We have just observed the month of the Quran, Ramadan, so it is pertinent to commemorate the lives of some of the earliest reciters and Huffaadh (those who memorise the entire Quran).
Startling Facts:
- Umm Waraqah (rta) was an Ansari woman with noble lineage.
- Literacy across Arabia was uncommon so amongst women, it was even rarer. Umm Waraqah (rta) was one of the very few Madinah women who was literate.
- She inherited a huge amount of wealth.
- She was not involved in the politics of pre-Islamic Madinah.
- She embraced Islam when Musab bin Umair (rta) started preaching in Madinah.
- She became a proficient reciter of the Quran and committed it to memory. She was also known for fasting regularly and praying late at night.
- Umm Waraqah (rta) became one the earliest teachers of the Quran for women and dedicated herself to learning and teaching Islam.
Points to Ponder
- In one narration, the Prophet (sa) is reported to have asked her to lead the prayers for her household. However, it is not clear what constituted her household.
- She came to the Prophet (sa) before the Battle of Badr and requested to be allowed to participate, even if it meant just to treat the sick. She said: ‘I want Allah to grant me martyrdom.’ The Prophet (sa) told her to stay in her home and trust that Allah will grant her martyrdom. So she gained the nickname ‘Ash-Shaheedah’ (The Female Martyr), and the Prophet (sa) and his Companions would visit her, referring to her by her nickname.
- People could hear her reciting the Quran in her home in the silence of the night.
- She lived a long life till Omar’s (rta) Caliphate. One day, Omar (rta) remarked that he didn’t hear her his Aunt (an honorific title for Umm Waraqah) reciting last night. This shows how regular she was in her nightly worship. When he visited her house, he discovered that her male and female servant had murdered her and stolen her wealth. Omar (rta) exclaimed: ‘The Prophet (sa) was truthful when he used to say that let’s go visit the Shaheeda!’ Omar (rta) found the murderers and had them executed.
Allah (swt), in His perfect wisdom, decreed each Companion with a distinct life and struggle so that people over the ages could easily relate to their circumstances, hopes and aspirations. The Prophet (sa) understood her value as a Quran teacher and wanted her to fulfill that need of the Muslim society.
Allah (swt) appreciated her desire and pure intention for martyrdom and so He decreed it for her within the confines of her own home. Like Omar (rta), she too could not foresee how the Prophet (sa)’s prophecy would be fulfilled but she waited patiently and with firm belief.
Umm Waraqah’s (rta) example teaches us the value of pure intentions, patience and strong Iman as well as a purposeful life.
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