His Sister Hazrat Himna bint Abi Jahsh (ra)
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) narrates the incident of the Holy Prophet (sa) regarding the sister of Hazrat Abdullah bin Jahsh (ra) whilst they were returning from the Battle of Uhud. He states that this has been recorded in history, or he has narrated it in his own words, that in the Battle of Uhud, it can be witnessed just how the Holy Prophet (sa) displayed great courage and his high morals and how he was compassionate to the people and won their hearts.
From the state of affairs of this battle, one can begin to understand the heights of his moral condition and appreciate the unrivalled sacrifices of his Companions. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) writes:
“I speak of that time when the Holy Prophet (sa) was returning to Medina after the battle had ended. When the women of Medina had heard news of the martyrdom of Abdullah (ra) bin Jahsh, they became extremely anxious and when they heard the Holy Prophet (sa) was returning, they waited at a short distance outside of Medina to welcome him. Among them was his sister-in-law, Himna (ra) bint Abi Jahsh three of whose close relatives had been martyred during the battle. When the Holy Prophet(sa) saw her, he told her to grieve over her loss. This is an Arabic idiom which means that I am informing you of the death of your relative.
“Himna (ra) bint Jahsh replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Who shall I grieve over?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) answered, ‘Your uncle Hamza (ra) has been martyred.’ Upon hearing this Hazrat Himna said, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return’ and then said ‘May God elevate his status, he was met with a prosperous end.’
“Then the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Himna! Now grieve over another loss’. Hazrat Himna (ra) replied ‘O Messenger of Allah (sa)! Whom shall I grieve over?’ He answered, ‘your brother Abdullah (ra) bin Jahsh has been martyred.’ Himna again said, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return, all praise is due to God, he was met with a prosperous end.’
“The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, ‘Now grieve over another loss’. Hazrat Himna (ra) replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah (sa)! Whom shall I grieve over?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘Your husband was also martyred.’ When she heard this, tears fell from Hazrat Himna’s eyes and she replied, ‘Woe unto me’ The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, ‘Look how strong the bond is between a woman and her husband. When I informed Himna of the death of her uncle she said ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return’; when I informed her of the death of her brother she again said, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return’, but when I informed her of the death of her husband, she heaved a sigh and said, ‘Woe unto me’ and was unable to hold back her tears with all the grief.’
“The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, ‘In such circumstances women forget all their close relatives and blood-relations and she remembers her loving husband.’ Thereafter he asked Hazrat Himna (ra), ‘Why did you say woe unto me?’ She replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah! His son came to my mind as to who would now take care of him.’”
(Aside from the love for her husband – if a husband is loving only then will a wife fondly remember him – however, she showed great concern for their children. This is a lesson for men and women today that you should become loving husbands and women should become such mothers who care about their children. Furthermore, to become such loving husbands you must fulfil the rights of your wives and children and many complaints are received in this regard nowadays that rights are not being upheld.)
“How beautiful is the statement of the Holy Prophet (sa). He said to Himna (ra), ‘I pray to God Almighty that He brings forth someone who takes even better care than your husband (i.e. taking care of the children in an even better manner).’ It was a result of this prayer that Himna (ra) was married to Hazrat Talha(ra) and they had a son, Muhammad bin Talha. However history tells us that Hazrat Talha (ra) did not show as much love and compassion to Muhammad bin Talha as he did to the previous children of Himna (ra). People would say that no one could love their step-children as much as Talha (ra) did. All of this was a result of the prayers of the Holy Prophet (sa).
(Masaib Ke Neeche Barkatoun Ke Khazane Makhfi Hote Hain, Anwar-ul-Uloom, Vol.19, pp. 56-57).