Hospitality

Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) was a very hospitable and caring lady. There is a well-known incident of her sacrifice and dedication in the history of Islam. Once, when a guest was visiting the Holy Prophet (sas), he sent a message to his pious wives to arrange for some hospitality. It so happened that, none of them had anything to serve at that time. When the Holy Prophet (sas) appealed to his companions, Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) happily accepted this responsibility. He informed Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) when he got home that she had to arrange for a meal for the Holy Prophet’s (sas) guest. Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) told him that they had only a little bit of food for the children. In that situation, they decided to send their children to bed one way or another and serve whatever food they had to the guest. Hence, this is exactly what they did. At meal time, Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) got up and pretended to fix the lamp but instead turned it off so the guest could eat heartily. When the guest began his meal, they both pretended as if they were eating, by making chewing sounds. They spent the night with empty stomachs. In the morning, Hazrat Abu Talhah (ra) went to see the Holy Prophet (sas). The Prophet (sas) said, ‘On your good treatment of my guest last night, even Allah was smiling with joy!’1