Umm Rooman Bird of Paradise

Umm Rooman was was the wife of Abu Bakr Siddiq and the mother of Aisha Umm Rooman was was the wife of Abu Bakr Siddiq and the mother of Aisha. Thus she became the Prophet's mother-in-law. Her son, 'Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr Siddiq was an excellent horseman, and a master strategist in war. She taught him the meaning of valor and courage. Her real name was Zaynab, but she is referred to in the ahadith as Umm Rooman. She was a patient and tolerant woman who did not jump to hasty conclusions. Instead she gave matters deep thought. While others tend to focus on what is right in front of them, Umm Rooman was able to look beneath the surface and see the big picture. This is something that few Muslims are capable of doing today.

Her husband, Abu Bakr was the second person to embrace islam, and when he shared his knowledge of Allah with her, she did not hesitate to accept the new believe and honor it. In fact, she was the only of his then wives to embrace islam and as a result; Abu Bakr divorced all the others It is written in Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd that Umm Rooman gave her allegiance to the Prophet directly and then immediately pitched in to help establish the new way of life, just as her husband did. When she witnessed the terrible atrocities committed by the Quraysh against the Muslims, she would suffer and weep for the innocent victims; but she gained courage when she saw the moral strength and exemplary sacrifice of her husband for the cause of Islam. She drew inspiration from Abu Bakr and found peace in his presence.

Upon embracing islam, Umm Rooman spent a lot of time in supplication and prayer. She would often be heard speaking to Allah when alone. During the day she spend her time either giving moral support to her husband for his efforts to propogate islam, or nurturing her children in the traditions of Islam. The Prophet often used to visited her home and he would advise Umm Rooman to keep encouraging and instilling the love of goodness in her children, particularly her daughter Aisha who was like a sponge and soaked up everything When the prophets wife Khadijah passed away, he had a dream that he had married Umm Rooman's daughter Aisha. The prophet then married Aisha from the command of Allah that was delivered to him by Jabreel. Thus Umm Rooman had the honor of becoming The Prophet's mother-in-law. She expressed great happiness at the thought that her daughter would be one of those who joined the ranks of the blessed Mothers of the Believers.

When the Prophet and Abu Bakr migrated to Medina, they had to leave their family behind and later send someone for them It was a very tough time for Umm Rooman; as there was a lack of money for household expenses, since Abu Bakr had taken all the available cash with him. However,instead of worrying how she and her family would manage, she instead devoted herself to supplicating Allah – asking for safe arrival for the Prophet and her husband and also she put her fate and that of her children in Allah's hands. Not long after they had left, word reached the Meccans that the Prophet and Abu Bakr had arrived in medina. Abu Bakr then sent 'Abdullah bin Ariqat; and wrote to his son to bring Umm Rooman and the rest of his family to Medina.

Upon leaving, Umm Rooman and Aisha got on one camel's back Upon leaving, Umm Rooman and Aisha got on one camel's back. The camel suddenly seemed out of control and started to jump, and almost threw them to the ground. Umm Rooman was worried about her beloved daughter Aisha who was newly married to the Prophet and called out, 'O my daughter, O my dear little bride!' Just then, someone Shouted for her to let go of the reins. Umm Rooman released the reins and this made the camel calm down. Now both mother and daughter were safe from danger and they began their journey to Medina Upon arriving in Medina, Abu Bakr had a home in the suburbs prepared for Um Rooman. Also he had an apartment later built next to the Mosque In Medina, Um Rooman continued to be a great moral support to her husband and she prepared her daughter for her role as a new wife

Prophet respected Umm Rooman very much, and she in turn gave first priority to doing things that pleased him. Therefore, life was very pleasant, and everyone was happy to be able to freely fulfill his or her obligations to Allah without being persecuted for doing so. Aisha had reached womanhood and moved into the home with her husband. Umm Rooman was happy for her daughter and made many supplications for her and the Prophet.

One day the Prophet praised Khadijah his deceased first wife at great length, while with his young wife Aisha. Aisha became very jealous and said to him that he was talking of Khadijah ' as if there was no other woman on earth but she. The Prophe did not like this at all, and his face reddened with a terrible anger. When Umm Rooman heard of this incident with her daughter and the prophet, she went to the Prophet and tried to apologize for Aisha telling him that she was still very young that he should not take her seriously. The prophet then recanted to her the entire incident and what was said. Umm Rooman knew Khadijah and like all the other Muslim's loved and respected her too. She listened silently and then when the Prophet called Aisha to the room, Umm Rooman admonished her daughter for having such an uncontrolled tongue.

Umm Rooman passed away in the year 6th after Hijrah Umm Rooman passed away in the year 6th after Hijrah. During her burial, the Prophet asked Allah to forgive her. It is said he made the following supplication for her: "O Allah, You know well what Umm Ruman suffered for the sake of you and your Messenger." It is also said that he said: “If you want to see a woman of Paradise, there lies Umm Rooman.” This statement was proof that she will be amongst the women of Paradise