The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 148
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 148 Kulthūm. From her mother’s side, she was also the sister of Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān bin ‘Affān. Exhibiting commendable courage, Ummi Kulthūm reached Madīnah by foot, 1 and presenting herself before the Holy Prophet sa expressed her acceptance of Islām. However, two of her close relatives also followed behind to capture her and demanded her return. These people claimed that although the word ‘man’ has been used in the treaty, in actuality, the agreement was general and effected both men and women equally. However, in addition to the words of the treaty, Ummi Kulthūm contended for an exception in the case of women because a woman belongs to a weaker gender. Moreover, in comparison to men, she holds a subordinate position to men, so for this reason to return her, would be equivalent to tossing her into the mouth of spiritual death and thus depriving her of Islām. 2 Therefore, to consider women exempt from this stipulated agreement was not only in complete accordance with this agreement, but logically speaking, it was closer to justice and necessary. For this reason, naturally and equitably, the Holy Prophet sa gave a verdict in favour of Ummi Kulthūm and sent her relatives back. Furthermore, God the Exalted also supported this decision. Consequently, during these days, the Qur’ānic verse was revealed that, “When believing women come to you as refugees, examine them, and if they prove to be virtuous and sincere, send them not back to the disbelievers but if they are married women, return to their disbelieving husbands their dowries. ” 3 Thereafter, whenever a woman would leave Makkah and arrive in Madīnah, she would be thoroughly examined and her intention and sincerity would be thoroughly assessed. Then, as for those women who proved to be well intentioned and sincere and there was no materialistic or personal purpose behind their migration, they would be kept in Madīnah. However, as for those women who were married, their dowries were paid to their husbands and after that they were free to marry amongst 1 * Usdul-Ghābah Fī Ma‘rifatiṣ-Ṣaḥābah, By ‘Izzuddīn Ibnul-Athīr Abul-Ḥasan ‘Alī bin Muḥammad, Volume 6, pp. 401-402, Ummu Kulthūmin bintu ‘Uqbah, Dārul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon (2003) * As-Sīratul-Ḥalabiyyah, By Abul-Faraj Nūruddīn ‘Alī bin Ibrāhīm, Volume 3, pp. 37-38, Bābu Dhikri Maghāzīhī sa /Ghazwatul-Ḥudaibiyyah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon (2002) 2 As-Sīratul-Ḥalabiyyah, By Abul-Faraj Nūruddīn ‘Alī bin Ibrāhīm, Volume 3, p. 38, Bābu Dhikri Maghāzīhī sa /Ghazwatul-Ḥudaibiyyah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon (2002) 3 * Al-Mumtaḥinah (60:11) * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Tafsīru Sūratil-Mumtaḥinah, Bābu Idhā Jā’akumul-Mu’minātu Muhaājiratin, Ḥadīth No. 4833