At the time of Makkah’s conquest, Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) had an honour that no other female companion of the Prophet (sas) ever received. The Holy Prophet (sas) went to Hazrat Umme Haani’s (ra) home and performed eight voluntary rak‘aat of prayer in gratitude. It was the time of optional, late-morning prayers. Umme Haani (ra) narrates, ‘I had never seen the Holy Prophet perform such a short salat, however he performed his prayer and prostrations in a very peaceful and content manner.’ Further, she also had the honour of the Holy Prophet (sas) dining at her home and complimenting her cooking. The food he ate consisted of pieces of dry flat bread soaked in water and drizzled with vinegar instead of a sauce. The Holy Prophet (sas) said, ‘O Umme Haani, vinegar is the best sauce; the household that keeps vinegar, is never poor.’1
Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) also had the distinguished honour of the Holy Prophet (sas) resting at her home on the evening of his (sas) Spiritual Night Journey, which is called Israa.’ Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) narrates:
That day after performing ‘Ishaa prayers, the Holy Prophet (sas) slept in our home. After Fajr prayers, he said, ‘Oh Umme Haani (ra), I went to Baitul-Muqaddas and prayed there, and afterwards I performed my morning prayers with you.’
Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) advised him, ‘Do not tell people about this or they will call you a liar.’ To this the Holy Prophet (sas) replied, ‘By God! I will tell people for sure.’ Later, when the Holy Prophet (sas) informed others about the Night Journey, they were amazed by it.2
The Night Journey of the Holy Prophet (sas) was not a physical journey, but rather a spiritual journey in which Allah showed him things that no other human being had ever seen. This miracle is mentioned in the Holy Quran as followings:
Glory be to Him who took His servant along by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Distant Mosque, the environs of which We have blessed… (Surah Bani Israa’eel, 17:2)
In this vision, the Archangel Jibraa’eel [Gabriel] brought a heavenly creature to the Holy Prophet (sas) and told him to mount it. The creature looked like a beautiful white horse and it was called al-Buraaq. Once mounted, the creature took flight and carried the Holy Prophet (sas) to the holy city of Jerusalem. In this sacred and holy place, the Holy Prophet (sas) led congregational prayers in which all the other Prophets of God that had come before him stood in congregation behind him.
Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) also took part in the Battle of Khyber with the Holy Prophet (sas). He granted her food grains worth forty camel loads from the bounty won in the battle.3
1 As-Seeratul-Halabiyyah, Abil-Farj Nooruddeen ‘Ali bin Ibraaheem, Vol. 3, p. 134, Baab Dhikru Maghaazihi Fathu Makkata Sharrafahallaahu Ta‘aalaa, Daarul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut (2002)
2 At-Tabaqaatul-Kubraa, Muhammad bin Sa‘d, Vol. 1, p. 103, Dhikru Lailatin Usriya bi-Rasoolillaahi Ilaa Baitil-Muqaddas, Daaru Ihyaa’it-Turaathil-‘Arabiyy, Beirut (1996)
3 At-Tabaqaatul-Kubraa, Muhammad bin Sa‘d, Vol. 8, p. 266, Dhikru Banaati ‘Umoomati Rasoolillaah (sas) - Umme Haani, published by Daaru Ihyaa’it-Turaathil-‘Arabiyy, Beirut (1996)