Umm al-Muminin Maymuna bint al-Harith
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Umm al-Mu'minin Maymuna bint al-Harith (Arabic: أم المؤمنين ميمونة بنت الحارث) is a concise biographical monograph by Khalid al-Hamudi tracing the life of Maymuna bint al-Harith, the last wife of the Prophet Muhammad, from her upbringing in Mecca to her marriage, life in the prophetic household, and death .
Background and Early Life
The work begins by establishing Maymuna's lineage as the daughter of al-Harith ibn Hazn ibn Hilal, a nobleman of Quraysh, and Hind bint 'Awf, a prominent Meccan woman . The author notes her familial connections, being the maternal aunt of Khalid ibn al-Walid and sister to Lubaba the Elder (Umm al-Fadl, wife of al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib), Asma' (wife of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib), and Lubaba the Younger (mother of Khalid ibn al-Walid), highlighting the deep marital ties between the Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib and her sisters .
Born in Mecca six years prior to the advent of Islam, Maymuna grew up during the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyya) . Upon coming of age, she married Abu Ruhm ibn 'Abd al-'Uzza . While living in his house, she regularly visited her sister Umm al-Fadl, learning about the teachings of Islam, the emigrants, and the military engagements at Badr and Uhud . Following the Muslim victory at the Battle of Khaybar, she openly showed her delight upon returning home, prompting an argument with Abu Ruhm that ended in divorce . She subsequently moved into the residence of al-'Abbas and Umm al-Fadl .
Marriage to the Prophet
The book outlines the historical context leading to Maymuna's marriage, including the Treaty of Hudaybiyya and the subsequent Compensatory Pilgrimage (Umrat al-Qada) . During the Muslims' arrival in Mecca, Maymuna witnessed the entry of the Prophet and his companions, where Abdullah ibn Rawaha chanted poetry before the Prophet . Maymuna subsequently asked al-'Abbas to propose her in marriage to the Prophet .
The Prophet accepted the proposal, acknowledging the faith of Maymuna and her sisters, and settled a dower (mahr) of four hundred dirhams . When the three-day period permitted under the Treaty of Hudaybiyya expired, the Quraysh leaders refused the Prophet's offer to hold a wedding banquet in Mecca and demanded that the Muslims depart . Complying with the agreement, the Prophet did not consummate the marriage inside Mecca, but did so at Saraf, an area roughly ten miles outside the city, inside a dome-tent .
Prophetic Household and Passing
Following her arrival in Medina, Maymuna resided as one of the Mothers of the Believers . The Prophet placed her sister Salma—the widow of Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib—in her chamber, and Maymuna consoled the Prophet upon the death of his eldest daughter, Zaynab bint Muhammad, in that same year .
Maymuna survived the Prophet by approximately fifty years . In the year of her death, she performed the Hajj pilgrimage and fell ill shortly after completing the rites . While being transported in a litter toward Medina accompanied by her nephew Abdullah ibn Abbas, her condition deteriorated as the party reached Saraf . She died there within a few hours and was prepared and buried at Saraf by Ibn 'Abbas .
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