TREATMENT OF THE REBELS TOWARDS HAZRAT UMMI HABIBAH(ra)

From among the ummahatul-mu’minin, Hazrat Ummi Habibah(ra) was the first to come to the aid of Hazrat ‘Uthman(ra). Mounted on a mule, she brought a water-skin along with her. However, her real objective was to safeguard all the wills of the orphans and widows that belonged to Banu Umayyah, which were in the possession of Hazrat ‘Uthman(ra). When she saw that the rebels had stopped the water supply of Hazrat ‘Uthman(ra), she became fearful that they might destroy these wills as well, and thus desired to somehow safeguard these documents. After all, there were other means by which she could have delivered the water. When Hazrat Ummi Habibah reached the door of Hazrat ‘Uthman(ra), just as the rebels were about to stop her, the people exclaimed, “This is Ummul-Mu’minin, Ummi Habibah(ra).” However, the rebels still persisted and started beating her mule. Ummul-Mu’minin, Ummi Habibah(ra) explained:

“I fear lest the wills of the orphans and widows of the Banu Umayyah should be destroyed. For this reason, I wish to go inside in order to arrange for their safekeeping.”

However, these wretched people replied to the blessed wife of the Holy Prophet(sa), “You are lying.” The rebels then attacked her mule and cut the straps of its packsaddle. The saddle fell to one side. Hazrat Ummi Habibah(ra) was on the verge of falling off and being martyred under the feet of the rebels, but a few people of Madinah, who were close by, dashed to her aid and escorted her home.1