إدريس عبدالله
_5 _March _2015هـ الموافق 5-03-2015م, 11:34 PM
Maimunah bint Al-Harith became one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) seven years after Muslims' emigration (Hijrah) from Makkah to Madinah. She had already been divorced once, after which she re-married and was later widowed.
Many women would have given up on love by then, but Maimunah's story was slightly different.
When she became Prophet Muhammad's wife, she was a vibrant and intelligent woman in her mid-20s and brought much wisdom to her third marriage.
It was through Maimunah that plenty of Islamic teachings were relayed to Muslims; one of them especially was the blessing of trust and faith in Islam.
Besides being known for her total submission to Allah and her steadfast support for her husband, Maimunah bint Al-Harith is another Mother of the Believers (an honorary title given to all the wives of Prophet Muhammad) who has narrated many Hadiths (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) — 76 to be precise. Many of these narrations have to do with the nature of the relationship between her and her husband so that Muslims can learn and emulate through their own relationships and reap the happiness that is promised between husband and wife.
When Prophet Muhammad initiated the marriage proposal to Maimunah, it was a huge family affair, and Prophet Muhammad spoke to her brother-in-law and her sister Umm Al-Fadl. The proposal was received with much joy and trust in Allah, and Maimunah accepted it willingly.
There is a verse from the Quran that says what means:
{O Prophet, We have made lawful for you… any believing woman who has offered herself to the Prophet and whom the Prophet wishes to wed- this is only for you [Prophet] and not the rest of the believers.} (33:50 (http://quran.com/33/50))
Many believe that this verse best suits Maimunah as her soul was firmly dedicated to her new husband.
According to some Muslim historians, it was Umm Al-Fadl and her husband Abbas who approached the Prophet to marry Maimunah and not the other way around. Umm Al-Fadl believed such a union would bring great benefit to the Muslim community, which was being built slowly on sturdy grounds. Prophet Muhammad accepted her suggestion and continued to pursue a marriage proposal with Maimunah herself, whom he already knew personally.
Prophet Muhammad was already very closely acquainted with Maimunah and Umm Al-Fadl's family, as they too were amongst the first Muslims during the initial revelation in Makkah. In fact, it was even narrated that Prophet Muhammad described Maimunah and her sisters as "the believing sisters", which was an amazing recognition for the entire family.
Her Marriage to the Prophet
Indeed, Umm Al-Fadl had been right in initiating the relationship. Prophet Muhammad, through his marriage with Maimunah, was led to opportunities to spread the teachings of Islam to the tribe of Banu Hilal (Maimunah's tribe), and consequentially, another important Muslim community began to grow and integrate with the first one.
Upon joining the Prophet's household, Maimunah became instrumental in strictly endorsing the Prophet's orders, by decree of Allah. Her passion towards her husband and her love for Islam were an emotional ride, but were always based on reason and logic.
It is reported that one day she was visited by a relative who seemed somewhat intoxicated. Upon seeing the condition of this relative, Maimunah became enraged. She warned him, "Purify yourself, or I will never let you come here again." Her relative was quick to obey her, realizing that Maimunah's piety weighed heavier than family relations, especially when her family's behavior contradicted Islamic principles.
Her passion for her family was driven by Islam, and she felt the constant need to protect others from the temptations of this world. Even until her death, she took care of her relatives and protected them. Aisha bint Abi Bakr, a wife of Prophet Muhammad, said: "Maimunah was the best amongst us, as she feared Allah most and maintained a close and continuous relationship with her kin." (Al-Hakim 8:181)
Maimunah amongst the Women
Aishah's recognition of Maimunah did not end there. Aisha always praised Maimunah's morals and dedication to Allah's directions.
Of course, the Mothers of the Believers were the women that no other could contend with, as they were all recognized as virtuous and strong Muslims who were hand-picked by Allah to teach and nurture the nascent Muslim community that was still learning about the faith.
There were several occasions on which Maimunah stepped up as the Prophet's consultant, advisor, and aid to help dispel ambiguity in rulings and to allow Muslims to witness first-hand how Islam should be practiced. She walked the talk of the Quran by virtue of Prophet Muhammad, rushed to his aid when he needed her, and maintained her love for Islam above all.
She provided all the ingredients of a thriving marriage. Through her sayings, she spoke of intimacy between husband and wife, like washing up from the same container of water and keeping a close watch on the emotions of one's spouse. All this indicates that Maimunah was picked as a wife for anything more than her zeal in nurturing a strong marriage, and it was only through her piety and submission to God that she achieved that.
It so happened that the night before Prophet Muhammad's departure from the world, he spent his day at Maimunah's home, as per his routine schedule. Maimunah, who was deeply dedicated and sensitive towards her husband's needs, sensed that he was at unease. He began asking her to suggest whose house he should spend his next night, as this was his tradition in parting from each wife's home.
Maimunah knew that it was not Aisha's turn yet, but as she saw her husband falling ill and weak, she knew best that he would want to spend the night with his most beloved wife. She asked him to leave her for Aisha's house, before rounding up the other wives, as if she felt it was time for him to leave the world.
Maimunah amongst the Muslims
Her complete submission to Allah and Prophet Muhammad encouraged her to denounce worldly pleasures and to worship and love for the sake of Islam only. Maimunah was known to the Muslims as a woman of charity. She freed slaves and cared for the poor. And it was through her actions that other Muslims followed suit.
Yet her participation in Muslim society was even more apparent during war. During the battles that took place in the Prophet's life time, it was Maimunah who mobilized the first female group who would accompany the men at war and provide medical aid and emotional support for the wounded.
For a woman who was later known to rarely leave her house after her husband's passing, Maimunah was actively involved in travelling with the Muslim army when they needed the help the most. With her husband leading the battles, she mostly felt that it was his right to have her by his side.
In many ways she served Islam throughout her entire life, relaying important aspects of Muslim life so that the torch of Islam would never die down. She took care of her kin and encouraged good relations amongst all Muslims. Moreover, she was always in the middle of action, leading by example and translating emotions into sense and logic, in hopes that her and her husband's behavior would be understood and adopted by the Muslim followers.
But over and above her zeal for charity and serving the Muslim community, Maimunah was still a romantic at heart. Her passion and emotional attachment to Prophet Muhammad, whom she outlived, lived on within her.
In the year 51 AH (after Hijrah), Maimunah fell ill in Makkah. Upon so, she said, "Get me out of Makkah. I will not die in Makkah," (Ibn Kathir 4:261).
She then asked to be transported to Sarf — the town in which she had spent her wedding night with her beloved husband, Prophet Muhammad — where she eventually passed away.
Many women would have given up on love by then, but Maimunah's story was slightly different.
When she became Prophet Muhammad's wife, she was a vibrant and intelligent woman in her mid-20s and brought much wisdom to her third marriage.
It was through Maimunah that plenty of Islamic teachings were relayed to Muslims; one of them especially was the blessing of trust and faith in Islam.
Besides being known for her total submission to Allah and her steadfast support for her husband, Maimunah bint Al-Harith is another Mother of the Believers (an honorary title given to all the wives of Prophet Muhammad) who has narrated many Hadiths (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) — 76 to be precise. Many of these narrations have to do with the nature of the relationship between her and her husband so that Muslims can learn and emulate through their own relationships and reap the happiness that is promised between husband and wife.
When Prophet Muhammad initiated the marriage proposal to Maimunah, it was a huge family affair, and Prophet Muhammad spoke to her brother-in-law and her sister Umm Al-Fadl. The proposal was received with much joy and trust in Allah, and Maimunah accepted it willingly.
There is a verse from the Quran that says what means:
{O Prophet, We have made lawful for you… any believing woman who has offered herself to the Prophet and whom the Prophet wishes to wed- this is only for you [Prophet] and not the rest of the believers.} (33:50 (http://quran.com/33/50))
Many believe that this verse best suits Maimunah as her soul was firmly dedicated to her new husband.
According to some Muslim historians, it was Umm Al-Fadl and her husband Abbas who approached the Prophet to marry Maimunah and not the other way around. Umm Al-Fadl believed such a union would bring great benefit to the Muslim community, which was being built slowly on sturdy grounds. Prophet Muhammad accepted her suggestion and continued to pursue a marriage proposal with Maimunah herself, whom he already knew personally.
Prophet Muhammad was already very closely acquainted with Maimunah and Umm Al-Fadl's family, as they too were amongst the first Muslims during the initial revelation in Makkah. In fact, it was even narrated that Prophet Muhammad described Maimunah and her sisters as "the believing sisters", which was an amazing recognition for the entire family.
Her Marriage to the Prophet
Indeed, Umm Al-Fadl had been right in initiating the relationship. Prophet Muhammad, through his marriage with Maimunah, was led to opportunities to spread the teachings of Islam to the tribe of Banu Hilal (Maimunah's tribe), and consequentially, another important Muslim community began to grow and integrate with the first one.
Upon joining the Prophet's household, Maimunah became instrumental in strictly endorsing the Prophet's orders, by decree of Allah. Her passion towards her husband and her love for Islam were an emotional ride, but were always based on reason and logic.
It is reported that one day she was visited by a relative who seemed somewhat intoxicated. Upon seeing the condition of this relative, Maimunah became enraged. She warned him, "Purify yourself, or I will never let you come here again." Her relative was quick to obey her, realizing that Maimunah's piety weighed heavier than family relations, especially when her family's behavior contradicted Islamic principles.
Her passion for her family was driven by Islam, and she felt the constant need to protect others from the temptations of this world. Even until her death, she took care of her relatives and protected them. Aisha bint Abi Bakr, a wife of Prophet Muhammad, said: "Maimunah was the best amongst us, as she feared Allah most and maintained a close and continuous relationship with her kin." (Al-Hakim 8:181)
Maimunah amongst the Women
Aishah's recognition of Maimunah did not end there. Aisha always praised Maimunah's morals and dedication to Allah's directions.
Of course, the Mothers of the Believers were the women that no other could contend with, as they were all recognized as virtuous and strong Muslims who were hand-picked by Allah to teach and nurture the nascent Muslim community that was still learning about the faith.
There were several occasions on which Maimunah stepped up as the Prophet's consultant, advisor, and aid to help dispel ambiguity in rulings and to allow Muslims to witness first-hand how Islam should be practiced. She walked the talk of the Quran by virtue of Prophet Muhammad, rushed to his aid when he needed her, and maintained her love for Islam above all.
She provided all the ingredients of a thriving marriage. Through her sayings, she spoke of intimacy between husband and wife, like washing up from the same container of water and keeping a close watch on the emotions of one's spouse. All this indicates that Maimunah was picked as a wife for anything more than her zeal in nurturing a strong marriage, and it was only through her piety and submission to God that she achieved that.
It so happened that the night before Prophet Muhammad's departure from the world, he spent his day at Maimunah's home, as per his routine schedule. Maimunah, who was deeply dedicated and sensitive towards her husband's needs, sensed that he was at unease. He began asking her to suggest whose house he should spend his next night, as this was his tradition in parting from each wife's home.
Maimunah knew that it was not Aisha's turn yet, but as she saw her husband falling ill and weak, she knew best that he would want to spend the night with his most beloved wife. She asked him to leave her for Aisha's house, before rounding up the other wives, as if she felt it was time for him to leave the world.
Maimunah amongst the Muslims
Her complete submission to Allah and Prophet Muhammad encouraged her to denounce worldly pleasures and to worship and love for the sake of Islam only. Maimunah was known to the Muslims as a woman of charity. She freed slaves and cared for the poor. And it was through her actions that other Muslims followed suit.
Yet her participation in Muslim society was even more apparent during war. During the battles that took place in the Prophet's life time, it was Maimunah who mobilized the first female group who would accompany the men at war and provide medical aid and emotional support for the wounded.
For a woman who was later known to rarely leave her house after her husband's passing, Maimunah was actively involved in travelling with the Muslim army when they needed the help the most. With her husband leading the battles, she mostly felt that it was his right to have her by his side.
In many ways she served Islam throughout her entire life, relaying important aspects of Muslim life so that the torch of Islam would never die down. She took care of her kin and encouraged good relations amongst all Muslims. Moreover, she was always in the middle of action, leading by example and translating emotions into sense and logic, in hopes that her and her husband's behavior would be understood and adopted by the Muslim followers.
But over and above her zeal for charity and serving the Muslim community, Maimunah was still a romantic at heart. Her passion and emotional attachment to Prophet Muhammad, whom she outlived, lived on within her.
In the year 51 AH (after Hijrah), Maimunah fell ill in Makkah. Upon so, she said, "Get me out of Makkah. I will not die in Makkah," (Ibn Kathir 4:261).
She then asked to be transported to Sarf — the town in which she had spent her wedding night with her beloved husband, Prophet Muhammad — where she eventually passed away.