Baraka bint Thaʿlaba (), commonly known by her kunya Umm Ayman (), was an early Muslim and one of the disciples (Sahaba) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
She was an Abyssinian slave of Muhammad's parents, Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Aminah bint Wahb. Following the death of Aminah, Baraka helped to raise Muhammad in the household of his grandfather, Abd Al-Muttalib ibn Hashim. He saw her as a motherly figure. Muhammad later freed her from slavery, but she continued to serve Muhammad and his family. She was an early convert to Islam, and was present at the important battles of Uhud and Khaybar.
Following her freedom, Muhammad also arranged her marriage, first to Ubayd ibn Zayd of the Banu Khazraj, with whom she had a son, Ayman ibn Ubayd, giving her the kunya Umm Ayman (meaning mother of Ayman). She was later married to the adopted son of Muhammad, Zayd ibn Harithah. Her son with Zayd, Usama ibn Zayd, served as a commander in the early Muslim army and led the Expedition of Usama bin Zayd into the Byzantine Empire.
Background Baraka was the daughter of Tha'laba bin Amr, an Abyssinian.Zuhri, p 177; al-Tabarani, vol. 25, p. 86 She served as a slave in the household of Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Aminah bint Wahb. She cared for Muhammad during infancy and childhood, after the death of Aminah.Ibn Sa`d, vol. 8, p. 223; Baladhuri, Vol. 1, p. 96
Muhammad's childhood Following Aminah's death in Al-Abwa, Baraka looked after Muhammad, and moved with him to the household of his grandfather in Mecca, where she served him during his childhood Ibn Qutaybah, p. 150 and afterwards,Baladhuri, vol.1, p.472 in his adulthood.Ibn Hajar, al-Ithaba, vol.8, p. 380
According to Ibn Kathir, Abd al-Muttalib, Muhammad's paternal grandfather, had told Baraka not to neglect his grandson, especially as many of the Ahl al-Kiṫâb (, People of the Book) predicted that he would be a prophet of the nation.ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, vol. 2, p. 343
Marriages and children When Muhammad married Khadija, he arranged for Baraka's freedom and marriage to a Khazrajite companion named Ubayd ibn Zayd. Through this marriage, Baraka bore a son named Ayman, and thus she was known as "Umm Ayman" ("Mother of Ayman").Ibn Sa`d, vol. 8, p. 223; Ibn Sa`d, vol. 4, p. 61 Ayman ibn Ubayd was later killed fighting in the Battle of Hunayn.mahallati, vol.2, p. 26
Muhammad's adopted son Zayd ibn Harithah later married Baraka. They had a son named Usama who appointed as an army leader by Muhammad and led the successful Expedition of Usama bin Zayd into the Byzantine Empire.Baladhuri, vol.1, p.96
Migration After Muhammad announced his Prophethood, Umm Ayman became one of his first followers. Later, she migrated to Medina.Baladhuri, vol. 1, p. 269
Participation in battles
Umm Ayman was present at the Battle of Uhud. She fetched water for the soldiers and helped treat the injured. She also accompanied Muhammad in the Battle of Khaybar.Al-Waqidi, Vol. 1, p. 241, 250, vol.2, p. 685; Ibn Sa`d, vol. 8, p. 225; Baladhuri, vol. 1, p.
In the battle of Uhud, many men ran away toward Medina after rumor of the death of Muhammad. Umm Ayman sprinkled dust on the face of some fugitives, gave them a spindle and told them: "give me your sword and [you] spin spindle." Then she went toward the battlefield along with several women.Bahr al-Ulum, Muhammad Ali, translate by Muhammad Ali Amini,(1979), Woman of early Islam, Hekmat Subsequently, she was injured by an arrow which Hebban bin Araqa, an enemy soldier, shot at her.
Relationships with other early Muslims Muhammad was fond of Umm Ayman, even thinking of her as like a mother.Ibn Sa`d, vol. 8, p. 223 Several hadiths describe Muhammad's esteem for her.Ibn Sa`d, vol. 8, p. 223-226; Al-Dhahabi, vol. 2, p. 224 He visited Umm Ayman at her house, and after him, Caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar did the same.Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, vol. 2, p. 1907; Ibn Majah, vol. 2, p. 523-524; ibn Abd al-Birr, vol. 4, p. 1794 In some hadith sources there is a heaven about the virtues of Umm Ayman.Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, vol. 2, p. 1907-1908 She is also praised in Shi'ite sources.Al-Kulayni, vol. 2, p. 405; Ibn Babawayh, p. 76
A few hadith have been narrated from her.Ahmad ibn Hanbal, vol. 2, p. 421; al-Tabarani, vol. 25, p. 87-91; Ibn Majah, vol. 2, p. 1107 Those such as Anas ibn Malik, Abu Yazid Madani and Hanash bin Abdullah San'any have narrated from her.Ibn Hajar, vol. 12, p. 459
Death The exact date of Umm Ayman's death is not clear. Some have suggested that she died approximately five months after Muhammad's death.al-Tabarani, vol. 25, p. 86; quoted from Zuhri But according to ibn Sa'd,Ibn Sa`d, vol. 8, p. 226 she was alive in the early days of the caliphate of Uthman.al-Tabarani, vol. 25, p. 86; Al-Dhahabi, vol.2, p. 227
See also Bilal ibn Rabah Sahabah
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