29 Facts About Umm Salama

Umm Salama was one of the most influential female companions of Muhammad.

Umm Salama is recognized largely for recalling numerous Hadiths, or sayings and narrations attributed to Muhammad.

Shia Muslims believe that Umm Salama was the most important wife of Muhammad after Khadija.

Umm Salama was an elite member of his Quraysh tribe, known for his great generosity, especially to travelers.

Umm Salama's mother was 'Atikah bint 'Amir ibn Rabi'ah, of the Firas ibn Ghanam branch of the Kinana.

Abu Salama was Muhammad's foster brother and one of his close companions.

Umm Salama bore for Abu Salama four children: Salama, Umar, Zaynab and Ruqayyah.

Umm Salama abandoned her honorable life in her clan in Mecca to make the migration.

Umm Salama is our son and we have a first claim over him.

Abu Umm Salama made the trip to Medina alone, leaving his wife and child in Mecca.

Umm Salama had no family in Medina except her small children, but she was given support by both the Muhajirun and Ansar.

Umm Salama was married to Muhammad at the age of 32.

However, the latter Fatimah is thought to have married Ali in 1 AH or 2 AH, Fatimah bint Asad died in 4 AH, and Umm Salama married Muhammad in year 5, so any guardianship must have been purely nominal.

Umm Salama became the eldest of all of Muhammad's wives.

Umm Salama became the highest-ranking wife of Muhammad, only behind Khadija.

Umm Salama's elevated status among the rest of the wives was a result of her presence in many wars and her defense of the household of Muhammad.

Umm Salama was often looked up to by the rest of the wives of Muhammad due to her intelligence and political knowledge.

Umm Salama herself narrated 378 Hadith, among them being some of the most important.

Umm Salama was the last of the wives of Muhammad to pass away.

Umm Salama was an exceptional wife of Muhammad in her faith and morals.

Umm Salama was known in society for her intelligence, political savvy, and activity in fighting for women's rights.

Umm Salama was active in the movement for women's rights in early Islamic society too.

Umm Salama possessed very good judgment, rapid powers of reasoning, and unparalleled ability to formulate correct opinions.

Umm Salama acted as Muhammad's advisor during negotiations concerning the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with the Meccans in 628 CE One of the main objects of this treaty was to determine the relations between Muhammad and the Muslims of Medina with the Quraysh in Mecca.

Umm Salama took a strong position in the Battle of the Camel, in which the factions of Aisha and Ali were in direct opposition.

Umm Salama openly disagreed with the involvement of Aisha in the battle.

Umm Salama strongly supported the faction of Ali, and is said to have recalled stories in which Muhammad favors Ali and Fatimah to back up her opinions on the battle.

Umm Salama even sent her son, Umar, to fight for Ali's victory.

Umm Salama sought out equality and autonomy for Muslim women and never hesitated to posit political questions to Muhammad.