Umm Salama Hind Bint Abi Umayya - Muhammad's Era

Muhammad's Era

Umm Salama and her husband, Abd-Allah ibn Abd-al-Asad, were among the first who converted to Islam. Only Ali and a few others were Muslims before them.

Her husband was killed from the wounds he received in the Battle of Uhud (23 March 625). Hind had one child named Umar bin Abi Salama.

Following Abdullah ibn Abdulasad’s death in the battle of Uhud she became known as Ayyin al-Arab - the one who had lost her husband. She had no family in Medina except her small children, but she was given support by both the Muhajirun and Ansar. When she completed the Iddah (i.e. the waiting period of a woman who is either divorced, seeks an annulment or her husband dies which in this case is) four months and ten days, Abu Bakr and then Umar asked to marry her but she declined. Muhammad then approached her and she accepted.

Umm Salama was married to Muhammad at the age of 29. Only his sixth and seventh wives (Umm Salamah and Zaynab, respectively) were his direct cousins whom he had known since their childhood. Umm Salamah was a widow with 3 children and a fourth born almost immediately after their marriage.

When Fatima bint Asad (mother of the 4th Caliph Ali) died, Prophet Muhammad chose her as the guardian of Al Sayeda Fatimah Al Zahra.

The Verse of Purification (33:33) in the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in her house.