Rumaisah bint Milhan: She Made Islam Her Mahr

Rumaysa was known for her excellent character, the power of her intellect even before Islam was introduced to Madinah. Her father was Milhan bin Khalid, her mother was Mulaika bint Malik, and she had five siblings; Umm Haram bint Milhan, Haram bin Milhan, Sulaym bin Milhan, Umm 'Abdullah bint Milhan and Zayd bin Milhan. 

She was known by various names including Rumaysa, Ramlah and Ghumaysa and Sahlah. She however came to be known popularly as Umm Sulaym. Sulaym means ‘Safe and Sound’, Umm Sulaym was a nickname as she did not have a child named Sulaym. She was the mother of the famous Anas bin Malik. 

Umm Sulaym was first married to Malik ibn an-Nadr from who she had Anas ibn Malik. Umm Sulaym was one of the first women of Madina to accept Islam. She was influenced by Musab ibn Umayr. When Umm Sulaym embraced Islam, her husband was away from Madina. When he returned, he observed some changes and enquired on what had happened and Umm Sulaym went on to announce her acceptance of Islam to him and in public to his displeasure. She brought her son, Anas, into the fold of Islam. Her husband left the housed vexed and it is reported that he was assassinated by an enemy of his. 

When it was known that Rumaisah had become a widow, one man, Zayd ibn Sahl (Abu Talhah), resolved to become engaged to her. He was sanguine that Rumaisah would not turn him down since he was powerful and affluent. Moreover, he belonged to the same tribe as Rumaisah; the Banu Najjar. Abu Talhah careened to Rumaisah’s house. He sought permission to enter and it was granted. Anas was present and Abu Talhah popped the question. 

Umm Sulaym said, "A man like you, Abu Talhah, is not easily turned away. But I shall never marry you while you are an unbeliever". Abu Talhah impugned that she was trying to put him off and that perhaps she had already preferred someone more solvent and more influential so he said to her, "What is it that really prevents you from accepting me, Umm Sulaym? Is it the yellow and the white metals?" 

Umm Sulaym asked in a flummoxed tone, "Gold and silver?" "Yes," he said imperiously. Umm Sulaym replied, "I swear to you, Abu Talhah, and I swear to Allah and His Messenger that if you accept Islam, I shall be pleased to accept you as a husband, without any gold or silver. I shall consider your acceptance of Islam as my mahr." 

Umm Sulaym seized the opportunity to stress the vacuity of idol worship and she went on: "Don't you know Abu Talhah that the god you worship besides Allah grew from the earth?" "That's true," he affirmed. "Don't you feel stupid while worshipping part of a tree while you use the rest of it for fuel to bake bread or warm yourself? If you should give up these foolish beliefs and practices) and become a Muslim, Abu Talhah, I shall be pleased to accept you as a husband and I would not want from you any sadaqah apart from your acceptance of Islam." 

Abu Talhah asked, "Who shall instruct me in Islam?". "I shall," Rumaisah replied. "How?", he asked. Umm Sulaym pressed on, “Utter the declaration of truth and testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Then go to your house, destroy your idol and throw it away." 

Abu Talhah left weakened and reflected deeply on Rumaisah’s admonition. He came back to her beaming with happiness and said, "I have taken your advice to heart. I declare that there is no god but Allah and I declare that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." 

Rumaisah and Abu Talhah were married, Anas was pleased, and the Muslims would say: "We have never yet heard of a mahr that was more valuable and precious than that of Umm Sulaym for she made Islam her mahr." Abu Talhah and Umm Sulaym had an vivacious life devoted to Islam. The Prophet visited their home often and he would pray on a mat provided by Umm Sulaym. The Prophet (SAW) also had siestas in their house and, as he slept, she would wipe the perspiration from his forehead. Once when the Prophet awoke from his siesta, he asked: "Umm Sulaym, what are you doing?" And she replied, "I am taking these drops of perspiration as a blessing which comes from you". 

It was noticed that the Prophet (SAW) had a special liking for Umm Sulaym and her family and when asked about it, he replied: "Her brother was killed beside me." He (SAW) was referring to Haram bin Milhan. Umm Sulaym also had a well-known sister, Umm Haram, the wife of Ubadah bin as-Samit. 

The Seerah of Ubadah bin as-Samit

Umm Sulaym gave water to Muslim soldiers and tended the wounded and even made attempts to defend the Prophet when the tide of battle was turning against him. At the Battle of Khandaq, the Prophet saw her carrying a dagger and he asked her what she was doing with it. She said: "It is to fight those who desert." And The Prophet replied, "May Allah grant you satisfaction in that". 

Umm Sulaym had two children from Abu Talha; Umair and Abdullah. A few days after Abdullah was born, she sent Anas with the baby and a bag of dates to the Prophet (SAW). The Prophet placed the baby on his lap. He crushed the dates in his mouth and put some in the baby's mouth. The baby sucked the dates with relish. Abdullah eventually grew up and had seven children all of whom memorized the Quran. 

Umm Sulaym's husband, Abu Talhah, passed away while he was on a naval expedition during the time of Uthman bin Affan and was buried at sea.  Rumaysa bint Milhan is believed to have passed away not long afterwards in 29 A. H. She was around 60 years old. May Allah please her and grant us her virtues.

LESSONS

1. Marrying a non-Muslim: Umm Sulaym turned down Abu Talha’s proposal. Not because he was a bad man but, because he was not a Muslim. This is proof that a Muslim cannot marry a pagan. Can Muslim Women Marry non-Muslim Men?
2. Islam over wealth: Umm Sulaym was not moved by the affluence or status of Abu Talha, she was only interested in her faith in Allah. She was not prepared to endanger her faith and the upbringing of her child for luxury however preponderant and tempting.

Is Jamal Musiala A Muslim?

Jamal Musiala playing for Bayern Munich

Jamal Musiala is an incipient but fecund German football player who plays as a midfielder and attacker. He currently plays for Bayern Munich and Die Mannschaft (German national team) and has become a name to conjure with in the sport.

Going to the point at issue, seeing or hearing the name ‘Jamal’ will engender one feeling in most people; ‘that’s a Muslim’. The name, Jamal, is an Islamic name which means ‘Beauty’. It can also take the form, Jamal Uddin, which means ‘Beauty of Religion’. 

However, neither Jamal nor his parents have ever practiced Islam; they will most likely be designated-Christians as they very openly and gladly celebrate Christmas. This would be different from the case of Leroy Sane, whose father, Sulayman Sane, is a Muslim.

Is Leroy Sane A Muslim?

Jamal’s father, Daniel Richard, is a Nigerian born Briton and his mother, Carolin Musiala, is German. Obviously, for some reason; Jamal answers to his mother’s surname and not his father’s. Jamal Musiala was born in Germany on 26th February 2003 but was raised in England from the age of seven. After representing both Germany and England at youth level, he eventually swore allegiance to Die Mannschaft in February 2021.

A number of practicing Muslims have played for Die Mannschaft. Popular mentions are Ilkay Gundogan, Antonio Rudiger, Youssoufa Moukoko, Karim Adeyemi (all still playing), Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi, Sami Khedira and Emre Can.

Ballon d’Or: Who Is The First Muslim Winner?

Recent years have been awesome for Muslims in

The Dos and Don't of Laylatul Qadr

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The last ten days of Ramadan are blessed with unique virtues. 

Among such virtues is Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree). Allah 

sent down the Qur’an on this Night.

Let’s shed a little light on the significance of Laylatul Qadr.

Significance of Laylatul Qadr

Abdullah Ibn Abbas said, “Allah sent down the Qur’an at one time 

from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooth (the Preserved Tablet in the Seventh 

Heaven) to Bayt Al-‘Izzah (House of Pride) in the first Heaven, then 

it was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) in stages according 

to events over 23 years.”

About this Night, Allah, The Most Exalted, says in Suratul Dukhan 

(44:1-6)

“Ha, Meem.

By the clear Book,

Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were 

to warn mankind.

On that night is made distinct every precise matter -

Every matter proceeding from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a 

messenger]

As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the 

Knowing”.

The statement, “On that night is made distinct every precise 

matter” has been interpreted to mean that on this night, the destiny 

of all creatures for the coming year is decreed. On this night, it is 

written who will live, who will die, who will be destined for 

Paradise, who will be destined for Hell, who will be honoured, who 

will be humiliated, where and when disasters will occur, and 

everything else that Allah wills in that year.

To further show its significance, Allah (SWT) Himself described 

Laylatul Qadr in clear terms in Suratul Qadr.

“Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.

And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?

The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their 

Lord for every matter.

Peace it is until the emergence of dawn”.  

Suratul Qadr (97:1-5)

This night is described as peace, i.e., it is safe, for the devils cannot 

do any evil or cause any harm on this night.

Dos for Laylatul Qadr

Muslims are urged to increase worship in last ten days of Ramadhan.

Aisha reported: “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray the whole night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.” [Bukhari]

Observing Nawafil

The most traditional practice in the last ten days of Ramadhan is the 

observance of the night prayers (tahajjud or qiyammul layl) and 

rightly so.

Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever stands 

(in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in the 

hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever 

spends the night of Lailat Al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the 

hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Recitation of Qur’an

We are urged to do whatever we can to earn as much reward as 

possible. Among the most rewarding acts is the recitation of the 

Qur’an.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Verily the one who recites the Quran 

beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the 

noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with 

difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will 

have twice that reward.”

Making Dhikr

This is a nice time for us to dust our books of supplication, a good 

one is Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of a believer).

The Prophet (SAW) recommended a du’a for Laylatul Qadr.

Aishah narrated that she asked the Prophet (SAW), “O Messenger of 

Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come 

upon Laylatul-Qadr?” He said: “Say: ‘Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun 

tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love 

forgiveness, so forgive me).’

 

Don’t for Laylatul Qadr

Some Muslims tend to get overzealous in this period. This pushes 

them to do a number of irrational things in their bid to please Allah.

Reciting Over the Loud speakers

A community will likely be made up of Muslims and non-Muslims. 

Even in a community with a 100% Muslim population, people will 

choose different times to observe tahajjud (night prayer). It is wrong 

to recite over the loud speakers in the middle of the night. Not 

everyone will be willing to observe tahajjud at the exact same time 

as you and your congregation; be considerate.

Making it compulsory to complete recite the whole of the 

Qur’an in Tahajjud

There is no evidence to show that Muslims in the time of 

Muhammad (SAW) compelled themselves to recite the whole of the 

Qur’an either in tarawih or tahajjud. We should not torture ourselves 

and others for reasons that have no basis. 

Insisting on reciting the whole of the Qur’an in tarawih or tahajjud 

has led to the bastardization of Qur’an recitation.

In order to meet the target, imams recite the Qur’an with so much 

pace that make the recitation more or less useless because no one is 

able to make any sense of what is being recited.

However, for those who are more comfortable with Salah for 

Tahajjud, we could increase the number of raka'at and reduce the 

number of ayat recited in each raka'a.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: "The people disputed as to 

whether it is better to stand for a long time or to do a lot of bowing 

and prostrating, or are they both equal? There are three views, the 

soundest of which is that they are both equal."

May Allah make us among those who obtain maximum benefits from

this Glorious month.

MISCONCEPTION 18: Muhammad Married A Six Year Old

It has been cited from prominent Islamic texts such as Sahih Bukhari that a wife of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Aisha bint Abu Bakr, was six years old when Muhammad (SAW) married her and that the marriage was consummated three years later when she was nine years old. 

This information has become one of the most employed weapons against Islam and Muslims. This is largely due to the fact that a lot of Muslims themselves are not grounded in Islamic history. 

There is no attempt to discredit the Sahih Bukhari compilation here however, the Qur'an remains the only book without blemish. 

A number of Islamic scholars have posited through the decades, centuries and millennia that this account of the age of Aisha at the time of marriage is not accurate. 

Renowned Islamic scholar of Hadith, Shams ad-Dīn adh-Dhahabī, used data on Aisha's elder sister, Asma bint Abu Bakr. Information on Asma's age at the time of her death was used to affirm that Aisha was over thirteen years old at the time of her marriage to Muhammad (SAW). Hence, the consumation would not have taken place earlier than when Aisha was sixteen years old. 

Using reports on the birth year of Fatimah (Muhammad's daughter) as a reference point, other scholars of Islamic text have also estimated that Aisha was over ten years old at the time of marriage and over fifteen at the time of its consumation. 

Here are my own theories. 

Theory A

Islamic scholars, Ibn Kathīr and Ibn Asakir, documented that Asma'a bint Abu Bakr was ten years older than Aisha. 

Asma'a was born 27 years before the Hijra (27 B. H.).

Muhammad (SAW) married Aisha in the first year after the Hijra (1 A. H.).

This means Asma'a was 28 years old at the time of Aisha's marriage. 

If Asma'a was 10 years older than Aisha then, Aisha was 18 years old at the time of marriage. 

Theory B

Shams ad-Dīn adh-Dhahabī, documented that Asma'a was at least 13 years older than Aisha.

If you say Asma'a was 13 years older than Aisha then, it means Aisha was 15 years old at the time of marriage and the marriage was consummated when she was 18.

Islamophobes have argued, 'this is just Muslims trying to rewrite their history out of fear of 'modern' critics'. 

This is funny and false. 

According to the most accurate accounts, Ibn Asakir passed away on 24th January, 1176 (845 years ago).

Sheikh Shams ad-Dīn adh-Dhahabī li was born on 5th October, 1274 and passed away on 3rd February, 1348. He passed away 673 years ago. 

Ibn Kathir passed away, according to some accounts, on 18th February, 1373 (648 years ago)

The countries of these critics were not even formed at that time. 

Some die hard critics might still argue, 'it is a crime to marry below eighteen years of age'.

Killing this argument is one of the easiest things to do, especially when we observe how western nations have treated this topic through the decades, centuries and millennia.

Age Of Consent In The West 

France

France allows girls consent to sex at fifteen. 

America 

The Federal law of America fixes the minimum age of consent at twelve. More than half of American states allow marriage at sixteen. Of the 50 states that make up the United States of America, age of consent is sixteen in 31 states, seventeen in 6 states and eighteen in 13 states.

United Kingdom 

Sixteen year olds are legally allowed to get married in the United Kingdom. 

In March 1976, the National Council for Civil Liberties called for an equal age of consent of fourteen, or ten, in Britain.

In November 2013, Faculty of Public Health president, Professor John Ashton, called for the age of consent to be lowered to fifteen.

It is also worthy to note that in 1275, the first age of consent was set in England, it was twelve. 

History records that 33-year-old King John of England married twelve year old Isabella of Angoulême.

Miranda Sawyer, British journalist specialised in music and youth culture,  supported reducing the age of consent to twelve in the UK. She also attacked the criminalisation of sexual activity under the age of sixteen as "laughably unrealistic".

What do the critics have to say on this? 

Are the leaders of these countries criminals and 'paedophiles' as well? 

Some critics might still push on, 'even if Aisha was in her teens, how do we know she was comfortable getting married at that age?'

Another easy challenge. It has never been a general preference of girls to attain eighteen years of age before desiring sex. Not in Aisha's time nor in 'modern' times. 

In November 2000, an internet poll of 42,000 girls aged twelve to sixteen was conducted in the UK. 87% said the age of consent should be lowered from sixteen.

The rest, they say, is history. 

Muhammad (SAW) never married a female below the teenage years. Whoever, wants to hold on to the 'paedophiles' tag well; they say it is a free world. But, endeavour to admit the hypocrisy and ignorance of islamophobes on this issue. 

Conclusively, that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) married a six year old is a misconception.

Netflix's Cuties: Islamophobia Gone Wrong

Cuties, which is called Mignonnes in French, is a 

2020 French coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré. For short, Cuties can be described as a French movie with scabrous content that was meant to malign Islam.

The description of the movie by the makers is as follows: “Amy, 11, becomes fascinating with a twerking dance crew. Hoping to join them, she starts to explore her femininity defying her family’s tradition.”

After receiving a massive backlash from the public, Netflix tried to save face by unabashedly drafting another description which goes thus: “Eleven-year-old Amy starts to rebel against her conservative family’s tradition when she becomes fascinated with a free-spirited dance crew”.

The film premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival on 23rd January 2020. It was released in France on 19th August 2020 by BAC Films and internationally on 9th September 2020 on Netflix.

Movie lovers and activists have called out Netflix over what has been called ‘the sexualization of children’. Netflix is an American online movie streaming service provider which has also delved into movie making. It is headquartered in Los Gatos, California. America.

Westerners tag anyone who has sexual relations with anyone below the age of 18 a pedophile however; millions of girls below 18 joyfully engage in premarital sex and get pregnant every day.

‘Pedophilia’ is another ‘crime’ Islamophobes have dropped at the door step of Islam. Pedophilia or paedophilia is defined as a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children. Miraculously, the movie, Cuties, has exposed the fact that westerners very well fall in love with girls under 18.

Islamophobia

The demon, Islamophobia, has continued to rage across the globe. In extreme cases, Muslims have lost their lives. Islam-haters try to put a dampener on their bigotry by denying the existence of the words ‘Islamophobe’ and ‘islamophobia’; this will always be in vain.

A major narrative Islamophobes try to sell is the ‘Islam oppresses women’ cliché.

France has long been tagged the most Islamophobic country in the world. France was the first European country to announce a ban on the Islamic veil in public on 11th April 2011.

Though, movies with similar themes

(Islamophobia) have come from other countries, no movie has ever exposed the aim of Islamophobia like Cuties. Accuse others of that which you are guilty.

The makers of the movie tried to portray a Muslim girl oppressed into modesty in the character Amy.

With the number of individuals who have taken umbrage at Cuties and inveighed against Netflix, it is obvious western Islamophobic media overegged the pudding this time.

 Backlash

• On 10 September, #CancelNetflix started trending on Twitter in the United States.
• The Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council, requested Netflix to remove the film.
• The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, a religious organization, condemned Netflix for giving a film "that has permitted the sexual exploitation of children" a platform.
• Shortly after its release on Netflix, Cuties had an IMDb rating of 1.7/10.

Quite disgustingly, the writer and director of the movie, Maïmouna Doucouré, won the Directing Award – Dramatic at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Moral of the story; an attempt to paint Islam black has once again exposed the hypocrisy of Islam-haters.

Four 9/11 Questions With No Answers Yet

9/11 file photo

Tomorrow, 9/11/2020, will be the 19^th anniversary of one event that  has change the course of human history. 

An ‘attack’ in America that is said to have claimed over 3000 lives from different nationalities has continued to shape world politics.

The blame has been dropped at the door step of Islam and Muslims.

A closer look at anomalies in the official account of the American government made it obvious that as far as that even is concerned, there is more that meets the eye.

Here are some questions that have not been answered by pro America debaters as compiled by Mike Rudlin of the BBC in 2007.

1. Why was the hole in the Pentagon wall so small and why was there so little damage to the outer wall?
2. Why does it look like there is no plane at the crash site in Pennsylvania where flight United 93 came down?
3. Why did a building called World Trade Centre Building 7 collapse even though it was never hit by an aircraft?
4. And why was America so unprepared when terror attack warnings had been received?

Jim Fetzer, former US marine and retired university professor, who helped found a coalition of academics called Scholars for 9/11 Truth repeats the Sherlock Holmes quotation “when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

According to the publication when it was first released on 14^th February 2007, “the US State Department has a website to debunk conspiracy theories – not just about 9/11 but a whole range of stories circulating on the internet.

But we found that simple requests, such as asking to see the plane wreckage of flight United 93 at Shanksville, or flight American Airlines 77 at the Pentagon, were refused after months of delay by the authorities.

Yet if we had been able to film the wreckage from flight AA77 we would have had extremely strong evidence that a Boeing 757 hit the Pentagon.”

Through the internet and the media generally, allegations of complicity by the US government in the 9/11 attacks are intensifying.

A number of pro America debaters try to create the notion that only Muslims slap away 9/11 as an inside job. Happenings within America itself always burst their bubble. 

In 2004, John Buchanan ran for president on a 9/11 Truth platform. Jeff Boss ran in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 US presidential elections, and is currently running in the 2020 election on a 9/11 Truth platform.

A Truth Movement sticker

Several organizations have been create to push the American government into conducting a deep investigation of 9/11. Some of them are:

• Hispanic Victims Group
• 9/11 Citizens Watch formed in 2002
• 9/11 Truth  launched in June 2004
• Scholars for 9/11 Truth launched in December 2005
• Scholars for 9/11 Truth & Justice (STJ) formed in January 2007
• 9/11 Commission Campaign founded in 2011

Our hearts go out to all those who have innocently lost their lives to all the ensuing wars.