Maimoona (r.a.) - wife of Rasulullah (saw)

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) after his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s Nikah to Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha). Her name was also Barrah. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) changed it to Maimoona. She was the sister of Hadhrat Ummul Fadhl (radhiAllaahu anha), who was the wife of Hadhrat Abbaas bin Abi Talib (radhiAllaahu anhu). Her father’s name was Haarith and her mother’s name was Khaulah binti Auf. Regarding her first husband, there is a great difference of opinion. Some have stated him to be Abu Raham bin Abde Uzza, others have stated him to be Sanjara bin Abi Raham, others have stated that it is Huwaitab bin Abde Uzza, and some have stated him to be Farwa bin Abdul Uzza.

HER COMING INTO THE SANCTUARY OF NABUWWAT

When Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha)’s first husband died, her brother in law, Hadhrat Abbaas bin Abdul Mutallib (radhiAllaahu anhu) asked Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) if he would not like to marry Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha). Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) accepted and he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was married to her. It has also been narrated that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent a proposal of marriage to Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) via Hadhrat Ja`far bin Abi Talib (radhiAllaahu anhu). She appointed Hadhrat Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhu) as her Wakeel and he married her to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). This Nikah was enacted in the 7^thyear A.H. on a journey.

When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was returning from the Umrah-e-Qadha, from Macca Muazzama, he first met Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) in his tent in a place called ‘Sarf’.

An interesting ‘coincidence’ in the life of Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha), is that in the exact place where Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) met her for the first time, after their Nikah, she passed away and was buried in exactly the same spot.

This nikah is reported in the Hadith Kitaabs in two ways.

Yazeed ibn Asam reports that when Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made Nikah to Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha), he was not yet in Ihraam. Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made nikah to Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) in the state of Ihraam.

This difference in narrations has led to the difference in opinion between the Imaams of Fiqh, regarding whether Nikah in the state of Ihraam is valid or not?

Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullahi alaih) and many other senior Ulama mention that Nikah in the state of Ihraam is valid and permissible. According to Imaams Maalik and Shaafi (rahmatullahi alaihima), and others, Nikah in the state of Ihraam is not valid. The proofs for each side are enumerated in the kitaabs of Fiqh. This difference of opinion is only regarding the Nikah itself. With regard to the actions after the Nikah, there is no difference of opinion, that this is not permissible in the state of Ihraam. Hadhrat Sheikh Muhyu Sunnat (rahmatullahi alaih) reconciles the two ‘conflicting’ narrations as follows: The Nikah was performed before Ihraam was put on and this(Nikah) became well-known, after the Ihraam was put on.

COMPANIONSHIP WITH NABI (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) was married to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in the 7^th year A.H. , and Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) passed away on the 10^th year A.H. Hence, Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) was in the company of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) for 3 years. She stayed with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and benefited from his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s knowledge, just like the other co-wives. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhu), who was her nephew, was also one of her special students.

Once it became known that Ibn Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhu) used to separate his bed from his wife’s during her menstruation period. (As a precautionary measure) He did not even lie down next to her when she was in this state. Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) sent her salve to him to tell him that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to lie down next to his wives when they were in their menstruation, so why does he act contrary to the Sunnat.

HADHRAT AISHA (RADHIALLAHU ANHA)’S PRAISES

Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) said the following in praise of Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha):

“Know, that she was the most pious amongst us and the one who maintained family ties the most.”

AN INCIDENT

Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) was with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) during the Hajj. On the 9^th of Zill Hijjah the people were doubting as to whether Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had Roza (fast) or not. Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) sent a container of milk to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) drank it up. In this way everyone came to know that he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was not fasting. According to some narrations it appears as if Hadhrat Ummul Fadhl (radhiAllaahu anha), the sister of Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) had sent the milk. It is possible that the sisters had made Mashwera and sent the milk. However, the narrators of this Hadith have mentioned their names separately. [Although the fast of the 9^th of Zill Hijjah is extremely virtuous, it is better for the Haaji not to keep it ,as it would be an imposition of difficulty upon himself, since he will be busy with the rituals of the day of Arafaat.]

EXCESSIVE SALAAT

Hadhrat Yazeed bin Asam (radhiAllaahu anhu) reports that Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) was always busy in Salaat, or with house duties. If she found time out from these two duties, then she would busy herself with the Miswaak.

DEMISE

Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away in the year 51 A.H. Although there are other views regarding the date of her demise, this one is the most preferred. It is reported in ‘Isti`aab’ that Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhu) performed her Janaaza Salaat. He, together with Yazeed bin Asam and Ubaidullah bin Shadaad (radhiAllaahu anhum), lowered her into the grave. They were all her sisters’ children. Her demise and grave are at the place called ‘Sarf’, as previously mentioned.

It is reported in ‘Majma`us Zawaa`id’ that Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha) was resident in Macca Muazzama. There her health deteriorated. She said that she must be taken out of Macca Muazzama, as her death will not occur there. This , she said was foretold to her by Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). She was taken to Sarf and there she passed away.

As she was lowered into the grave Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhu) said that she must be respected and the body must not be shaken too much.

After, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made Nikah to Hadhrat Maimoona (radhiAllaahu anha), he did not marry anyone else after that.

May Allaah Ta`ala be pleased with her.