Sunday, October 23, 2011

Ummu Haram in the Battle of Cyprus

Ummu Haram binti Milhan (ra) was an aunt of Anas bin Malik (ra). The Prophet (pbuh) often visited her and sometimes had his afternoon nap at her place. Once he was sleeping in her house and when he woke up smiling, Ummu Haram asked:
"O Prophet of Allah! you are dearer to me than my parents, tell me what made you smile?"

Prophet (pbuh) said:
"I saw in my dream a few of my followers going for Jihad across the sea. They in their barges looked like Kings sitting on their thrones."

Ummu Haram Said: "O, Prophet of Allah ! Pray that I may also be one among those people."

Prophet (pbuh) replied: "Rest assured, You will be one of them."
He went to sleep again and got up smiling for the second time. On Haram's query he said:
"I again saw some more people going for Jihad across the sea."

 
Ummu Haram requested him to pray for her joining them also.

Prophet (pbuh) said:
"No, you are with the first group only."
Ummu Haram was granted a long life by Allah (SWT). During the Khilafat of Usman (ra) Amir Muawiyah, the Governor of Syria, sought permission to send an expeditionary force to Cyprus Island. This permission was granted by Usman (ra). Ummu Haram, with her husband Abadah (ra) was in that force. While returning from the Island she fell from her mule broke her neck and died. She was buried in Cyprus. A monument in the form of a mosque was built in her honor.

Look at the spirit of Ummu Haram. She wanted to join both the expeditions. As she was destined to die during the first expedition the Prophet (pbuh) did not pray her participation in the second one.


Such was the bravery and the heroism of a Muslim woman in the time of the Prophet (pbuh), and her longing for the "shaheed" in the way of Allah (SWT). Ummu Haram was solely hoping for rewards from Allah (SWT) ie. Firdausil A'la (the Highest Paradise). May the Muslimah of today be able to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors - Ameen!

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