Page 8 7KH ,VODPLF %XOOHWLQ The Negus himself announced his belief in the one true God and the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh). He also announced his determination to protect the Muslims in his land. The long journey on the road of hardship and tribulation had finally led to an oasis of serenity. So Umm Habibah thought. She did not know that her new-found freedom and sense of peace were soon to be shattered. She was to be put through a test of the most severe and harrowing kind. One night as Umm Habibah slept, she had a vision in which she saw her husband in the midst of a bottomless ocean covered by wave upon wave of darkness. He was in a most perilous situation. She woke up, frightened. But she did not wish to tell her husband or anyone else what she had seen. The day after that ominous dream, her husband announced his rejection of Islam and his acceptance of Christianity. What a terrible blow! She did not expect this of her husband. Worse yet, he then gave her an ultimatum of divorce or accepting Christianity. UmmHabibah reviewed the three options before her. She could remain with her husband and become a Christian, she could return to her father’s house in Makkah, or she could stay alone in the land of the Negus as a displaced fugitive, without country, family or a supporter. Option #1 was out of the question. She would never renounce her belief even under torture, so strong was her faith. Option #2 would mean being suppressed and subdued back in her fathers’ house, and still unable to practice her faith. Option #2 was also not an option. She was not in an enviable situation, but she had courage and faith. She made the choice that she considered the most pleasing to God. She made up her mind to stay in Abyssinia until such time as God granted her relief. She divorced her husband who ended up living only a short while after becoming a Christian. Possibly because he began drinking wine frequently and this undoubtedly helped to destroy him. Umm Habibah stayed in Abyssinia for almost ten years. How was her life? How much courage did it take for her to remain in a strange land alone? Although there were about eighty other Muslims in exile with her, she still must have at times wondered if she had chosen right. Was God pleased with her suffering and efforts? How strong her faith and devotion must have been to remain steadfast. Towards the end of this vigil, relief and happiness came from an unexpected quarter. One morning there was a loud knocking on her door. It was Abrahah, the special maid-servant of the Negus. Abrahah was beaming with joy as she greeted Umm Habibah, “The Negus sends his greetings and says to you that Muhammad, theMessenger of God, wants you to marry him and that he has sent a letter in which he has appointed him to contract the marriage between you. If you agree, you are to appoint a wakil to act on your behalf.” UmmHabibah was in the clouds with happiness. She shouted to herself, “God has given you glad tidings. God has given you glad tidings.” She surely must have been dancing around the room in her joy! She took off her jewelry, her necklace, bracelets, rings, and gave them to Abrahah. If she had possessed all the treasures of the world, she would have given them to Abrahah at that moment of sheer joy. Finally, she said; “I appoint Khalid ibn Said ibn al-Aas to act on my behalf.” In the palace of the Negus, set in beautiful gardens, the group of Muslim converts living in Abyssinia gathered in one of the lavishly decorated and sumptuously furnished halls. They included Jafar ibn Abi Talib, Khalid ibn Said, Abdullah ibn Hudhafah as-Sahmi and others. They had gathered to witness the marriage contract. When the marriage was finalized, the Negus said; “I praise God, the Holy, and I declare that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger and that He gave the good tidings to Jesus the son of Mary.” “The Messenger of God, peace be on him, has requested me to conclude the marriage contract between him and Umm Habibah, daughter of Abu Sufyan.” He handed over the mahr to Khalid ibn Said who said, “I have agreed to do what the Prophet, peace be upon him, has requested and acted on behalf of Umm Habibah. May God bless His Messenger and his wife. Congratulations to Umm Habibah on account of the goodness which God has ordained for her.” Khalid took the mahr and handed it to Umm Habibah. There was great rejoicing as the guests sat down to eat and celebrate the joyous occasion. This must have been a tremendous moment in her life. UmmHabibah could hardly believe her good fortune. Later she said: “When I received the money as mahr, I sent fiftymithqals of gold to Abrahah, ‘I gave youmy jewelry when you gave me the good news because I did not have any money.’ “ Shortly afterwards, Abrahah returned the gold and the necklace that Umm Habibah had given to her saying “The King instructed me not to take anything from you and commanded the women in his household to present you with gifts of perfume.’ “On the following day, Abrahah brought ambergris, safron and aloes and said; ‘I have a favor to ask. “What is it?” I have accepted Islam,” she said, ‘and I follow the religion of Muhammad. Convey to him my salutation and let him know that I believe in Allah and His Prophet. Please don’t forget.” Abrahah then joyfully helped a very happyUmmHabibah prepare for her journey to the Prophet. “When I met the Prophet (pbuh) I told him all about the arrangements for the marriage and about Abrahah. I told him she had become Muslim and sent her greetings of peace. He was filled with joy and said: ‘Wa alayha as-salamwa rahmatullahi was barakatuhu and on her be peace and the mercy and blessings of God.’” The story of Umm Habibah tells us of courage, difficult choices, alienation from family, loneliness, loss of a husband, solitude, and ten years of patiently waiting for Allah to change her plight. Was it a test of her devotion and tenacity? Are not the trials of many modern day converts similar? Are we not sometimes rejected by our non-Muslim families, friends, co-workers, and even strangers? Do we not have to be strong in our tenacity and faith? When we hold our heads high, sisters, and declare our faith by virtue of our Muslim appearance, are we not shouting to the world around us of our belief in Allah and His Messenger, the Prophet Mohammed? Inshallah, with faith, courage, and determination we too will be counted among the rows of the faithful on the final day.
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