Acceptance of Islam & Marriage

The incidents of Hazrat Umme Sulaim’s (ra) acceptance of Islam and her wedding are very interesting. Before accepting Islam, she was married to Maalik Bin Nazar. Soon after Anas was born, she became one of the earliest followers in Madinah to join Islam.

However, her husband was adamant on his old religion. Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) would take up every opportunity to preach Islam to him but Maalik found her new beliefs so offensive that he moved to Syria and remained there till his death.

After Maalik’s death, she received a proposal of marriage from her fellow tribesman and the wealthiest man in Madinah, Abu Talhah Ansaari (ra). Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) turned down his proposal because Abu Talhah (ra) had not yet accepted Islam. With great regard for the honour of Islam, she said she could never marry an idolater.1

Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) urged Abu Talhah (ra) to consider the beautiful message of Islam in quite a wise manner. He belonged to a tribe that worshipped trees. Umme Sulaim (ra) asked him, ‘Don’t you know that the God you worship grows from earth?’ He replied, ‘Yes, indeed!’ Umme Sulaim (ra) replied, ‘Then don’t you feel embarrassed worshipping a mere tree?’

Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) further explained to him that although she couldn’t possibly refuse a proposal from a well-respected man such as himself, a marriage between a Muslim and an Idolater was simply unlawful. However, she proposed that if he accepted Islam, she would not demand any dowry from him. She said that his acceptance of Islam would be her true dowry. After a while, through Hazrat Umme Sulaim’s (ra) preaching, Abu Talhah (ra) accepted Islam. Fulfilling her promise, Umme Sulaim (ra) married him under the guardianship of her son Anas.2