Heroines of Tawheed: Sumayyah the first martyr of Islam

It is the Sunnah of Allah that He tests those whom He loves. And as we know the true believers do not leave this dunya until they are tested by Allah azza wa jall and there are many ayaat in the Qur'an that indicate this. For example,

أم حسبتم أن تدخلوا الجنة ولما يأتكم مثل الذين خلوا من قبلكم مستهم البأساء والضراء وزلزلوا حتى يقول الرسول والذين ءامنوا معه متى نصر الله ألا إن نصر الله قريب
Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the Help of Allah?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!

The Jannah of Allah is not cheap, it is indeed expensive. And the companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم were people who gave their souls generously in the path of Allah. They saw their souls cheap and would have loved to die in the path of Allah over and over again.
Many of the Sahaba who died Fe sabilillaah were men, the women were few, that is why the name Sumayyah rings a bell to many of us when we hear stories of the sacrifices of the early Muslims.

She was Umm Ammar

I don't wish to retell the story of Sumayyah, may Allah be pleased with her. But mentioning her story is one of the greatest iman boosters.
Subhan Allah this mother endured pain and torture and ended up losing her life. But indeed she earned the الفوز الكبير
Or the Great Success.

Nowadays people compromise their religion for the smallest worldly things and they forgot that والآخرة خير وأبقى

The hereafter is better and everlasting

Sisters take off their hijabs for the slightest things such as a job interview, school, work. Brothers shave their beards and shake hands with kuffar women based on what?? Don't they fear Allah. If these people can't accept you for who you are-a Muslim, then they are not worthy of you.
Look at how our mother Sumayyah held on to her Deen. She held on to it until she lost her life. Until she breathed her last. She had yaqeen in Allah that the Hereafter is worth it and not the Dunya. That sacrifice for the sake of Allah is the greatest of proof of your belief.
Some Muslims miss their prayers. The Faraidh, the prayers that are the second pillar of Islam. Many Muslims take this issue do lightly. Ya'ni did the blood and sweat of the Sahaba go to waste?? Is this what we have come down to??
Please let us wake up and turn to Allah. Our Deen is beautiful and easy and simple.
Allah said so. His messenger said so.
Some sisters tell me, "it's hard " No dear sister it's not hard! You are just weak. Allah has told the truth and your nafs is deceiving you and lying to you so wake up.
Let us learn and relive the moments with this great Giants of Islam. These individuals who learnt and lived La ilaha illa Allah

Heroines of Tawheed: 'Atikah the Wife of Martyrs

I’m sure the name ’Atikah bint Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail sounds familiar to you. Yes, she is the daughter of the great Zaid bin ’Amr bin Nufail, the man who followed the religion of Ibrahim (‘alayhi asalam) shortly before the revelation was brought down to our Prophet (salah allahu ‘alayhi wa salam) and he is to be resurrected ‘as a nation by himself’. Her brother is none other than Sa’eed bin Zaid, one of the ten ‘mubashireen bil Jannah’ or given the glad-tidings of Paradise. ‘Atikah herself is a great Sahabiya, better known as ‘the wife of martyrs’.

‘Atikah (radhiya Allah ‘anha) was known to have such beauty. She was remarkably beautiful, well-mannered, and very pious. She accepted Islam early on and made Hijrah to Madinah. She was first married to 'Abdullah bin Abi Bakr (radhiya Allahu ‘anhu). It is said that ‘Abdullah was so consumed with spending time with her that his father, Abu Bakr, ordered him to divorce her because he was becoming distracted from his worship. However, when he saw how much he loved her, he asked him to reconcile with her again. They loved each other so much to the extent that he gave her a share of his wealth (a garden) and made her vow that she would not marry anyone after him. Shortly after, he was martyred in the battle of Al-Ta’ef and she recited these famous lines in mourning of his death:

آليت لا تنفك نفسي حزينة عليك * ولا ينفك جلديأ غبرا

She vowed that her eye would not dry of his mourning and she would never beautify herself for another man again. However, soon enough, she overcame the incident by one great man’s offer for her hand so she was married to none other than her cousin, the Khalifah, ‘Umar bin Khattab (radhiya Allahu ‘anhu). ’Umar was also martyred soon after. Once she completed her ‘Iddah, the well-known Sahabi Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam (radhiya Allahu ‘anhu) proposed to her, and they were soon wed. Like his predecessors, he was also granted martyrdom in Wadi Al-Siba‘. Finally, the Prophet’s blessed grandson, Al-Husain bin ‘Ali (radhiya Allahu ‘anhu), married her until he was given martyrdom in Karbala.

Not only were all of ‘Atikah’s husbands elite companions of the Prophet (salah allahu ‘alayih wa salam) but she was honored by Allah that they all died as martyrs during her marriage to them. She was an extremely devout wife and this caused many of the righteous men to seek her in marriage.

It is reported that ‘Abdullah bin ’Umar said, ‘Whoever wants to acquire martyrdom, let him marry ‘Atikah bint Zaid."

Do you love your mother?

Do you have a mother? Do you love her and adore her? Or do you disrespect her, shout at her and disobey her?

Did you know that being dutiful to your mother is an easy way to gain rewards and enter Paradise in sha Allah! This is so long as you do not indulge in any of the major sins! 

My dear sister in Islam! Be careful how you treat your mother. You may not even recall the sleepless nights and stress she experienced raising you.  I leave you with these ayaat and ahadeeth on the high status Islaam has given our mothers. 

The next time you raise your voice at your mother or curse at her or turn away from her or ignore, remember just who it is you are dealing with!

Allah says,

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.[Surat Luqman:14]

And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship and she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty (30) months, till when he attains full strength and reaches forty years, he says: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my off-spring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims (submitting to Your Will)."[Al Ahqaf:15]

Abu 'Isa Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah has forbidden you: disobedience to your mothers, to withhold (what you should give), or demand (what you do not deserve), and to bury your daughters alive. And Allah dislikes idle talk, to ask too many questions (for things which will be of no benefit to one), and to waste your wealth".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

It was narrated that Mu’awiyah bin Jahimah As-Sulaimi said:

“I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I want to go for Jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allah and the Hereafter.’ He said: ‘Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?’ I said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Go back and honor her.’ Then I approached him from the other side and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I want to go for Jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allah and the Hereafter.’ He said: ‘Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?’ I said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Go back and honour her.’ Then I approached him from in front and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I want to go for Jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allah and the Hereafter.’ He said: ‘Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?’ I said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Go back and serve her, for there is Paradise.’” 

[Sunan Ibn Majah, sahih]

'Ata' ibn Yasar said that a man came to Ibn 'Abbas and said, "I asked a woman to marry me and she refused to marry me. Another man asked her and she agreed to marry him. I became jealous and killed her. Is there any way for me to repent?" He asked, "Is your mother alive?" "No," he replied. He said, "repent to Allah Almighty and try to draw near Him as much as you can."
So I went and asked Ibn `Abbas why he inquired about the man's mother. He replied:

"I don't know of a deed closer to Allah, Exalted and Majestic, other than dutifulness to the mother."

[Sahih al Adab al Mufrad]

It is reported that al-Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "Allah enjoins you to be dutiful to your mothers. Then He enjoins you to be dutiful to your mothers. Then He enjoins you to be dutiful to your fathers. Then He enjoins you to be dutiful to your next closest relative and then to your next closest relative."

[Sahih al Adab al Mufrad]

It was narrated from Mu'awiyah bin Jahimah As-Sulami, that Jahimah came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said:

"O Messenger of Allah! I want to go out and fight (in Jihad) and I have come to ask your advice." He said: "Do you have a mother?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Then stay with her, for Paradise is beneath her feet."

[Sunan al Nasaai, sahih]

Islaam has honored our mothers to such an extent that even if they are non Muslims we are ordered to still maintain good ties of kinship. The proof for this is in the story of Asmaa bint Abi Bakr (ra) whose non muslim mother came to visit her in al Madinah.

Narrated Asma':

"My mother who was a Mushrikah (pagan, etc.), came with her father during the period of peace pact between the Muslims and the Quraish infidels. I went to seek the advice of the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "My mother has arrived and she is hoping (for my favor)." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Yes, be good to your mother."

[Sahih al Bukhari]

Heroines of Tawheed: Asmaa bint Omays

She was Saahibatul Hijratayn(The companion of the 2 Hijrahs). 
Umm Abdillaah, Asmaa bint 'Omays.  She was from Makkah.  She was the sister in law of the prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) because her sister Maymuna bint al Haarith, was the last among the wives of the Messenger of Allah(صلى الله عليه وسلم).

She was also the sister in law of Hamza ibn AbdulMuttalib because he had married her sister, Salma bint 'Omays. She was also the sister in law of al Abbas ibn AbdulMuttalib because he had married her sister, Lubabah al Kubra also known as Umm Fadhl.

Asmaa accepted Islaam before the Muslims entered Daar al Arqam making her among the very first converts to Islaam. She was the wife of Ja'far ibn Abi Taalib, the paternal cousin of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) . Asmaa and her family fled with their Deen and from the persecution of Quraysh to the land of al Habasha also known as Abysinnia at the time.

Asmaa was a strong, patient and courageous woman. Just to show us an example of her strength and eeman we will look at the incident which took place between her and Umar ibn al Khattab(may Allah be pleased with them both).

Asmaa the Muhaajirah

After the Battle of Khaybar, the Muhajiroon in Abyssinia made hijra to Madinah. Their arrival pleased the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم) so much that he did not know which pleased him more, the victory of Khaybar or their arrival. Subhan Allah!

Asmaa was with this group of muhajireen. They were more than happy to finally be united with the Prophet of Allah(صلى الله عليه وسلم).  However, they were disappointed that they had missed out on most of the battles with Allah's Messenger(صلى الله عليه وسلم) and other historical moments.

Umar entered the house of his daughter, Hafsa, one of the mothers of the believers. He saw a woman sitting with her and asked who she was. Asmaa replied, "I am Asmaa the daughter of Omays." 

So Umar remarked,  "The Habashiya, the sea-faring lady.?" Asma said,  "Yes." 

Umar went on,  "We have beat you to hijrah so we have more right to Allah's Messenger than you!" 

These words really bothered  and upset Asmaa so she daringly replied to the son of al Khattab(radiya Allahu anhu), "No by Allah ya Umar!

You were gifted with the company of Allah's Messenger so he fed the hungry among you and taught the ignorant among you. Whereas we were in a far away, strange land and that was all for the sake of Allah and His Messenger!"

She continued, " And wallahi I will neither eat nor drink until I inform Allah's Messenger about what you have said."

And she walked off. Subhan Allah what a courageous woman to speak to Umar like that! The Umar whom the other women would not even talk when in his presence while not shying away from raising their voices over the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم). 

The Umar whom the Shaytaan would not dare cross paths with! 

As for this brave woman,  she did not fear anyone nor did she fear the blame of the blamers. She was a lioness of Tawheed. 

And how proud was she of the beautiful words of Allah's Messenger(صلى الله عليه وسلم) which refuted Umar's words.

"Umar is not more deserving of my companionship than you..you have two Hijrahs oh people of the ship!"

Later on, the people of the ship(those who made hijrah to Abyssinia) like Abu Musa al Ashari would visit Asmaa just to hear this hadeeth over and over again. 

Asmaa the wife of the Martyr

Ja'far ibn Abi Talib was killed in the Battle of Mutah. He left behind many small children and a widow, Asmaa.

The army returned victorious to Madinah. Asmaa had prepared herself and her children to welcome their father. Little did she know...he was not among them. 

Asmaa saw the figure of a man who very much resembled her husband approaching the house. Her heart skipped a beat, she and her children were very excited. As the figure got closer and became more apparent, Asmaa realized it was not her husband Ja'far but the Prophet of Allah(صلى الله عليه وسلم). Asmaa noticed the sad look on his blessed face and immediately she realized something had happened. 

The children of Ja'far ran to our Habeeb(peace be upon him) and he hugged them,  tears streaming down his glorious face. 

Asmaa asked,"Where is my husband? Where is Ja'far?"

He replied,  "Ja'far is dead. He has been martyred."

Asmaa's heart dropped,  she screamed and began to cry,  turning away.

Imagine the situation. Losing your one and only love, your closest companion and the father of your small children. Asmaa was in pain and shock. 

It was not that she was displeased with the Qadar of Allah but she was human so her reaction was natural. When you love someone so much, the thought of just losing them is very difficult but everything happens for a reason. Allah is Al Hakeem(All-Wise) and Ar-Raheem( The Most Merciful).

When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)saw Asmaa's reaction to the news of her husband's shahaadah, he said,
"For the likes of Ja'far, let women weep."

As the weeks went by, our heroine sought help in Allah through prayer and patience. Once she completed her iddah(waiting period), Abu Bakr al Siddeeq approached her for marriage. Asmaa accepted. And it wasn't long until she bore him a son named Muhammad. 

Later on when Abu Bakr passed away,  Ali ibn Abi Talib married her and she bore him three children. 

May Allah be pleased with Asmaa. What a strong,courageous and patient woman she was!

This is the path...

THIS IS THE PATH OF ISLAM

This is the path of Laa Ilaaha Illallah.

This is the path that the neck of Zakariyyah was cut for.

This is the path that Yahya was split in half for.

This is the path that Muhammad sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was at a time a wanted man.

This is the path that Uthman falls dead in his own blood.

This is the path Ahmad Ibn Hanbal spends a large portion of his life in prison.

This is the path Ibn Taymiyyah died in prison.

This is the path the great heroes of the world asked for because this is the path of Laa Ilaaha Illallah Muhammadar-Rasoolullah, this is what you were created and brought on to this earth for.

I tell you this, if you are a Muslim and you do not have problems, double check your faith.

Wallahi this is not my word, this is the word of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam from the meanings of his Hadith, and this is the word of the scholars after him.

(Shaykh Ahmad Musa Jibril حفظه الله)

3 things that sicken and ruin the body!

Three Things sickens the body:

•Talking too much.
•Sleeping too much.
•Eating too much.

Four things destroys the body:

•Stress.
•Grief.
•Hunger.
•Staying up late at night.

-Ibnul-Qayyim in Zaad Al Ma'ad, V. 378 Pg.4

Seek knowledge Sisters! It is the only way!

Bismillaah,

Imam ibn Katheer(rahimahullah) says regarding Allah's statement in Surah al Mujadilah:

[يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَـتٍ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ]

(Allah will exalt in degrees those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.) 

meaning, do not think that if one of you makes room for his brother, or rises up when he is commanded to do so, that this will diminish his right or honor. Rather, this will increase his virtue and status with Allah, and Allah the Exalted will never make his good deed be lost. To the contrary, He will reward him for it in this life and the Hereafter. Surely, he who humbles himself by and before the command of his Lord, then Allah will elevate his status and make him known by his good behavior. 

Allah also says, [وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْماً]

and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.'' (Surah Taha:114)

meaning, Give me more knowledge from You.

Sufyan Ibn `Uyaynah said, The Prophet did not cease increasing (in knowledge) until Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, took him (i.e. he died).

Imam Ahmad recorded that`Umar appointed Abu At-Tufayl to be the governor of Makkah. `Umar asked him, "Whom did you appoint as your deputy for the valley people (that is, Makkah).'' `Amir said, "I appointed Ibn Abza, one of our freed slaves, as my deputy.'' `Umar said, "You made a freed slave their governor in your absence'?!' He said, "O Leader of the faithful! He has memorized Allah's Book and has knowledge of regulations of inheritance, along with being a proficient judge.'' 

`Umar said, "Surely, your Prophet has said,

«إِنَّ اللهَ يَرْفَعُ بِهذَا الْكِتَابِ قَوْمًا وَيَضَعُ بِهِ آخَرِين»

meaning: Indeed Allah raises a people with this book(the Quran) and humiliates with it others.


There are many evidences from the Quran and Sunnah on the virtues of knowledge and seeking it.

In an authentic hadeeth, the prophet(sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, Knowledge is mandatory on every muslim. (Sunan an-Nasai)

Knowledge is for the Muslim-man or woman. In these times, where ignorance is widespread and rampant, it is only fair to say that it is indeed waajib upon us to go back to learning our Deen. We chose to come to migrate to non-Muslim lands(Darul Kufr), many of the Muslims have gotten married and settled down. We decided to have children and raise them in this kind of environment. There is no doubt that it is indeed a great fitna to raise righteous muslims in a society that not only rejects Islam but promotes indecency, disbelief, and all sorts of filth. 

 So after all this, we are still sitting back from teaching our children Islam?! How can we teach them Islam if we ourselves, the mothers are not learning the deen or practicing Islam(in many cases)?! Sisters, we are to produce the next generation of Muslims! Are we ready for this and are we responsible enough?


O mother, O sister in Islam, in what situation do you want to meet Allah? In what situation do you want to leave your children in this dunyaa? Do you want to leave them and they dont know how to pray properly? Do you want to leave them and they cant even recite one ayah from the Quran properly? Do you want to leave them and they dont wear correct hijaab(if they have passed puberty)? Do you want to leave them knowing they are not attached to the masajid-the places of knowledge and eemaan? Think about it. You will be questioned and held accountable for leaving them in this state. Understand that you are responsible for your family sisters!

Allahs tells us to protect ourselves and our families from the Hellfire. Therefore, it is no joking matter. 

With knowledge, the Muslim woman attains so much. 
She plays a major role in the victory of the Ummah.


So let us make sure we-the women of this ummah are practicing Islam, learning what Allah has made obligatory on us to learn so that  we can worshipAllah the right way and to instill in our children the love of Allah and His Rasul and the love for knowledge and its people.
 Dear akhawaat, victory doesn't come by itself, it is sought and earned! 

A wise person once said, 

"the one who reclines on the wisaada(pillow) will never reach the saada(leadership, high state)."