Sayyidatuna Arwa Bint Abd al-Muṭṭalib رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا

Pious Women

Sayyidatunā Arwā b. ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا 

Wasim Akram Attari Madani

Sayyidatunā Arwā رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا was the daughter of the Prophet’s grandfather, Sayyidunā ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ , the sister of the Prophet’s father, Sayyidunā ʿAbd Allah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ , and the Prophet’s paternal aunt. She is a distinguished, esteemed Companion who excelled in poetry before and after the advent of Islam.^[1]

Mother’s name: Fāṭima b. ʿAmr.^[2]

Married life: Before Islam, she married ʿUmayr b. Wahb. Through this marriage, she was blessed with a son, Sayyidunā Ṭulayb رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ , who was an early Companion and a participant in the Expedition of Badr. Her second marriage was to Ar ṭāt b. Shuraḥbīl, with whom she had a daughter named Fāṭima.^[3]

Altruism: When Sayyidunā Ṭulayb رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ told his mother he had accepted Islam, she expressed her happiness with these words, “Indeed, the son of your uncle is the most deserving of your help. By Allah! If we were able to do what the men can do, we would also defend the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and prevent enemies from attacking him.”^[4]

Her Islam: From the paternal aunts of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , Sayyidatunā Ṣafiyya and Sayyidatunā Arwā رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا accepted Islam.^[5]  Ibn Saʿd said, “She became a Muslim in Makka and migrated to Madina too.”^[6] After Sayyidunā Ṭulayb رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ accepted Islam, he went to his mother Sayyidatunā Arwā bint Abdul Muttalib رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا and said, “Mother! I have accepted Islam and followed the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم . But what is preventing you from accepting Islam and following the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ? Even your brother Hamza رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ has accepted Islam!” She replied, “I am waiting for my sisters to decide, and I will follow them.” Sayyidunā Ṭulayb رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ requested, “I ask you, for the sake of Allah, go to the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , greet him with salaam and testify there is no one worthy of worship except Allah.” This heartfelt plea struck her. So, she announced the testimony of faith and became a Muslim.^[7]

After accepting Islam, she supported the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم through her writings and urged her son to loyally obey and support him too.^[8]

Death: She passed away during Sayyidunā Umar’s رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ caliphate.^[9]

May Allah Almighty have mercy on her and forgive us without accountability for her sake.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم