An exemplary instance of Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) and her husband Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) is when they displayed extraordinary patience on the death of their son, Abu Umair (ra). Abu Umair (ra), who was Umme Sulaim’s (ra) beloved son, suddenly fell ill. His father, Abu Talhah (ra), was travelling at the time. In this state of illness, Abu Umair (ra) passed away all of a sudden. Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) displayed immense patience on losing a child she loved so dearly. Neither did she display any anxiety, nor did she disturb her husband once he returned home. Instead, she displayed exemplary patience by considering Abu Umair (ra) a mere trust granted by Almighty Allah. She advised everyone in the household not to inform Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) about Abu Umair’s (ra) death. When Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) returned home at night and inquired after his ill son, Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) tactfully replied that the child was at peace. She actually meant that Abu Umair (ra) was now free of his pain and had met his Maker. Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra), however, assumed that perhaps Abu Umair (ra) was healthy again. She then served him dinner and they went to sleep.
In the morning, when Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) was about to leave for offering morning prayers at the Prophet’s (sas) Mosque, Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) stopped him and asked, ‘Abu Talhah! If someone entrusts us with something and then asks for its return, should we give it back or not?’ Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) replied, ‘Yes! Why not?’ Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) said, ‘Then you should have patience on your son’s death because he was also a trust from Allah that we were entrusted with. Now He has taken His trust back from us.’ Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) then went to the Holy Prophet (sas) at the Prophet’s (sas) Mosque and told him the whole incident. The Holy Prophets aw prayed, ‘May Allah make this night a source of blessings for you and give you a better blessing in return.’ This prayer of the Holy Prophet (sas) was fulfilled and Almighty Allah blessed her progeny so much that Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) had ten sons and all of them were Haafiz-e-Quran [those who memorize the entire Holy Quran].1
Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) loved the Holy Prophet (sas) dearly. Once the Holy Prophet (sas) paid her a visit. Feeling thirsty, he got up and helped himself to some water from a small water bottle. Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) cut off the opening of that small water bottle and kept it as sacred relic for herself for herself.2 Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) even saved the Holy Prophet’s (sas) hair trimmings in a bottle. Similarly, she kept his sweat as perfume. However, Hazrat Anas (ra) made a will before his death for these items to be buried with him.3
1 Saheeh Muslim, Kitaabu Fazaa’ilis-Sahaaba, Baabu min Fazaa’ili Abi Talhatal-Ansaari (ra), Hadith no. 6322. See also Al-Isaabah fi Tamyeezis-Sahaabah by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani, part 4, p. 461, Umme Sulaim (ra), first edition, 1328 Hijri.
2 Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Hadith Umme Sulaim, Vol. 8, p. 861, ‘Aalamul-Kutub, Beirut, 1998, Hadith 27974.
3 Saheeh Bukhaari, Kitaabul-Isti’dhaan, Baabu Man Zaara Qauman fa-Qaala ‘indahum, Hadith 6281.