Barakah, an Abyssinian girl, became a servant in Abdullah’s, (father of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) household. Abdullah left for trade to Syria 2 weeks after he married Aminah. Barakah stayed at Aminah’s side. Aminah was pregnant and Abdullah passed away on that trip. Barakah nursed Aminah until she gave birth to Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Barakah was the first to hold him.
When Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was 6, his mother visited the grave of Abdullah in Yathrib (Madinah). On the way back to Makkah, Aminah became ill. Before she died, she told Barakah to be a mother to Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Barakah buried Aminah herself. She then looked after the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam until he married Khadijah radhiallahu anha. Barakah stayed with them.
She married Ubayd ibn Zayd and went with him to Yathrib. She gave birth to a son named Ayman and was called Umm Ayman. Her husband died and she returned to Makkah to live with Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Barakah was among the first to accept Islam. At 50 she married Zayd ibn Harithah, adopted son of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. They had a son named Usamah. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam loved Usamah as his own son. Umm Ayman migrated to Madinah. At Uhud she tended the wounded.
Her son Ayman was martyred at Hunayn. Her husband Zayd was killed at Mutah when she was 70. Barakah was unique in that she was the only one who was so close to the Prophet throughout his life from birth till death. She died during the caliphate of Uthman radhiallahu anhu. Her roots were unknown but her place in Paradise was assured. `
UMM AYMAN
