Wisdom & Knowledge

In Makkah, Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) had a reputation among the women of Quraish, but especially among the Haashmi women, of being a wise and intellectual woman, and a good counsellor. Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) had a high level of knowledge and narrated around forty-six ahaadeeth. Her narrated ahaadeeth are found in Sihaah Sittah, the six most authentic books of hadith.1 Her son, Hazrat Ja‘dah (ra) and grandson Haaroon (ra) have also narrated ahaadeeth referencing her.2 One such lovely hadith is narrated by Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) in which there is a message and guidance for all Muslim women and girls in reference to Hazrat Ayesha (ra):

Translation: Umme Haanira narrates that the Holy Prophetsaw said, ‘O Ayesha (ra)! The Holy Quran and knowledge should be your Shi‘aar.’3

Meaning, you should have such attachment with the Quran and knowledge that nothing else should be more precious or close to you (Shi‘aar is the piece of garment that is close to the body).’

Hazrat Umme Haani (ra) was a humble and chaste woman. As she grew older and her body weakened, she was concerned that she was not able to do justice to worshipping Allah. She took her concern to the Holy Prophet (sas) and asked him, ‘I am old now and feel weak walking around; give me some prayers that I could recite when seated.’ The Holy Prophet (sas) replied, ‘Recite subhaanAllah 100 times, alhamdulillah 100 times, Allahu Akbar 100 times, and Laa Ilaaha Illallaahu 100 times.’4 In this way, she kept busy in the remembrance of Allah.