Saudi Arabia
Companion of the Prophet Muhammad
Barakah bint Tha’alaba, or, as she is known by her kunya, Umm Ayman was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. She was a slave of Abyssinian origin in the household of Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib and Aminah bint Wahb (the parents of the Prophet Muhammad). It is said that she was the first person to hold him after he was born. After the death of the Prophet’s mother, she took on a maternal role in the life of the Prophet. According to Ibn Kathir, the Prophet’s paternal grandfather and his mother Aminah personally asked Barakah to take care of their son. After his marriage to Khadija, the Prophet freed Barakah and arranged for her to wed Ubayd ibn Zaid. It was from this marriage that she had her son, Ayman. After Muhammad received the revelation of Islam, Barakah was amongst the first converts, and her family followed soon after. Ubayd ibn Zaid was martyred in the Battle of Khaybar, fighting in defense of the Prophet, while Ayman was martyred in the Battle of Hunayn. The Prophet later arranged for Barakah to marry his adopted son Zayb ibn Harithah. From this marriage, Barakah bore a son name Usama, who grew up to lead a Muslim expedition into the Byzantine Empire. Despite being of an older age, Barakah insisted on joining the Prophet on his trek to Medina and fearlessly completed the harsh journey. Upon reaching Medina, the Prophet turned to the fatigued Barakah and exclaimed, “"Ya Umm Ayman! Ya Ummi! (O Umm Ayman! O my mother!) Indeed for you is a place in Paradise!"” Barakah was also known for her fierce bravery. When the Quraysh plotted again Muhammad, she risked her life to gather information about their plans. She also accompanied the Prophet in various battles, such as the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of Khaybar. At the Battle of Uhud, she fetched water for the Muslim soldiers and helped treat the wounded. When the Prophet Muhammad was rumored to have died during the Battle of Uhud, many of the Muslims ran away from the battlefield while Barakah stood her ground. She threw dust on the runaway soldiers, offered them a spindle, and said, “give me your sword and you spin the spindle.” She approached the battlefield with some other Muslim women, intending to fight. She was injured by Hebban bin Araqa, an enemy soldier's, arrow The Prophet is often described as being very fond of Barakah and, on occasions, has referred to her as his sister and mother. He frequently sought out her company in times of hardship and happiness. When Usamah bint Barakah was born, it is said that the Prophet doted on him as he was the child of two of his most beloved. The Prophet has guaranteed Barakah a place in Paradise in various narrations. The date of Barakah's death is unclear, with some stating that she passed away five months after the Prophet, while others say she lived to see the caliphate of Uthman.
