01-25-2007, 09:56 PM
STORY OF UMMU SULAIM
Ummu Sulaim (radhiallaho anho) was the mother of Anas (radhiallaho anho). After the death of her husband she remained a widow for some time with a view to devoting herself to the proper upbringing for her son. She was then married to Abu Talhah (radhiallaho anho) and got a son named Abu Umair from him. The Prophet (sallallaho alaihi wasallam0 used to go to her house and play with the child.
One day Abu Umair was ill and Abu Talhah was fasting. While Abu Talhah was out on his job the child died. She washed and enshrouded the dead body and laid it on the cot. She then herself took bath, changed her clothes and made her toilet. When the husband returned home and had his Iftar he asked her:" How is the child ?"
She replied: " He is now in peace."
He was satisfied. The couple shared the bed for the night. When they got up in the morning they had the following conversation.:
Ummu sulaim: " I have a question to ask you"
Abu Tahalha: " What is that ?"
Ummu Sulaim: " Suppose a person is enterusted with something. Should he deliver up on demand that which is entrusted to him or not."
Abu Talhah: " He Must deliver up. He has no right to hold back."
Ummu Sulaim: " Abu Umair was entrusted to us by Allah. He has taken him back."
Abu Talhah was filled with grief. He simply said: " But why did you not inform me before ?"
He went to the Prophet (sallallaho alaihi wasallam) and narrated the story to him. He prayed for him and said: " Allah is likely to bless your sharing the bed with your wife last night."
Once the Sahabah says: " I lived to see the effect of the Prophet's blessing. As a result of his union with his wife on that night Abu Talhah got a son named Abdullah. This Abdullah had nine sons, all of whom were Oaris."
It needs much courage and patience to do what Ummu Sulaim (radhiallaho anho) did at the death of her son. She did not like her husband to know about the death of the child while he was fasting and while he needed food and rest.