Hazrat Umme Haani’s (ra) mother, Faatimah (ra), was a very virtuous woman. She was the Holy Prophet’s (sas) aunt and had the honour of raising him as a child. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) had a loving and respectful relationship with Hazrat Faatimah (ra). Allah blessed Hazrat Faatimah (ra) with such immense wisdom and intellect that she immediately accepted Islam when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) announced his prophethood. Hazrat Faatimah’s (ra) heart was full of devotion for Almighty Allah. At the time of her death, the Holy Prophet (sas) sat by her body and said in grief:
Oh my dear mother! May Allah shower you with His mercy. You were like a mother to me after my own. You let me eat to my heart’s content while you yourself remained hungry. You dressed me in the finest of clothing but kept your attire ordinary. You refrained yourself from fine foods but served them to me. Without a doubt, you did this purely for the pleasure of Allah, aiming for prosperity in the hereafter.
Hazrat Faatimah (ra) also attained a great honour from Allah that no other woman received. At the time of her funeral rites, the Holy Prophet ((sas) himself poured the camphor-infused water over her body. The Holy Prophet (sas) handed over his own shirt to cover her body and provided the funeral shroud to wrap over her. When the grave was ready, the Holy Prophet (sas) prepared the grave and scooped the dirt out from the ground with his own blessed hands. After the Holy Prophet (sas) prepared the grave, he laid her down in the grave, and prayed for her to be forgiven of all her sins and shown mercy by Allah the Almighty. Finally, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) led her funeral prayers and lowered her body into the ground.1
Hazrat Faatimah (ra) had four sons and three daughters. Her sons were named Hazrat ‘Aqeel (ra), Hazrat Ja‘far (ra), Hazrat Ali (ra) and Hazrat Taalib (ra). Besides Hazrat Umme Haani (ra), her other daughters were Hazrat Jamaanah (ra) and Hazrat Rabtah (ra). Her children inherited their parents’ good qualities.2
1 Al-Mu‘jamul-Kabeer lit-Tabraani, Vol. 24, pp. 351–352, Faatimah bint Asad ibn Haashim, Daaru Ihyaa’it-Turaathil-‘Arabiyyi, Beirut (1996)
2 At-Tabaqaatul-Kubraa, Muhammad bin Sa‘d, Vol. 8, p. 361, Tasmiyatun-Nisaa’il-Muslimaatil-Mubaaya‘aat Faatimah, Daaru Ihyaa’it-Turaathil-‘Arabiyyi, Beirut (1996)