Umm Fadl: One of the Believing Sisters

Umm Fadl’s real name was Lubabah bint al-Harith, she was the wife  of Abbas bin Abdul-Mutallib, the Prophet’s paternal uncle and the mother of Abdullah ibn Abbas. Her father was al-Harith ibn Hazn and her mother was Hind bint Awf. One of her sisters, Maymunah, was a wife of the Prophet (SAW). Umm Fadl was one of the first women to embrace Islam after Khadijah. Both Umm Fadl and Maymunah had two other stepsisters, namely Asmaa and Salmah who were the daughters of Umays. It was these four sisters that the Prophet (SAW) described as, “The believing sisters!” 

Umm Fadl had eight other siblings, they were; Lubaba (Sughra) bint al-Harith, Huzayla bint al-Harith, 'Izza bint al-Harith, Umama bint al-Harith, al-Saib bin al-Harith, Qatn bin al-Harith, Asma bint 'Umays, Salma bint 'Umays, Salaamah bin Umays and Awn bin Umays.

Umm Fadl performed many duties for the household of the Prophet (SAW) as she was a regular visitor of Khadijah which means she met the Prophet (SAW) very often. Umm Fadl had a great ability to keep secrets and fulfill promises with deep sincerity for the sole interest of Islam. Even though Umm Fadl's husband, Abbas, was far away from Islam at that time, she was still dutifully towards him. Amid all this, she eagerly wished that her beloved husband would see the light before it was too late. She was also hoping that he would stop taking people’s wealth unlawfully; he was of those who dealt in usury. 

Umm Fadl was elated on the day Abbas witnessed the pledge of Aqabah and played an active role in it. In fact, he also acted as a guardian for his nephew Muhammad (SAW). But when she saw her husband go out with the Quraysh to fight the Muslims in the battle of Badr, her anguish knew no bounds. "Why was he doing this?", "Why didn't he come out openly and proclaim his faith?" she wondered. Her sorrow intensified when she saw her husband taken as a captive after the Muslims gained victory that day. Yet, the generosity of the Prophet (SAW) was such that he released his uncle; Abbas. It was at this point that the light of faith began to creep into the heart of Abbas ibn Abdul-Mutallib; he embraced Islam shortly afterwards. Umm Fadl and her husband became ardent proponents of Islam. 

Umm Fadl was so simpatico that she made her home a place of refuge for the weak and poor who could not afford to emigrate to join the Muslims. Umm Fadl remained in Makkah with her husband Abbas until the treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed. When the Prophet (SAW) came to Makkah with his Companions to perform the Umrah of Qadhaa, they camped in Makkah for three days within which he proposed marriage to Maymunah, her sister. Before Maymunah's marriage to the Prophet (SAW), she was living in the house Umm Fadl under the protection of Abbas. After all of the pilgrims left Makkah, Abbas and Umm Fadl also emigrated to Madinah with their entire family. 

In Madinah, Umm Fadl was a regular guest to the Prophet’s house. She would either come to visit her sister, Maymunah, or the other wives of the Prophet and all of them enjoyed her company. One night, Umm Fadl had a dream. Gob smacked, she went to the Prophet (SAW) seeking the interpretation of her dream. She explained to the Prophet (SAW), “Messenger of Allah, I saw in my dream that a part of your body was in my house!” The Prophet (SAW) then interpreted, “Fatimah (my daughter) will give birth to a boy who you will nurse with the milk of Quthm (meaning her son)." Indeed, before Fatimah had even given birth, by the will of Allah, the Prophet (SAW) prophesied that it would be a boy. Fatimah gave birth to Husain and Umm Fadl nursed him along with her son Quthm. 

When Husain was only a few months old, Umm Fadl brought him to the Prophet (SAW). The Noble Prophet (SAW) then sat him down on his lap; the boy urinated on the Prophet (SAW) and Umm Fadl smacked him on the back. The Prophet (SAW) rebuked her for this, “You have hurt my son! May Allah have mercy on you!” In this way Umm Fadl visited the household of the Prophet (SAW) just as a family member does. 

Umm Fadl had a total of seven children, they were; Fadl ibn al-Abbas, Abdullah ibn Abbas, Ubaydallah bin al-Abbas, Qutham ibn al-Abbas, Ma'bad bin al-Abbas, Abdur Rahman ibn al-Abbas and Umm Habiba ibn al-Abbas. 

She also had discernment about the Deen. There are authentic narrations which clearly indicate her understanding and comprehension of Islam. Umm Fadl performed the farewell pilgrimage with the Prophet (SAW) in the company of her husband and her children. It was the blessed day of Arafah and people where debating over a matter. They were asking each other: “Is the Prophet fasting or not?” To put this to rest, Umm Fadl took a vessel of milk and brought it to the Prophet (SAW). The Prophet took it from her and drank all of it in full view of the people. They now realized that he was not fasting and those Sahaba who were broke their fasts. This incident is indicative of the fact that Umm Fadl had indeed previously heard from the Prophet (SAW) that it is wrong for a pilgrim to fast on the day of Arafah. 

Not only is Umm Fadl remembered for her great feats but also for the fact that she was the mother of the great Companion, Abdullah ibn Abbas, the learned of the Ummah, the interpreter of the Qur’an and the scholar among the companions. She passed away in Madina in 34 AH. She is believed to have been around 80 years old. May ALLAH be pleased with her! Ameen.

LESSONS

1. Clear Heartedness: Though Umm Fadl had a sister in the Prophet’s household, she never sparked dissention in favour of her sister. She was loved by all wives of the Prophet (SAW).
2. Wisdom: You don’t have to speak to right a wrong; your action could be propitious. Umm Fadl doused the anxiety in the hearts of the Muslims who vacillated on whether or not the Prophet (SAW) was fasted without uttering a word.