Reward for Martyrdom (Ahadith 2441 – 2446)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 48 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle, offer prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah’s Cause or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said, “O Allah’s Apostle ! Shall we acquaint the people with the is good news?” He said, “Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the Heaven and the Earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-firdaus which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” (i.e. The sub-narrator added, “I think the Prophet also said, ‘Above it (i.e. Al-Firdaus) is the Throne of Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.”)

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 49 :
Narrated by Samura (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Last night two men came to me (in a dream) and made me ascend a tree and then admitted me into a better and superior house, better of which I have never seen. One of them said, ‘This house is the house of martyrs.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 50 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “A single endeavor (of fighting) in Allah’s Cause in the forenoon or in the afternoon is better than the world and whatever is in it.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 51 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “A place in Paradise as small as a bow is better than all that on which the sun rises and sets (i.e. all the world).” He also said, “A single endeavor in Allah’s Cause in the afternoon or in the forenoon is better than all that on which the sun rises and sets.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 52 :
Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “A single endeavor in Allah’s Cause in the afternoon and in the forenoon is better than the world and whatever is in it.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 53 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Nobody who dies and finds good from Allah (in the Hereafter) would wish to come back to this world even if he were given the whole world and whatever is in it, except the martyr who, on seeing the superiority of martyrdom, would like to come back to the world and get killed again (in Allah’s Cause).” Narrated Anas: The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “A single endeavor (of fighting) in Allah’s Cause in the afternoon or in the forenoon is better than all the world and whatever is in it. A place in Paradise as small as the bow or lash of one of you is better than all the world and whatever is in it. And if a houri from Paradise appeared to the people of the earth, she would fill the space between Heaven and the Earth with light and pleasant scent and her head cover is better than the world and whatever is in it.”

Pleasing the most Merciful and entering Paradise are the ultimate aim that believing men and women should wish for. If a person departs this world having won the pleasure of Allaah, then he will have the glad tidings of all that is good after that. When he enters Paradise he will have delights and pleasures such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard and it has not entered the mind of any man. He will have all that he wishes for in the best ways. Everything that he asks for will be granted, and everything that he longs for he will get. He will never find anything to upset or disturb him, because he is in the care of the Most Merciful, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner‑selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask.

32. An entertainment from (Allaah), the Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”

[Fussilat 41:31-32]

One of the best things that people long for in the Hereafter is, for men, the women of Paradise, namely al-hoor al-‘iyn, and for women there is an equivalent delight. By His great wisdom, Allaah has not mentioned what the women will have as the equivalent of al-hoor al-‘iyn for men, and that is due to modesty and shyness. How can He encourage them to seek Paradise by mentioning something that they are too shy and modest to mention or speak about themselves? So He has simply hinted at it, as in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“Therein you shall have (all) that your inner‑selves desire

[Fussilat 41:31-32]

Description of Hoor:

The description of al-hoor al-‘iyn is mentioned in more than one place in the Book of Allaah, such as the following:

1 – Allaah says, describing the reward of the people of Paradise (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes (as wives for Al-Muttaqoon – the pious).

23. Like unto preserved pearls”

[al-Waaqi’ah 56:22, 23] 

al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him)said:

“And (there will be) Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes”. Al-Hawra’ is a woman in whose eyes are lined with kohl, beautiful and bright. Al-‘iyn refers to beautiful and huge eyes. The beauty of eyes in the female is one of the greatest signs of beauty.

“Like unto preserved pearls” means, as if they are pure, white, shining pearls, which are covered and protected from people’s eyes, the wind and the sun. Their colour is one of the most beautiful of colours and they have no fault or blemish of any kind. This is how al-hoor al-‘iyn are: they have no faults of blemishes of any kind, rather they are beautiful in all ways.

Every time you gaze upon her, you see nothing but that which gladdens the heart. End quote.

Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 991

2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(In beauty) they are like rubies and coral”

[al-Rahmaan 55:58]

al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Ibn Zayd said concerning the words “they are like rubies and coral” it is as if they are rubies in their purity and like coral in their whiteness. So their purity is that of rubies and their whiteness is that of pearls. End quote.

Tafseer al-Tabari, 27/152

3 – Allaah says describing the women of Paradise, in Soorat al-Waaqi’ah (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation.

36. And made them virgins.

37. Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age”

[al-Waaqi’ah 56:35-37]

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

With regard to the word “loving (‘uruban)”, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said, quoting from Ibn ‘Abbaas that it means: they are loving towards their husbands. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that al-‘urub are those who love their husbands and their husbands love them.

With regard to the word “of equal age (atraaban)”, al-Dahhaak said, quoting from Ibn ‘Abbaas, that it means: of the same age, thirty-three years.

Al-Saddi said: “atraaban” means that they are equal in temperament and they do not resent or envy one another, i.e., they are not like hostile co-wives. End quote.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/294

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

It was narrated that Mujaahid said concerning the verse “Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age”: i.e., those who are dear to their husbands.

Fath al-Baari, 8/626

4 – Allaah says, describing them (interpretation of the meaning):

“Therein (Gardens) will be Khairaatun‑Hisaan [fair (wives) good and beautiful]”

[al-Rahmaan 55:70]

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

They are described as being fair and beautiful. The word khayraat (fair and good) is derived from the word khayyarah, which refers to the woman who combines all good qualities, both outward and inward, and whose physical appearance and attitude are perfect. So they are good in attitude and fair of face.

Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 243.

5 – Allaah describes them as pure, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and they shall have therein Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and they will abide therein forever”

[al-Baqarah 2:25]

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Allaah describes them as pure: “and they shall have therein Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives)”, pure from menses, urine and the like (stools) and all off-putting features that may exist in the women of this world. And their hearts are pure from envy, annoyance of their husbands, meanness or wishing for husbands other than them.

Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 243, 244

6 – Allaah describes them as refraining from looking at anyone except their husbands (interpretation of the meaning):

“Wherein both will be Qaasiraat‑ut‑Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances, desiring none except their husbands]”

[al-Rahmaan 55:56] 

“Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions”

[al-Rahmaan 55:72]

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Allaah describes them as being “guarded in pavilions”, i.e., they are prevented from making a display of themselves before anyone except their husbands. They are guarded for their husbands and they do not go out of their houses, and they restrain themselves for them and do not desire anyone else. And Allaah describes them as “Qaasiraat‑ut‑Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances”. This description is more complete than the first, for one of them restrains her gaze and focuses her love upon her husband, she is content with him and does not look beyond him at anyone else.

Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, p. 244

This is a brief look at what has been said about them in the Qur’aan. In the Sunnah there are descriptions of their beauty and fairness which defy the imagination, such as the following:

1 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The first group will enter Paradise looking like the moon on the night when it is full, and those who follow them will be like the brightest shining star in the sky. Their hearts will be as one, and there will be no hatred or jealousy among them. Each man will have two wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn, the marrow of whose calves can be seen from beneath the bone and flesh.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3014; Muslim, 2843.

Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The stunning beauty of the hoori is such that the marrow of her calves can be seen from beneath her clothes, and a man will be able to see his face in the liver of one of them, like a mirror because of the fineness of her skin and the purity of her colour.

Fath al-Baari, 8/570

2 – It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a woman from among the people of Paradise were to look out over the earth, she would illuminate everything that is in between them, and would fill everything that is in between them with fragrance. And the scarf on her head is better than this world and everything in it.”

If she were to show her face, it would shine between heaven and earth; how beautiful is the light of her face and how beautiful the scent that is filling the space between heaven and earth. As for her garments, the scarf that she places on her head is better than the beauty of this world and all that is in it of delights and pleasure and natural beauty and splendid palaces and other kinds of luxuries. Glory be to their Creator, how great He is, and congratulations to the one for whom she is and he is for her.

Taken from IslamQA

Dowry (Mahr) of the Hoor:

The true mahr of al-hoor al-‘iyn is every good deed that brings one closer to Allaah, and is the cause of entering Paradise.

Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Tadhkirah fi Ahwaal al-Mawtaa wa Umoor al-Aakhirah (p. 556):

Chapter on what is narrated about righteous deeds being the mahr of al-hoor al-‘iyn.

In this chapter he narrated some of the ahaadeeth quoted above, then he said:

Muhammad ibn al-Nu’maan al-Muqari said:

I was sitting with al-Jala al-Muqari in Makkah in al-Masjid al-Haraam, when a tall, lean-bodied old man dressed in rags passed by. Al-Jala got up and stood with him for a while, then came back to us and said: Do you know who this old man is? We said: No. He said: He bought from Allaah a hoor al-‘iyn for four thousand khatmahs (readings of the entire Qur’aan) and when he had completed it, he saw her in a dream, wearing her jewellery and finery. He said: Who are you? She said: I am al-hoor whom you bought from Allaah with four thousand khatmahs; this is the price, what will I get from you? He said: One thousand khatmahs. Al-Jala said: He is still working on that.

It was narrated from Sahnoon that he said: There was a man in Egypt called Sa’eed, and he had a mother who was a devoted worshipper. When he got up at night to pray qiyaam, his mother would pray behind him, and if he grew sleepy his mother would call out to him: O Sa’eed! There is no sleep for the one who fears Hell and wants to marry the beautiful hoor al-‘iyn. So he would get up out of alarm.

It was narrated from Thaabit that he said: My father was one of those who prayed qiyaam to Allaah in the depths of the night. He said: Last night I saw in my dream a woman who did not resemble the women of this world. I said to her: Who are you? She said: A hoor al-‘iyn, a female slave of Allaah. I said to her: Give yourself to me in marriage. She said: Propose to me through your Lord and give me a mahr. I said: What is your mahr? She said: Lengthy tahajjud.

Maalik ibn Dinar said: I had sections of the Quraan that I would read every night. I fell asleep one night and in my dream I saw a beautiful girl, with a piece of vellum in her hand. She said: Can you read? I said: Yes. She gave me the piece of vellum and on it was written these lines of poetry:

You are wasting your time in sleeping rather than seeking high goals

And seeking beautiful hoor al-‘iyn in Paradise.

There in Paradise you will have an eternal life and no death

And you will have delight with the beautiful hoor ‘iyn in splendid pavilions.

Wake up from your sleep, for what is better than sleeping is spending the night reciting the Qur’aan.

End quote.

Something similar was said by Ibn Rajab in his essay Ikhtiyaar al-Oola (p. 12) and in Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif(p. 159).

Taken from IslamQA

Further reading: Virtues of Martyrdom

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The Story of Umm Haram Bint Milhan (radiallaahu `anhaa) (Hadith No. 2440)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 47 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to visit Um Haram bint Milhan (radiallaahu `anhaa), who would offer him meals. Um Haram was the wife of Ubada bin As-Samit (radiallaahu `anhu). Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) once visited her and she provided him with food and started looking for lice in his head. Then Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) slept, and afterwards woke up smiling. Um Haram (radiallaahu `anhaa) asked, “What causes you to smile, O Allah’s Apostle?” He said. “Some of my followers who (in a dream) were presented before me as fighters in Allah’s Cause (on board a ship) amidst this sea cause me to smile; they were as kings on the thrones (or like kings on the thrones).” (Ishaq, a sub-narrator is not sure as to which expression the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used.) Um-Haram (radiallaahu `anhaa) said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Invoke Allah that he makes me one of them. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) invoked Allah for her and slept again and woke up smiling. Once again Um Haram (radiallaahu `anhaa) asked, “What makes you smile, O Allah’s Apostle?” He replied, “Some of my followers were presented to me as fighters in Allah’s Cause,” repeating the same dream. Um Haram (radiallaahu `anhaa) said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Invoke Allah that He makes me one of them.” He said, “You are amongst the first ones.” It happened that she sailed on the sea during the Caliphate of Mu’awiya bin Abi Sufyan, and after she disembarked, she fell down from her riding animal and died.

Um Haram bint Milhan was an Ansari woman (from Madinah) and she was the sister of Um Sulaym, the mother of Anas ibn Malik. She was of the Ansar who embraced Islam before Hijra. Um Haram was first married to Amr ibn Qias bin Zaid with whom she had a son named Qais. Here husband and her son took part in the battle of Uhud and the battle of Badr and were both martyred. She later married Ubadah ibn AsSamit who was the chief of his clan and known for his bravery and military skill. He was one of the first Ansari men to participate in the Pledge of Aqaba. Ubadah also participated in the Battle of Badr and every battle and campaign with the Prophet ﷺ  before and after Hijra. He was a great husband and father and cared for Um Haram’s sons from her first marriage in the same way he cared for his own children.

Um Haram and Ubadah lived on a large, beautiful date palm plantation in the city of Quba, which was right outside of Madinah. This was the city that the Prophet ﷺ  stopped by on his hijra (migration) to Madinah for the first time. It became special to him and he would often visit it often. When he did so, one of the houses that he always stopped by and often napped in was Um Haram’s. The first time he went was to console Um Haram and Um Sulaym on the loss of their brothers, who died for the cause of Islam. Then he started to make a point to visit them more often and Um Malhan used to serve the Prophet ﷺ  his favorite foods and he would take naps in a special area they had made just for him. The Ansar (people of Madinah) are known for their hospitality, generosity and sacrifice. There is even a verse in the Quran that talks about this:

{And those who, before them (emigrants), had homes (in Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given, and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be successful} (Quran 59:9)

Anas ibn Malik relates that one time the Prophet ﷺ  came to visit him and his mother and aunt were there as well. The Prophet ﷺ  told them to rise so that he could lead them in a special prayer. After the prayer, he made duaa (supplication) that Allah would bless this family in both this world and the hereafter.

One day, the Prophet ﷺ  was taking a nap in Um Haram’s home and she saw him wake up smiling. Um Haram asked him what was making him smile and he replied, “Some people among my followers were shown to me, sailing over the green sea like kings over their thrones.” Um Haram then pleaded to the Prophet ﷺ , “O Messenger of Allah, invoke Allah that He makes me one of them.” The Prophet ﷺ  then went back to sleep and woke up again smiling. Um Haram thought he saw something new so she asked him again why he was smiling. He replied, “Some people among my followers were shown to me, sailing over the green sea like kings over their thrones.” Um Haram then repeated her plea, “O Messenger of Allah, invoke Allah that He makes me one of them.” “You are among the first,” he said to her.

Many years later, after the passing of the Prophet ﷺ , Um Haram accompanied her husband through his travels. Ubadah joined the Syrian army, which was led by Amir ibn Abdullah ibn Al Jarrah. He participated in all the battles until Syria had been conquered. Then a request was made to Umar ibn Al Khattab, who was the Calipha at the time, that a scholar was needed in Palestine to teach them the religion and be a judge among them and Ubadah was appointed by Umar for the job. He became the first teacher and judge in Palestine and settled there with Um Haram. Because of his high position, he became extremely popular. However, being the wife of such a prominent man did not get to Um Haram’s head and she remained as humble was she was living in her home in Quba. She would often dream of and remember what the Prophet ﷺ  had said to her about his dream.

A few years later, Ubadah was sent out to lead an army to assist Amr Ibn Al As in Egypt. Um Haram accompanied him to Egypt and afterwards they settled back in Syria, whose governor at that time was Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan. One of the biggest issues that Muawiyah was dealing with was that Syria’s coastline was constantly being attacked by Romans who were using Cyprus as their launch point. He wrote to Umar ibn Al Khattab to allow him to lead an army to Cyprus but Umar refused the request because he did not want to gamble with Muslims’ lives with all the dangers of traveling and fighting at sea. When Uthman bin Affan became the Calipha, Muawiyah made the same request and was able to convince Uthman to agree. However, Uthman told Muawiyah that he was not to force any Muslim to fight- they must volunteer on their own.

So Muawiyah sent out an announcement and many Muslims chose to fight against the Romans. He started building and preparing a fleet of ships. Meanwhile, Um Haram began to get very excited. She felt this might be what was in the Prophet’s ﷺ  dream and started preparing for her journey with the army. On the day that the ships were to depart, she was truly one of the first on them. With tears in her eyes, she watched as the boats sailed through the waves like kings on their thrones she repeated over and over again, “You spoke the truth, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ .”

After defeating a Roman coast guard that attacked them as they neared the island, the Muslim ships landed on the coast of Cyprus and started preparing for their invasion.  As they were preparing, Um Haram was given a horse for her to ride on during battle. Somehow the horse got frightened and jumped violently and Um Haram was thrown off. She eventually died from the injuries of that accident. It is said that she died smiling. She was buried where she fell off the coast of Cyprus and today her grave is still there for all to see. There is also a masjid that was built near her grave.

Um Haram lived a life full of journeys and adventures and traveling. She witnessed and participated in some of the greatest moments of Islamic history. May Allah be pleased with her and please her.

Taken from Mosaic of Muslim Women

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Question: Was Umm Haram a “mahram” of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)? If not, why was he alone with her?

Admit it, you were thinking about it! If not, read on for knowledge. Someone may try to turn you against Bukhari or hadith in general over this issue. SMH!

Umm Sulaym’s full name was Sahlah or Rumaylah or Mulaykah bint Milhaan ibn Khaalid ibn Zayd ibn Haraam ibn Jundub al-Ansaariyyah (may Allaah be pleased with her). She was the mother of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him), and is best known by her kunyah; there is some difference of opinion as to her given name. Al-Isaabah, 8/227.

Umm Haraam was the daughter of Milhaan (may Allaah be pleased with him), and was the sister of Umm Sulaym. Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said: I could not find out her real name.

They were both mahrams of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Muslim (2331) narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to enter Umm Sulaym’s house and sleep on her mattress when she was not there. He came one day and slept on her mattress, then someone went to her and said to her, “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is sleeping in your house on your bed.” She came and saw that he had sweated and his sweat had soaked a piece of cloth that was on the mattress. She opened her box and started collecting that sweat and squeezing it into bottles. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) woke with a start and said, “What are you doing, O Umm Sulaym?” She said, “O Messenger of Allaah, we hope for the barakah (blessing) of this sweat for our children.” He said, “You are right.”

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“The scholars are agreed that Umm Haraam was a mahram of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but they differed as to how that came about. Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr and others said that she was one of his maternal aunts through radaa’ah (breastfeeding). Others said that she was the maternal aunt of his father or his grandfather, because ‘Abd al-Muttalib’s mother was from Banu al-Najjaar.”

He also said:

“Umm Haraam was the sister of Umm Sulaym, and they were maternal aunts of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his mahrams, either through radaa’ah or through blood. So it was permissible for him to be alone with them and to enter upon them on his own, but he did not enter upon any other woman apart from his wives.

Taken from IslamQA