"Surely, the true religion in Allah's sight is Islam" (3:19)
Biographies of the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
In his eloquent, emotional, charismatic style, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood, describes the Sunni view of the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib and his family and companions (Radi’Allahu Ta’ala Anhum Ajma’in Wa Rahmat’Allah Alayhim Ajma’in) in 61 AH in the sands of Karbala, in present-day Iraq.
In this lecture, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood gives some insight into the life of Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali.
After the demise of Hazrat Khadijah , the Holy Prophet Muhammad was much worried and grief stricken. He had to look after his child and attend to the household chores, adding considerably to the agony of the death of his loving wife. This also caused hindrance in his Prophetic mission. Seeing him worried and distressed, Hazrat Khawlah bint Hakeem , wife of Hazrat Uthman bin Maz’oon , suggested to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) that he badly needed a companion to help him in running his house and looking after his children, and proposed the name of Hazrat Sawdah who was an elderly widow.
Hazrat Sawdah and her late husband Hazrat Sakran, were early converts to Islam, and also had the honour of having migrated to Abyssinia. Therefore, they were very much close and dear to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). On return from Abyssinia, Hazrat Sakran (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) passed away. Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) was now left a forlorn widow with a baby.
On receipt of the suggestion, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) considered it carefully. The mission of Prophethood now demanded much time, but due to him being preoccupied in household affairs, he could not devote enough time to his heavenly mission. He therefore accepted the proposal also taking into consideration that an early convert to Islam may be helped and honoured, and approved Hazrat Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) to negotiate for his marriage with Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha).
Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha ) went straight to Hazrat Zum’aa bin Qais , the father of Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma), and after exchanging compliments conveyed the message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). Hazrat Zum’aa (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) was much pleased and remarked that: “Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) comes from a very respectable family and is a perfect gentleman and that any father would feel proud of marrying his daughter to him.” He further suggested to Hazrat Khawlah that Hazrat Sawdah should also be consulted in this connection. Hazrat Khawlah then went to Hazrat Sawdah and conveyed the message of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and added that Hazrat Sawdah had already obtained the approval of her father for the marriage. Hazrat Sawdah [Radhiyallahu-Anha ] expressed her consent and happiness in the marriage. The marriage was settled and Hazrat Sawdah was married with Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ). The Nikah Khutbah (sermon) was read by Hazrat Sawdah’s (Radhiyallahu-Anha) father himself. Hazrat Sawdah was 55 at the time of this marriage.
By this marriage the house of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) was once more aglow with warmth and happiness. Hazrat Fatimah and Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma ) were the two orphaned daughters of Prophet[s.a.w.] Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) used to love these two daughters very affectionately, so much so that nobody could even doubt that she was not their real mother. Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) had no children from the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ) However, from her first husband (Hazrat Sakran ) she had a son named Hazrat Abdur-Rahmaan (Radhiyallahu-Anhu). He fell a martyr fighting in the battle of Jalula.
Five traditions are said to have been narrated by Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha). Out of these one finds place in Bukhari Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) was generous, hospitable, kind and affectionate. Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) once sent her a purse full of Dirhams, she at once distributed those coins. She was distinguished in self-sacrifice. She was ready to forego her rights and privileges for the sake of others. She was also jovial by nature. Hazrat Sawdah used to please the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and her friends through healthy jokes and jest.
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FATIMAH TUZ ZAHRAH (r.a) – DUAGHTER OF MUHAMMAD (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Fatimah (R.A.) was youngest in age of all her sisters but highest in grades. She was dearest to her father of all his daughters. He once said, “Fatimah is like soul and heart to me.” once, he said, “Fatimah will be the leader of the women in Paradise.” he further said, “What troubles Fatimah troubles me as well.”
It was the sixth year of Prophethood and Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had launched his preaching mission but his own clan were impeding in his way. The people of the Quraysh were trying every trick to trouble him. One day while he was performing Salãh in the Haram, on the instigation of the pagans of Makkak, Aqabah ibn Moeet brought the entrails of a camel and placed it on his neck whilst he was prostrating. Someone told Fatimah (R.A.) who was then just six years old. She came running and removed the stuff and cursed the non-believers. She, at such an early age beheld the tribulations and torments Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was being subject to.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) awarded her the title of ‘lady of Paradise’.
It has been reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said, “On the Day of Resurrection a voice will be heard saying ‘ lower you heads, Fatimah bint Muhammad is being escorted along,’ then Fatimah will cross the pathway to Paradise in a flash leading seventy thousand Hoors (heavenly women).”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) confided only to Fatimah (R.A.) during his last days that he would die of his illness. She wept to hear that but Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) whispered to her that she would follow him which brought delight on her face and she smiled.
Rasulullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) beloved wives pressed her much to disclose that secret, but she didn’t. She revealed it, however after his demise.
source: Attarbiyah Magazine
UMME KULTHUM (r.a) – DAUGHTER OF MUHAMMAD (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Umme Kulthum (R.A) was Rasulullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) third daughter. She too, was married like her sister to the son of Abu Lahab, Utaiba. Utaiba too like his brother, divorced Umme Khulthum (R.A).
When her elder sister Ruqayyah (R.A) passed away, Umme Kulthum was given in marriage to Uthman (R.A.).
A narratable situation had arisen on that occasion.
Hafsa (R.A) the daughter of Umar (R.A) had become a widow when she was only 18 years old. Umar (R.A) offered Uthman (R.A) to take her in marriage who was very disconsolate after the death of Ruqayyah but he refused. Umar (R.A) was hurt by his refusal.
He then went to Abu Bakr (R.A) whom he counted as his best friend and made to him the same offer. His evasive answer disappointed him even more.
Umar (R.A) went to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and gave vent to his grievance. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said to him, “Behold! I will show you a better son-in-law than Uthman, and I will show him a better father-in-law than you.” “So be it.” said Sayyidinah Umar (R.A) with a glee on his face.
Umar (R.A) in a moment’s reflection found that the better man referred to was none other than Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who would himself take Hafsa (R.A) in his marriage and who would become, for the second time the father-in-law of Uthman (R.A) by giving him in marriage Ruqayyah’s (R.A) sister Umme Kulthum (R.A).
source: Attarbiyah Magazine
RUQAYYAH (r.a) – DAUGHTER OF MUHAMMAD (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Ruqayyah (R.A.) was Rasulullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) second daughter. She was married to Utba the son of Abu Lahab. Abu Lahab was the uncle of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) but had become his violent enemy and of Islãm and its followers.
Both father and son did not enter into Islãm and Utba repudiated Ruqayyah (R.A.) on the incitement of his father. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) gave Ruqayyah (R.A.) in marriage to Uthman ibn Affãn (R.A.).
When the battle of Badr took place, Ruqayyah (R.A.) was seriosly ill. Uthman (R.A.) had the desire to fight but Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked him to stay at home and take care of his sick wife. He told him that he would be rewarded equal to the participants. He marked him ’Fighter of Badr’ and gave him his share in the booty.
Ruqayyah (R.A.) passed away on the day the Muslims returned victorious.
source: Attarbiyah Magazine
ZAYNAB (r.a) – DAUGHTER OF MUHAMMAD (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Zaynab (R.A.) was the eldest of the four daughters of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Zaynab (R.A.) was married to Abdul As ibn Rabi, who was also the first cousin of Zaynab (R.A.), son of Khadija’s (R.A.) sister Hala. After Prophethood her husband did not accept Islãm and the leaders of his clan put great pressure upon him to divorce her and in return promised him to arrange the bride of his choice. But he didn’t.
Later Zaynab (R.A.) went to Madinah with other emigrants. Abdul As let her go with a heavy heart. The news of her journey leaked and some miscreants of the Quraysh followed them to bring her back. One of them, Habbãr by name, galloped ahead brandishing his spear. Zaynab (R.A.) was troubled much by his arrival. The camel, she was mounted on was startled and she fell down from her howdah (carriage). She was expecting her third child and later she had a miscarriage.
Not long after Hijrah, Abdul As came to Madinah and embraced Islãm. His wife Zaynab (R.A.) ever praying to Allah that He may turn his heart to Islãm owing to the deep love between the spouses, was grateful to Allah. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) allowed his daughter Zaynab (R.A.) to reinstate the suspended bond of marriage.
source: Attarbiyah Magazine