Umm Hisham Bint Haritha A Great Neighbor

Umm Hisham was one of the first converts from Medinah Umm Hisham was one of the first converts from Medinah. She was also one of the Muslims who swore their allegiance to the Prophet under the tree in al hudaybiyya She was the daughter of another noteworthy Companion, Harithah bin Nu'man who was very wealthy and one of the leading and well-known personalities of Medinah. Her father had given away several houses as gifts for the use of the Prophet. In fact, in praise of this Companion the Prophet said: “He had given me so many houses that I felt embarrassed to ask him for a new one.” Umm Hisham bint Harithah was, like her father, a great personality, and an exemplary character

When the prophet migrated to Medinah he stayed with Abu Ayub Ansari for almost six months Harithah bin Nu'man was their next door neighbor and his Umm Hisham who was his daughter used to cook and send food for the Prophet to eat As discussed before, Prophet Muhammad had eleven wives and they did not live in the same home. Instead they had their own apartments attached to the Mosque. As the mosque and apartments were being built, the Prophet stayed with Abu Ayyub; but for each wife, Haritha bin Numan had given a house for them to live in. Also whenever the prophet married a new wife, Haritha Bin Numan would leave his home and offer it to the prophet and the new wife to stay in until the apartment for the new wife was ready.

Being neighbor to the Prophet, Umm Hisham bint Harithah visited the Prophet's house very often; thus she had the golden opportunity of meeting and mixing with the Mothers of the believers. Their character rubbed off on her. Loyal and faithful, she became very learned and knowledgeable in matters of the religion; and she gained that knowledge directly from the Prophet and his wives. She was very particular about cleanliness - especially ablution and prayer. On the days of 'Eid and on Fridays, the Prophet would recite Surah Qaf of the Qur'an. Umm Hisham had learned it by heart simply from listening to him. She had a very sharp mind and a remarkable memory. She also remembered many Ahadith by heart.

In the 6th year of Hijrah, the prophet set out for Mecca with 1,400 pure-minded companions; among them was Um Hisham. In Hudaybiyyah, they swore the oath of allegiance known as the Pledge of Ridwan, risking their life and their all for Islam. And it was about those people that Allah revealed: “Indeed Allah was truly pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance to you beneath the tree, so He knew what was in their hearts. He therefore sent down peace upon them, and rewarded them with an imminent victory” [Surat Al-Fath, verse 18] This group of people were later known by the “Companions of the Tree”, and were given the good news of Paradise by the prophet.

In fact the prophet said: “Those who took part in the Bai't Ridhwan are promised that the hell fire will never touch them..” Umm Hisham may not be noted for anything more, but she proved that simply believing in allah and being a good neighbor can be a means of attaining paradise Her cooking meals for the prophet and his wives. Her visiting to see if they were in need of anything. Her wanting for them what she would want for herself is the true essence of a Believer. When Umm Hisham's time of death came, imagine the comfort she had of knowing that because of these things, she could die in peace knowing that the hell fire would never touch her.