Sunday, March 15, 2020

Dontconvert2islam exposes early Muslims; Ubaydullah's conversion?

In answer to the video "My favourite Sahaabi (companion of Muhammad)"


Umm Habiba/Ramlah and her first husband, Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh were among the first people to embrace Islam in Mecca, and they were among those early Muslims who emigrated to Abyssinia to escape persecution. It was a time where only the most steadfast in faith could remain on the straight path. Eventually Ubaydullah apostised and became a Christian. Ibn Ishaq related from al-Zubayr how he used to taunt the remaining Muslims in this time of hardships and isolation
"We see clearly, but your eyes are only half open!".
The remaining Muslims however were used to sacrifices, oppression and mockeries. These elements were among the most sincere in their faith to the point they abandonned their homes and relatives behind for the sake of Islam. Ubaydullah's lowly talk was unsuccessful and did not bring them down the same road of perdition as him. All his apostasy and subsequent behavior exposed was the true nature of his heart, as well as the uprightness of the patient Muslims. He tried to influence his wife too, but she stood fast by her Islam. This put Umm Habiba in a difficult position. She could no longer remain with him and neither return to her father Abu Sufyan who was an active opponent of Islam. So she remained with her daughter in Abyssinia, living a very simple life in isolation. Ubaydullah in the meantime had been addicted to heavy drinking of which he eventually died. On top of his half-heartedness, this could have been another factor that caused him to "see clearly" the "truth of Christianity", since Islam of course forbade that sinful deed and went against his evil desires. 

The Prophet Muhammad, as he learned of her situation through her father Abu Sufyan sent a message asking her hand in marriage. Abu Sufyan had converted to Islam, but was ostracized by the Muslims due to his past enmity. He thus approached the prophet with the suggestion about his daughter, hoping it would help his situation. The prophet accepted so as to bring peace among the different clans of the growing Muslim community. According to a hadith in Sunan abi Dawud, it was the Negus himself who married her to the prophet, in his absence. 

Although the prophet could have easily chosen any young single woman without any history of traumatic experience, without a child, already available from within the community, yet in his habit of taking upon himself the biggest share of the burden of responsibility towards the weak and helpless of the community, he extended his household to Ramlah. Just as he had previously done with Sawda who was widowed at an advanced age and in similar circumstances as Ramlah. Six years later, in 7 AH, when the situation back in Arabia began turning to the Muslims' advantage she could finally return home with the other Muslim immigrants. Umm Habiba came to Medina and there the Prophet Muhammad, who had just returned victorious from Khaybar, warmly welcomed her.

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