Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: Umm Haram radi Allahu anha was a mahram (unmarriageable kin) of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, but there is a difference of opinion regarding the exact nature of this relationship. According to some, she was his foster maternal aunt, and according to others, she was the paternal or paternal grandfather Abd al-Muttalib’s maternal aunt, because her mother was from Banu Najjar. For this reason, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to visit her, and he narrated to her the incident of his dream: that a group from his community would undertake a naval expedition with great pomp and splendor. Upon hearing this, Umm Haram radi Allahu anha also expressed her desire to be among them, so the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam supplicated for her. This event then occurred during the caliphate of Uthman radi Allahu anhu in the year 28 AH, when Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu was the governor of Syria. He was the first “Amir al-Bahr” (commander of the sea) of this Ummah, and this event took place exactly as foretold by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu had also sought permission for naval jihad (sea expedition) from Umar radi Allahu anhu, but he did not grant it. Later, he sought permission from Uthman radi Allahu anhu and persisted in his request, upon which Uthman radi Allahu anhu granted permission with the condition that only those who willingly and gladly wished to go should be taken. Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu accepted this condition. In this journey, Umm Milhan radi Allahu anha was also present. On the return, she mounted a ride with her husband, fell, and passed away.

Hadith Commentary:
In both narrations, there is mention of the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) midday rest (qaylulah) in accordance with the subject of the chapter; this is the point of correspondence between the hadith and the chapter.

In the first narration, there is mention of your (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) fragrant perspiration. A hundred times worthy of praise is Anas (radi Allahu anhu), who was blessed with this most excellent fragrance.

In the second narration, there is mention of a prophecy regarding Umm Haram (radi Allahu anha), which was fulfilled word for word during the era of Amir Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu).

Umm Haram (radi Allahu anha) was martyred in that battle when, on the return journey, she fell from her mount.

In this way, the prophecy was fulfilled.

From this, the permissibility of sea travel is also established. In fact, nowadays, sea travel has become very necessary and easy, as is observed.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In this hadith as well, it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) went to the house of Umm Haram bint Milhan (radi Allahu anha) and took a midday nap (qaylulah) there. The purpose of Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) in mentioning this hadith is precisely this point.

(2)
Umm Haram (radi Allahu anha) was the honorable wife of Ubadah ibn as-Samit (radi Allahu anhu). In the twentieth year of Hijrah, during the rule of Amir Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu), she set out with an army, and when disembarking from the sea, she fell from her mount and passed away. In this way, the prophecy of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was fulfilled word for word. From this hadith, it is established that traveling by sea is permissible. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has written that Umm Haram (radi Allahu anha) was also a foster maternal aunt of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and for this reason, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would take a midday nap at her place. (Fath al-Bari: 11/93) And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
This matter of marriage appears to be contrary to another narration, in which it is stated that at that very time she was in the marriage (nikah) of ‘Ubadah ibn Samit (radi Allahu anhu).
Perhaps he had divorced her, and later she married again.
This is a reference to that battle in which, during the era of ‘Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), in Rajab of the year 28 AH, the very first naval fleet was prepared by Mu‘awiyah (radi Allahu anhu) with the permission of the Commander of the Faithful, and an expedition was launched against Cyprus.
This was the very first naval battle of the Muslims, in which Umm Haram (radi Allahu anha), who was a close relative of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), participated and attained martyrdom.
The name of Mu‘awiyah’s (radi Allahu anhu) wife was Fakhitah, and she too participated with him in this expedition.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
During the caliphate of Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), under the leadership of Amir Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu), the Muslims undertook their first sea voyage and launched an expedition against Cyprus.
In accordance with the prophecy of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Umm Haram (radi Allahu anha) also participated in this and attained martyrdom.
The honorable wife of Amir Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu), bint Qarazah, was also with him.

➋
From this hadith, Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has established the permissibility of women participating in jihad, even if it requires them to travel by sea.
It should be noted that Umm Haram bint Milhan (radi Allahu anha) was a foster maternal aunt of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), which is why he used to visit her home.
And Allah knows best.

1) Hazrat Umm Haram bint Milhan radi Allahu anha was a mahram and relative of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam from the side of Nithyal. The fact that he would frequently visit her and that she would search for lice in his hair is sufficient evidence of this. Otherwise, he did not visit the other houses of the Ansar in this manner. Some individuals have described her as his foster aunt, but the first view is correct.

2) There were no lice in his hair. He always remained extremely clean, pure, and fragrant. Her searching for lice in his hair is to be understood as a general habit of women.

3) “Riding upon the waves of the sea” means that it would be a sea voyage. The first naval battle took place during the era of Hazrat Uthman radi Allahu anhu. The commander of the army was Hazrat Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu. This expedition is mentioned in the Prophet’s sallallahu alayhi wa sallam first dream. The second naval fleet was dispatched during the caliphate of Hazrat Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu. The commander of the army was his son Yazid. Many noble Companions participated in this army so that they could become the fulfillment of the Prophet’s sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prophecy and glad tidings of forgiveness. This army is mentioned in his second dream. According to the Prophet’s sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prophecy, Hazrat Umm Haram radi Allahu anha was present in the first army along with her honorable husband, and it was during this expedition that she passed away and was beloved to Allah. Radi Allahu anhu wa ardaaha.

4) “During the era of Hazrat Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu” — by this, what is meant is not his own caliphate, but rather his leadership of the army.