Mother of Believers Maimunah bint al-Harits

The First Believer, Maimunah bint al-Harith bin Hazn al-Hilali was the last woman married to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Not many know this Bani Hilal noble woman. Now, let's get to know him. Because he is our mother, mother of those who believe.

Nasab

Ummah Muminin Maimunah was the daughter of al-Harits bin Hazn ibn Bujair ibn al-Hazm bin Ruwaibah bin Abdullah bin Hilal. He was born 29 years before hijrah and died in 51 H. Along with 593 AD and died in 671 M. His mother was named Hind bint Auf bin Zuhair bin al-Harith bin Hamathah bin Humair.

The siblings of the First Believers, Maimunah, were Umad Fadhl Lubabah al-Kubra bint al-Harits who was the wife of al-Abbas bin Abdul Muthalib, uncle of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Then Lubabah ash-Shugra Ashma bint al-Harits. He was the wife of al-Walid bin al-Mughirah and the mother of Khalid bin al-Walid Saifullah radhiallahu ‘anhu. Then Lubabah ash-Shugra married Ubay bin Khalaf al-Jahmi. From him, he has a child named Aban and others. The next sister was Izzah binti al-Harits who was the wife of Ziyad bin Abdullah bin Malik. They are all brothers and sisters and Maimunah's mothers. As for his mother's sister, Asma bint Umais who was the wife of Ja'far bin Abu Talib (Tabari Muhibbuddin: as-Simthu ats-Tsamin, p. 189)

Some say, the woman who has the best daughter-in-law in this world is Hind bint Auf bin al-Harits, the mother of the Believers Maimunah radhiallahu ha anha. His son-in-law is al-Abbas and Hamzah. Two sons of Abdul Muthalib. Abbas married his daughter Lubabah al-Kubra bint al-Harits. And Hamzah married Salma binti Umais.

The other maids are Ja'far and Ali. Two sons of Abu Talib. Both of them married Asma binti Umais. First Asma is married to Ja'far. After Ja'far died in the War of Mu'tah and Asma finished the period of his prayer, he was married by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq. Then just married Ali bin Abu Talib. When Hamzah died at the Battle of Uhud, Salma was married to Usamah bin al-Hadi al-Laitsi.

And his best son-in-law was of course the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam who married two of his daughters. First the First Faithful Prophet Zainab bint Khuzaimah radhiallahu ‘anha. After he died, in the next period the Prophet married the Muslim Brotherhood Maimunah binti al-Harith (al-Ashami: Simthu an-Nujum al-Awali, 1/201).

If you only see from a worldly perspective; position, nasab, and character, of course the name al-Walid bin al-Mughirah -ahah Khalid bin al-Walid- will be a complement to how charming the sons-in-law of Hind binti Auf. However, the spiritual perspective is more important for us. So that it does not make al-Walid an added glory for him. Allah Ta'ala believed about the value of an unbeliever,

أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَائِهِ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَزْنًا

"Those who have kufr against the verses of their Lord and (kufr against) encounter with Him, then erase their deeds, and We do not make an assessment for them on the Day of Judgment." [Quran Al-Kahf: 105].


Its glory

The First Believer Maimunah bint al-Harith was respected by other wives. Because he was the sister of Umad Fadhl, the wife of the uncle of the prophet, al-Abbas bin Abdul Muthalib radhiallahu ‘anhu. Then aunt from Khalid bin al-Walid. And also aunt Abdullah bin Abbas (adz-Dzahabi: Siyar A'lam an-Nubala, 2/238).

Another feature of Maimunah's mother was that she narrated the seven hadith contained in Shahih al-Bukhari and Muslim. One hadith narrated by al-Bukhari only. Five hadiths by Muslims only. And the total hadiths he recites are thirteen hadith (adz-Dzahabi: Siyar A'lam an-Nubala, 2/238).

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam called Umm Al-mu'minin Maimunah and his sisters as believers. From Abdullah bin Abbas radhiallahu ‘anhuma, the Prophet sallallaahu‘ alaihi wa sallam said,

الأخوات مؤمنات: ميمونة زوج النبي, وأم الفضل بنت الحارث, وسلمى امرأة حمزة, وأسماء بنت عميس هي أختهن لأمهن

"The believing sisters are Maimunah, the wife of the Prophet, Umm Fadhl bint al-Harith, Salma the wife of Hamzah, and Asma bint Umais who is their mother's brother." (Narrated by al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak 6801. He say sahih according to Muslim terms).

Marry the Prophet

The love story began when Maimunah lived alone without a husband. Al-Abbas who was a person near Maimunah and a person near the Messenger of Allah, offered Maimunah to the Prophet when he was in Juhfah. The Prophet was also interested and then married him. Land in Sarif, 10 miles from Mecca witnessed this household began to be fostered. This marriage took place in the 7th year H (629 AD) during Umrah qadha. Through Abbas, the Messenger of Allah paid a dowry worth 400 Dirhams.

Previously, Maimunah was the wife of Abu Ruhm bin Abdul Uzza bin Abu Qais bin Abdu Wud bin Nashr bin Malik bin Hasl bin Amir bin Luay. Some claim that Maimunah was the woman who offered herself to the Prophet. While waiting for his message, Maimunah said, "This mount and what is on it is for Allah and His Messenger." Allah Ta'ala took down his firm,

وَامْرَأَةً مُؤْمِنَةً إِنْ وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا لِلنَّبِيِّ إِنْ أَرَادَ النَّبِيُّ أَنْ يَسْتَنْكِحَهَا خَالِصَةً لَكَ مِنْ دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

"And Muslim women who surrender themselves to the Prophet if the Prophet wants to marry her, as a specialization for you, not for all believers." [Al-Ahzab Quran: 50]

Others say that Maimunah's name was Barrah. Then the Prophet replaced him with Maimunah. He is a wife who is very close to the Prophet. Among the proof of his closeness was that the Prophet used to bathe with him through the same water container (Tabari Muhibbuddin: as-Simthu ats-Tsamin, p. 192).

Wedding Lessons

By marrying Maimunah, the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam had done great benefit. Her brother-in-law's relationship with Bani Hilal managed to attract their sympathy. Make them not hesitate to embrace this noble religion. Because they did not feel there was a distance between them and the Prophet Muhammad. Lost the clumsy and heavy feeling in the heart. Taka is more proud, because they have become one family (Muhammad Fathi Mus'id: Ummahatul Mukminin, p. 206).


Muhammad Rashid Rida Rahimahullah said, "Uncle of the Prophet, Abbas, was the one who really wanted this marriage. Plus Maimunah is his wife's sister, Lubabah al-Kubra Um Fadhl. He tied both of them with the permission of Ummul Fadhl. If Abbas did not see any major problems from this marriage, surely he would not have been so concerned about this (Muhammad Rasyid Ridha: Nida Li al-Jinsi al-Lathif fi Huquq an-Nisa fi al-Islam, p. 84).

In the Nabawi Household

Ibn Hisham said, "Maimunah gave up her business to her sister, Umul Fadhl. Then Umm Fadhl discussed it with her husband, Abbas. Until finally the Prophet married her. And gave a dowry of 400 Dirhams (Ibn Kathir: as-Sirah an-Nabawiyah: 3/439).

Others say Maimunah immediately offered herself to the Prophet. Then Allah Ta'ala revealed His word,

وَامْرَأَةً مُؤْمِنَةً إِنْ وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا لِلنَّبِيِّ إِنْ أَرَادَ النَّبِيُّ أَنْ يَسْتَنْكِحَهَا خَالِصَةً لَكَ مِنْ دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

"And Muslim women who surrender themselves to the Prophet if the Prophet wants to marry her, as a specialization for you, not for all believers." [Al-Ahzab Quran: 50]

Maimunah said, "The camel and what is on it belong to the Prophet." (Ibn Hisham: as-Sirah an-Nabawiyah, 2/646).

By becoming the wife of the Prophet sallallaahu aih alaihi wa sallam, Maimunah bint al-Harith Allah be upon him ‘anha joined other wives. They both have a role in conveying the life of the Prophet to his people. As the word of Allah Ta'ala,

وَاذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَى فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا

"And remember what was read in your house from the verses of Allah and wisdom (the sunnah of your prophet). Lo! Allah is the Most Gentle, the Knower. "[Quran Al-Ahzab: 34]

Among the duties of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was to convey the Shariah laws, activities of the Prophet, which were not seen by the general public. They conveyed how the Prophet bathed and performed ablution. What the Prophet did before and during sleep, also when waking up from sleep. When entering and leaving the house, and other things that cannot be known in detail except by his wives, Allah ‘anununna. They are the ones who are always with the Prophet at home.

His death

Umul Mukmini Maimunah binti al-Harith Allah be upon him ‘he died in the Sarif area. A place between Mecca and Medina. The first place he built a household with the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

He died in 51 H / 671 AD, as confirmed by Ibn Hajar and others. When he died, his age was 80 or 81 years (Ibn Saad: ath-Thabaqat al-Kubra, 8/140).