Atikah bint Khalid: How Well She Described Muhammad (SAW)

Her full name was Atika bint Khalid b. Khalif b. Munqidh b. Rabi'a b. Asram b. Dabays b. Haram b. Habsha b. Salul and Umm Ma’bad was her nick name. Her father was Khalid b. Khalif. She was a famous, chaste, strong and courageous woman who had a camp in Qudayd. 

She would sit down in the courtyard of her camp wrapped-up in her garment, generously providing food and drink to Muslim migrants who passed by. The Prophet (SAW) and his companions Abu Bakr, Amar ibn Fuhayrah, a freed slave of Abu Bakr and their guide, Abdullah ibn Urayqit (who was then a polytheist), once rested in her camp. 

This was at a time when people were suffering from a severe

drought. The Prophet (SAW) and his companions had stopped to ask her for some milk, meat or date, which they were even willing to pay for. Sadly she was unable to provide any of these things to them and apologetically said, “By Allah, if we had anything we would not lack in showing (all of you) hospitality.”

The Prophet (SAW) then saw a goat at the side of the camp, which was being kept away from other animals due to its weakness. The Prophet (SAW) asked Umm Ma’bad, “Does this goat have any milk?” Umm Ma’bad answered, “She is too weak to have any.” 

The Prophet then said, “Would you allow me to milk her?” The woman replied, “May my father and mother be ransomed for you, if you see any milk in her you may milk her.” The Prophet (SAW) then called for the goat and held it. He then stroked her udder with his hand and mentioned the name of Allah. The udder suddenly swelled and milk flowed. He then called for a vessel, big enough to carry milk for the entire group and squeezed a lot of milk into it. 

The Prophet (SAW) then gave Umm Ma’bad and his Companions its milk until everyone was satiated, after which he also drank and explained, “The cup-bearer drinks last” He then milked the goat one more time and once again offered it to all of them. This time they drank slowly and took their time, unlike previously when they had quickly gulped it down due to severe thirst. 

The third time, he milked the goat exclusively for Umm Ma’bah and after which he and his Companions mounted their camels and moved on. After they had left, Umm Ma’bad’s husband, Aktham ibn Abi al-Jawn al-Khuza’i came herding his emaciated flock of sheep. When he saw the milk or its remnants in the vessel he asked quite surprised, “Umm Ma’bad what is this? Where did you get this milk from... there is no goat with milk here?!” His wife answered, “A blessed man passed by us.”

The word ‘blessed’ slipped out of her mouth spontaneously, as she was still emotionally influenced

from what she had seen. Abu Ma’bad asked his wife to describe him. She then explained and described to him what had happened in detail. 

Umm Ma'bad started: “I saw a man who is distinctlyhandsome and of a beautiful countenance. He is well-built, neither blemished by a big belly nor disfigured by an unusually small head. The pupils of his eyes are very dark, his eyelashes are very long and the area around the pupils is extremely white. His eyebrows are perfectly close. He has very dark hair, a rather long neck and a thick beard. When he remains silent he is ever contemplative and when he speaks, eminence and splendour exhibit in his words. His words are like sliding stringed pearls. He is a gifted orator whose words are neither too few nor too many. He has the clearest wand and the most audible voice as he speaks. When you look at him from afar, he is the most handsome of all people, and when you move closer to him, he is the most pleasant of them. You will never be tired of looking at him. He is like a branch between two branches. He is the most handsome of the three and the most important of them. He has companions who honour him; when he speaks they listen to his words and when he commands they hasten to carry out his order. They serve and gather around him. He neither frowns nor nags.”

Abu Ma’bad exclaimed, “By Allah! This is the man of Quraysh! If I see him I will follow him.” This actually happened. Umm Ma’bad and her husband went to Madeenah, embraced Islaam, swore allegiance to the Prophet (SAW) and stayed in his company as much as possible. With them was Umm Ma'bad's brother-Khunays (or Hubaysh) ibn Khalid, who reported this narration. 

It is believed that among the things that pushed the Prophet (SAW) to conquer Macca was the attack on the tribe of Umm Ma’bad by allies of the Quraish. 

According to a reports by scholars and historians, the goat that the Prophet (SAW) milked that day lived for a long time providing abundant milk. Even though Umm Ma’bad was not literate, her description of the Prophet (SAW) is studied across the globe by students of Knowledge. May Allah be pleased with Umm Ma’bad and please her! Aameen.

LESSONS

• The Prophet (SAW) was in the company of a non-Muslim 'Abdullah bin Urayqit', this shows the Prophet's tolerance for everyone.
• The Prophet (SAW) performed miracles.
• The Prophet (SAW) was good-looking.
• The Prophet (SAW) was a greatful person, after serving everyone he went on to milk for the hospitable woman.
• The Prophet (SAW) was welcoming, he didn't frown unecessary.