Umm Sulaym Bint Milhan



Umm Sulaym bint Milhan was one of the earliest converts to Islam in Medina (then known as Yathrib). After her first husband died, Abu Talha al-Ansari, a wealthy horseman and accomplished archer, resolved to marry her. He was also a part of the Banu Najjar, the same clan as Sulaym bint Milhan but he was a polytheist having refused to convert to Islam upon the arrival of the Muslims from Mecca. Umm Sulaym refused his offer of marriage , saying she refused to marry a polytheist but eventually he accepted Islam and they were married. In her acceptance of his proposal she became one of the very first woman to accept a suitor’s declaration of faith as mahr (bridal money) She educated him about Islam and he eventually became a devout Muslim who loved to be in the company of the Prophet. She is regarded as one of the virtuous women in Islam. She participated in the Battle of Uhud, providing water to the thirsty and attending to the injured. A number of the Prophet’s compassions related Prophetic narrations from her, including her son Anas, ibn Abbaas, Zayd Ibn Thaabit, Abu Salamah Ibn Abdur- Rahmaan. Umm Sulaym passed away in 650 CE or 28 AH.