Life and Background
Hind bint Abi Umayya was from the Banu Makhzum clan — one of Mecca’s most prestigious. She was first married to Abu Salama ibn ‘Abd al-Asad, one of the earliest converts to Islam. They emigrated twice — first to Abyssinia and then to Medina — among the earliest Muslims to make this sacrifice.
Abu Salama was wounded at the Battle of Uhud (625 CE) and died of his wounds in 626 CE, leaving Umm Salama with four children. She was a young widow with children and great personal dignity.
The Prophet (SAW) proposed marriage. She famously responded that she had reservations: she was older, she had children who would be the Prophet’s responsibility, and she was known for jealousy. The Prophet addressed each concern thoughtfully, and they married in 626 CE.
The Hudaybiyya Counsel — Her Most Famous Act of Wisdom
At the Treaty of Hudaybiyya (628 CE), after the Prophet and the companions had signed the one-sided treaty and the Prophet commanded them to shave their heads and slaughter their animals to exit ihram, the companions were grief-stricken over the perceived humiliation and did not respond. The Prophet returned to his tent, troubled.
Umm Salama advised him: “O Prophet of Allah, go out, and without speaking to any of them, sacrifice your animal and shave your head.” He did so. When the companions saw the Prophet himself sacrificing and shaving, they rushed to do the same.
This single piece of counsel — understanding the companions’ psychology better than the Prophet’s initial direct command had — is why Umm Salama is held in such high regard in Islamic history.
Her Fiqh Contributions
Umm Salama issued independent fiqh opinions on several questions:
- Fasting while sexually impure: She testified that the Prophet would wake up junub (in a state of major ritual impurity) after dawn in Ramadan and complete his fast — against those who said this invalidated the fast
- Women’s prayer times: She reported the Prophet’s practice for women’s prayer arrangements
- Ghusl: She and ‘A’isha jointly testified on the full-body washing obligation
The Ismaili Significance
Umm Salama is particularly significant in Shi’a and Ismaili traditions because of her reported role in witnessing key events of the Prophet’s final years. She is among the witnesses to the events of Ghadir Khumm and is reported in some narrations to have been among those who confirmed Ali’s designation.
See also: Prophet Muhammad, Sahaba, Hadith Sciences, Seerah Hudaybiyya, Seerah Death, Ali Ibn Abi Talib