Wives and children of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Sixth wife: Umm Salamah (Hind) bint Abu Ummayah al-Makhzumiya

Umm Salamah's real name was Hind bint Abu Umayyah al-Makhzumiya. She was noble by birth, intelligent, learned, wise and skillful. She was the daughter of one of the notables in the Makhzum clan of Quraysh nicknamed "Zad ar-Rakib" because he was well known for his generosity particularly to travellers. Umm Salamah inherited her father's trait as she was always amiable and kind to her neighbours.

She was amongst the first handful of converts to Islam, along with her husband Abdullah ibn Abd-al-Asad Makhzumi. Abdullah, also known as Abu Salamah, was a maternal cousin of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Umm Salamah and her husband undertook both emigrations of Muslims. After some time, they returned to Makkah, but after realising that the situation had not improved as they hoped, they again decided to emigrate to Madinah. Umm Salamah was the very first lady to migrate to Madinah.

Abu Salamah was known for his gentleness, and akhlaq (virtue), and the pair had a strong relationship. They had 4 children together, reported to be two boys and two girls.

Sadly, Abu Salamah was severely injured in the Battle of Uhud. He recovered a little but passed away few months later. On his death Umm Salamah came to him and said:

I have heard that if a man of Jannah dies, and his wife never re-marries that she will automatically go to him. And that if a woman of Jannah dies, and her husband never re-marries they will be reunited in Jannah. So lets make a promise to each other that we're not going to marry if one of us dies.

Umm Salamah makes pact with dying husband about not re-marrying

They both knew perfectly well that it'd be Umm Salamah who would have to fulfil this promise. But that was her way of consoling her husband and letting him know that she wasn't going to get married after he passes away. Abu Salamah asked her if she would you obey me. She replied "Yes, of course". He said, "then after I die, marry someone". Then Abu Salamah made a dua on his deathbed:

O Allah, bless her with a husband better than me who will take care of her and never harm or irritate her.

Abu Salamah prays that Allah give his wife a noble husband after he dies

Abu Salamah did not want his wife to be alone at her old age, and wants a good guardian for their children.

After the period of waiting was over, the first one to propose to Umm Salamah was Abu Bakr (ra). But she rejected him. After a while the Prophet (pbuh) came to her house and proposed directly to her.

Umm Salamah was known for her wisdom. She was one of the wisest of the Prophet's wives. She was also known for her high lineage, being a daughter of one of the elders of Quraysh. Even when the Prophet proposed she did not accept it automatically. She thanked him for his interest in her, but told him that there are 3 things he should know about her:

1. I am a woman that has jealousy and you're a man that already has wives. I am worried that jealousy will act up and displease you, which in turn with displease Allah.
2. I am a woman that is coming on on age and I'm not young any more.
3. I am a woman that has family, I have children.

The Prophet (pbuh) responded by saying that he'll pray to Allah to remove her jealousy. As for the age barrier, he joked "I am afflicted with the same calamity as you". And regarding the family, he said "as for your family, they are my family".

Satisfied with his answers, Umm Salamah accepted the proposal. The pair got married, probably in 4 A.H. in Shawwal or Ramadhan. The marriage took place few months after the Prophet (pbuh) married Zaynab bint Khuzayma al-Hilaliyah. Muhammad (pbuh) was around 56 years old while Umm Salamah may have been in her late 30s or 40s.

Advises the Prophet (pbuh) to go ahead with shaving hair after Treaty of Hudaibiyah

Umm Salamah had a lot of great contribution. But the most important story involving her was during the Treaty of Hudaibiyah.

The Treaty of Hudaibiyah was a 10-year peace treaty that was signed by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Makkans in 6 A.H. (circa 628 CE). The treaty allowed Muslims to preach peacefully, and the safe movement of people. But the Muslims had to return back to Madinah without doing umrah (minor pilgrimage) this year but were free to perform it from next year onward.

After concluding the treaty, the holy Prophet told the followers to slaughter sacrificial animals at the same place and get their head shaved to come out of ihram (clothes worn during pilgrimage). But the people were so dejected that they delayed the compliance. Muhammad (pbuh) was in a dilemma. He entered the tent and told his accompanying wife, Umm Salamah, about people's reluctance.

She politely suggested not negotiating with them and just stand up and shave his hair off. Let the followers see and they will copy you. Umm Salamah concluded that this was no time for negotiation. The Muslims are irritated. But if the Prophet (pbuh) shaved his head they will follow him. Be a leader and show in your action and the rest will follow. So the Prophet (pbuh) took her advice and without saying anything, called the barber and shaved his hair. When the Companions say this, they rushed to copy him. Thus the wisdom of Umm Salamah solved a internal, potentially explosive, problem.

Died at old age

Umm Salamah lived a long life. She was one of the last of Prophet's wives to die. She died in 59 A.H., i.e. outliving her husband Muhammad (pbuh) by nearly five decades. She was in her late 80s by this time. Abu Huraira led her janaza (funeral prayer).