TweetShe was the daughter of Tha’labah ibn Asram ibn Fahr and was married to Aws ibn Saamit. This lucky lady is mentioned in the Qur’an in Suratul Mujaadilah...I have mentioned her in the poem “Read! O Muminah” so I thought I would elaborate on her story.
It has been reported regarding Umar RA that once while he was out with some people they passed by an old woman with whom he started a conversation. A man said to him, “O Ameerul Mu’mimneen! You have brought to a halt the people due to this old woman?” He replied, “Woe be to you! Do you even know who she is? She is the woman whose complaint Allah the Almighty heard above the seven skies. This is Khawlah bint Tha’labah regarding whom Allah revealed, ‘Indeed Allah has heard the statement of her (Khawlah bint Tha’labah) that disputes with you (O Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), and complains to Allah...(Al Mujaadilah)’. By Allah! Even if she stood till night I would not leave but for salaah then I would return”
In the days of ignorance a wife would become unlawful for her husband by means of “zihaar” (In disagreement a man saying that she was unlawful upon him as his mother’s back and this in effect was adivorce). The first amongst the Muslims to carry out such an act was Aws ibn Saamit RA who was known to suffer from a slight mental derangement. He was married to his cousin Khawlah bint Tha’labah to whom he once said, “You are unlawful upon me as my mother’s back.” He then regretted his utterance. Khawlah approached the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam saying, “O Prophet of Allah! You know Aws, the father of my children, my cousin and the most beloved to me. You are also aware of his mental state and he has uttered a statement. I swear by He Who has revealed unto you Al-Kitaab, he did not mention divorce but said ‘You are unlawful upon me as my mother’s back’”.
The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “I do not see but that you remain unlawful upon him.” However Khawlah disputed this with him over and over again. She then said, “O Allah! I complain to You of my intense love and how difficult upon me is his separation. O Allah! Reveal unto Your Prophet’s tongue in what there is relief for me”
‘Aisha, the wife of the Prophet sallallaahu‘alayhi wasallam, said that Khawlah cried and whoever was around her also cried in pity. While in this state a revelation came down upon the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam (they waited as his face became pale and ashen with sweat trickling down like pearls). ‘Aisha said that it seemed that Khawlah’s soul would depart before the revelation was completed in the fear that the order of separation was about to be revealed when finally the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said with a smile, “O Khawlah!” She replied, “Labbayk!” and stood up in happiness at seeing his smile. He said, “Allah has revealed regarding you and him” and thereafter recited the verses. He then explained how her husband would have to pay ca penalty before she became lawful to him.
And this is the beautiful story of Khawlah bint ThaÂ’labah whose complain was heard above the seven skies! In this I have found great lessons...why complain to anyone but Allah the Almighty in Whose controls are the hearts of all men? Why give up and become despondent when there is the Merciful Lord watching over us? Is it not He Who has destined for us every situation, so why not reap rewards by adopting patience and turning to Him?
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posted by ummi taalib on 26th May 2010 - 0 comments
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