Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) was also the maternal aunt of the Holy Prophet (sas) and her husband Abu Talhah (ra) was a true devotee of the Prophet (sas). The Holy Prophet (sas) used to visit their home with frankness and would occasionally take rest there. When Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) served him food, he would accept it. Similarly, she would openly ask him religious questions which the Holy Prophet (sas) would graciously answer.
Once, when the Holy Prophet (sas) visited her home in her absence, he laid down to take a little rest. Someone informed Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) that the Holy Prophet (sas) was resting at her house. When she returned home, she noticed that the Holy Prophet (sas) was drenched in sweat. Taking advantage of the situation, she wiped away his sweat and started collecting it in a bottle. The Holy Prophet (sas) woke up startled and asked what she was doing. Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) explained, ‘I will put it in my perfume bottle because your sweat is the sweetest of all scents. I am doing it so my children could find blessings from it.’ The Holy Prophet (sas) replied, ‘That’s alright.’1
Similarly, once when the Holy Prophet (sas) was visiting her, she served him some dates and butter. He told her to keep the food in the dish, as he was fasting. Then the Holy Prophet (sas) went to a corner in Hazrat Umme Sulaim’s (ra) house and offered nafl [optional prayer], and prayed for her and her family. Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) told the Holy Prophet (sas) that she had a wish. Upon the Holy Prophet’s (sas) inquiry, she asked him to pray for her son, his attendant Anas. The Holy Prophet (sas) prayed, ‘O Allah! Bless Anas’s wealth and children.’ Almighty Allah accepted his prayers in an astounding manner. Hence, Hazrat Anas’s (ra) progeny numbered 100 or so during his lifetime, his gardens bore fruit twice a year, and he lived a very long life.2
Once, someone asked the Holy Prophet (sas), ‘Besides visiting Ummahaatul-Mu’mineen [the Mothers of the Faithful], you visit only Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra). What is the reasoning behind it?’ The Holy Prophet (sas) replied, ‘I have a maternal relation with her, so it is necessary for me to respect this obligation.’ He added, ‘Secondly, her father and brother got martyred in a battle, and I respect that as well.’3
1 Saheeh Muslim, Kitaabul-Fazaa’il, Baabu Teebi Araqin-Nabiyyi (sas) wat-Tabarruki bihi, Hadith 6055–6056.
2 Saheeh Bukhaari, Kitaabus-Saumi, Baabu Man Zaara Qauman fa-lam Yuftir ‘indahum, Hadith 1982.
3 Saheeh Muslim, Kitabu Fazaa’ilis-Sahaaba, Baabu min Fazaa’ili Umme Sulaim, Umme Anas ibn Maalik, and Bilaal (ra), Hadith no. 6319. See also Al-Isaabah fi Tamyeezis-Sahaabah by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani, part 4, p. 461, Umme Sulaim (ra), first edition, 1328 Hijri.