When we think of a woman living a thousand years ago, we envision a docile, compliant person burdened by chores, insignificant in societal affairs. The life of Umm Sulaim (also known as Ghumiysa) could not be further from the truth. She was woman of that time blazing new paths and venturing into unchartered ground for the sake of Allah, His Deen and her love for His Messenger (SAW).
First, she did one of the most dangerous yet brave things of her time: accept Islam, which alludes to her clear mind and intelligence. She then began a difficult and patient journey to inviting her then abusive husband, Malik bin Nadhan, to Islam. He did eventually accept it but had left her and gotten killed. She had a son, Anas, whom she gave in the service of the Rasul (SAW) for 10 years and asked him to pray for the best for him in this world and the next.
Then came a tempting test in the form of a marriage proposal, from a highly eligible, handsome, rich and famous man, Abu Talhah, who was not muslim. She repeatedly turned down his offer, explaining that normally she would never have rejected him but had to due to his not being blessed with Islam, but he persisted. In a highly intelligent and effective way, she preached the deen to him and he ultimately understood her arguments; she asked that her Mahr in their marriage be his acceptance of Islam.
Perhaps the most well-known of the stories of her life came next, which exemplified a level of patience unheard of and unmatched. Her infant son died the night her husband returned from hard work and she decided to fulfill all her obligations to him as a wife. At the end of their evening together, she took him to their son’s body and told him that Allah had taken back the son that He had entrusted to their care. Allah rewarded her with a righteous son thereafter, as well as 9 grandsons, all of whom were Hufadh.
In the Battle of Uhud, she fed thirsty and wounded soldiers water while pregnant. She also actively aided the army in the Battle of Hunayn, carrying with her a spear for protection, and upon hearing about this, the Rasul (SAW) smiled.
She and her family were close and beloved to the Rasul (SAW), and he often prayed for their dunya and akhira. Anas bin Malik lived to be 103 years old, with a life of wealth and respect, and had 80 children, many of whom were scholars. She, Umm Sulaim, received the ultimate, most enviable prize: The Prophet (SAW) said: “When I entered the paradise, I heard someone’s footsteps- it was explained to me that she was Ghumiysa bint Milhan”.
