CHAPTER 6: THE HADITH ABOUT UMM ZAR (2)
Good Reputation, Respect, and Kindness
The eighth woman’s husband is very kind to her. At the same time, he is strong and assertive with other people. The Prophet (pbuh) continued his story:
‘The eighth woman said, “As for my husband, his touch is like that of a rabbit, and his odor is like that of zarnab (aromatic plant). I overcome him, but he overcomes the other people.”’
With his wife, he has the soft and kind touch of a rabbit, and he has a most pleasant odor.
With other people, he has a good reputation (another meaning for the good odor), and his kindness and good attitude with his wife do not prevent him from being powerful and victorious with the other people.
Wealth, Courage, Generosity, and Stature
The ninth woman’s husband is of a noble and wealthy family. He is a strong warrior and a generous host. The Prophet (pbuh) continued his story:
‘The ninth woman said, “As for my husband, he has high house-pillars, long sword-suspenders, and large amounts of ashes. His house is near the clubhouse .”’
The high house-pillars are an indication of his noble descent and wealth. The long sword-suspenders indicate that he is of large and impressive build and he is a strong fighter. The ashes are an indication of his generosity and the many guests he feeds. Being in the vicinity of the clubhouse indicates that he is near the town-center where important people usually live and meet.
Wealth’ Generosity, And Other Distinguished Qualities
The tenth woman’s husband has many excellent qualities that are beyond description. The Prophet (pbuh) continued his story:
‘The tenth woman said, “My husband is Malik (the owner). And what would you know about Malik? Malik is better than that (which I describe). He owns camels that are numerous in their sitting places, and few in the grazing areas. When they hear the sound of the lute, they become certain of their death.”’
This means that she is never able to give her husband the praise that he truly deserves. His camels, numerous though they are, are not allowed to graze far away from his residence, because he wants thee ever-ready for his guests. He often holds banquets in which he entertains his guests with the lute and feeds them camel-meat.
Umm Zar’ and Her Two Husbands
The last woman to speak was Umm Zar. She gave a fuller description of her two husbands: Abu Zar and the man who she married after Abu Zar divorced her. Both of her husbands were good to her, but she was happier with the first, and gave a more detailed description of him and his family members.
Abu Zar’s Kindness, Wealth, and Generosity
Abu Zar took Umm Zar from a life of poverty and hard work to a life of wealth and leisure. The Prophet (pbuh) continued his story:
‘The eleventh said, “My husband was Abu Zar (i.e the one with vegetation) – and what would you know about Abu Zar’! He made my ears heavy with jewelry, filled my upper arms with flesh (i.e., fed me well after my previous state of hunger), and honored
me until my soul was gratified. He took me from among a people with very few sheep and tight living and placed me among people who had horses, camels, cows (that step on the grains to peel them), and sieves (for sifting the grains). In his house I spoke without being rebuffed, slept until late morning, and drank my fill.”’
Abu Zar’s Mother
Abu Zar’s mother was a wealthy woman with ample provisions and many servants. This carries an additional praise for her son, because he made sure that his mother’s needs were well met, and her living was no less than his. The Prophet (pbuh) continued relating what Umm Zar said:
‘(She continued,) “Abu Zar’s mother – and what would you know about Abu Zar,s mother! Her safes (of food and clothing) were plentiful and her house was spacious.”’
Abu Zar’s Son
Despite his father’s wealth, Abu Zar’s son was not a spoiled young man. To the contrary, he was lean, content, ate moderately and was ever alert, even while sleeping. The Prophet (pbuh) continued relating what Umm Zar’ said:
‘(She continued,) “Abu Zar’s son — and what would you know about Abu Zar’s son! His sleep was (sharp) like a pointed palm stick (i.e., everalert), and a female goat’s arm satisfied his hunger (i.e., neither was he fat nor greedy).”’
Abu Zar ’s Daughter
Abu Zar’s daughter was a perfect young woman, obedient to both her parents, beautiful, and attractive. This graced her family, and brought envy to her co-wife. The Prophet (pbuh) continued relating what Umm Zar said:
‘(She continued,) “Abu Zar’s daughter — and what would you know about Abu Zar’s daughter! She was obedient to her father and obedient to her mother. She filled her garments (i.e., her body was full). She caused her upper garment to curve (her body was well-proportioned). She was the grace of her family, and the cause of envy to her co-wife. “‘
Abu Zar’s Maid
Even the maid played a role in painting an impressive picture of dignity and praise for Abu Zar’! She was trustworthy, protective, and clean. The Prophet (pbuh) continued relating what Umm Zar said:
‘(She continued,) “Abu Zar ’s maid — and what would you know about Abu Zar’s maid! She did not disclose our secrets, nor give away our food (i.e., she was trustworthy), nor let our house fill with dirt like a bird’s nest (i.e., she was clean).”’
The Unfortunate Occurrence
After spending many years with her, Abu Zar decided one day to give up his wife Umm Zar for a younger woman who had two young boys. The Prophet (pbuh) continued relating what Umm Zar said:
‘(She continued,) “Abu Zar went on a trip at the time when the milk jars were shaken to extract the cream (i.e., in the spring when there was plenty of milk). He met a woman with two little sons, as (active as) two leopard cubs. They were (jumping) under her waist and playing with two pomegranates (i.e., she was young and had small breasts). He divorced me and married her.”’
The Second Husband
Umm Zar’s second husband was also wealthy and very good to her. But her heart remained with her first husband. The Prophet(pbuh) continued relating what Umm Zar’ said:
‘(She continuedI.) “I married after him a noble man. He rode a fast horse and grasped a spear (he was a fighter). He brought to me in the evenings (after his battles) expensive cattle, and granted me a pair from every kind of it. He said to me, ‘Eat, O Umm Zar’ and give it to your relatives as well.’ Yet, were I to gather all the things that he gave me, they would not fill the smallest of Abu Zar’s containers.”’
Conclusion
Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) concluded by again telling ‘A’ishah that he was to her like Abu Zar’ was to Umm Zar.
‘O A’ishah! I am to you like Abu Zar was to Umm Zar’ – except that Abu Zar’ divorced (her), and I will not divorce(you)’. (Recorded by al-Bukhari, Muslim and others.)
This means that he was bountiful towards her like Abu Zar was towards Umm Zar. However the Prophet’s (pbuh) favors on ‘A’ishah (or any other Muslim) are beyond measure, and they extend to the good and eternal bliss of the Hereafter. This is why A’ishah responded:
“O Allah’s Messenger! You are better to me than Abu Zar was to Umm Zar.” (Recorded by at-Tabarani.)
By Muhammad Mustafa al-Jibaly
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