When the rulers demanded that Fatima Zahra (s.a.) produce witnesses in support of her claim on Fadak, she advanced Umm Ayman as a witness, among others.
Before we venture into the Fadak testimony, it is worthwhile to review Umm Ayman’s stature in Islam.
Who is Umm Ayman?
Umm Ayman was the maid of the Prophet (s.a.w..a.). Her name was Barkah bint Tha’labah.
She was an immigrant, who had the honour of migrating twice – first to Ethiopia, later to Medina. She witnessed the battles of Hunain, Ohad and Khaibar. She was among the ladies who gave water to the Muslim soldiers and tended to the wounded.
The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to address her as ‘Mother’ and used to say – She is my mother after my real mother.
Ibn Hajar records: She narrated traditions from the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and others like Anas Ibn Malik, etc narrated on her authority.
She is mother to Ayman (from earlier marriage to Ubayd bin Zaid) and Osama Ibn Zaid. It is narrated that she was the maid of Abdullah Ibn Abdil Muttalib (a.s.), the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) father. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) got her as inheritance.
The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed the Muslims about her: One who wants to marry a woman of Paradise, should marry Umm Ayman.
Zaid Ibn Harith married her and Osama Ibn Zaid was their son.
She passed away in the early part of the third ruler’s tenure. According to some reports, she died six months after the Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
- Al-Isabah v 4 p 415
- Tehzeeb al-Tehzeeb v 12 p 459
- Tabaqaat
- Osod al-Ghabah v 5 p 567
Umm Ayman’s Fadak testimony rejected by rulers