At the time when Ummu Sulaym accepted Islam, she was married to Malik bin Nadir. Anas bin Malik was born from this marriage. When Ummu Sulaym learned about the arrival of Muhammad, the Rasul of Allah (saw) she immediately went to him alone and accepted Islam at his hands. Later, Anas bin Malik learned that his mother had become a Muslim, and he expressed his disappointment and criticism:

“So, you have left your religion? You have gone astray now?”

His mother tried to explain the situation to him:

“No, my son, I have not left my religion, nor have I gone astray. But I have believed that the person who has come to our land is indeed the Rasul of Allah.”

At that time, Anas was about ten years old, and his mother’s words had an impact on him. Ummu Sulaym insisted:

“Come on, say it, ‘There is no god, only Allah, and Muhammad is His Rasul.’”

Anas complied with his mother’s request:

“There is no god, only Allah, and Muhammad is His Rasul.”

Just then, his father, Malik, entered the room and overheard their conversation. He wanted to warn his son not to believe his mother and not to follow her words. Later, he left the house. However, on the way, he encountered an enemy, and as a result of an argument between them, he was killed with a spear.

After Malik’s death, Ummu Sulaym and her son Anas bin Malik were left on their own. Ummu Sulaym was sought in marriage by Abu Talha, a polytheist from Medina, but she declined to marry him due to their different beliefs, despite his advances.

Ummu Sulaym addressed Abu Talha as follows:

“You, who are occupied with worshiping a stone that neither benefits nor harms, how can I marry you? Think about it, you are spending your life worshiping a piece of wood or stone carved by a carpenter or sculptor!”

Abu Talha couldn’t provide a response and left Ummu Sulaym. After some time, he proposed to her a second time, but the answer was the same. However, his heart was now inclined more towards Islam.

Finally, after some more time had passed, he made a third proposal. Ummu Sulaym spoke even more firmly and gave him a clear answer:

“Oh, Abu Talha, is the idol you worship made by the slave of such and such sons?”

“Yes.”

“Then, aren’t you ashamed to worship a piece of wood or stone that grows from the ground and is made by the slave of such and such sons? If you accept faith, declare your belief in Allah, confess your faith in the Rasul, and if I come to you on these conditions, what do you say? This way, you will have embraced faith, and we can be together.”

Upon hearing this proposal, Abu Talha hesitated for a moment and said, “Give me some time to think.”

After a short period, he returned to Ummu Sulaym’s house and declared his decision, saying, “I believe in Allah and accept that Muhammad is His Rasul. On these terms, I request your hand in marriage.”

Ummu Sulaym’s wish was granted, and they were married. During this time, Ummu Sulaym took her 10-year-old son, Anas (ra), by the hand and brought him to the presence of our Master (saw). She said, “O Rasul of Allah, the women and men of the Ansar have come to you with greetings and brought gifts, but my circumstances do not allow me to bring any gifts. Therefore, I present my son to you, and I leave him to serve you in any way you desire. He is yours, and he shall serve you as you wish.”

After the passing of the Rasul (saw), Anas (ra) made the following statement, which is considered significant by scholars of Islamic spirituality, as it points to a profound truth:

“There is no one among the Ansar who gave the Rasul a gift and sought his pleasure and intercession in return, except for my mother, Ummu Sulaym. She presented me to the Rasul of Allah, seeking his pleasure and intercession. Consequently, the Rasul prayed for us.”

This narration highlights the great act of devotion and faith of Ummu Sulaym and her family’s special connection to our Master (saw).

Anas (ra) describes the years he spent in the company of the Rasul as follows:

“I swear by Allah, I served Muhammad (saw) in various expeditions and during times of ease for about ten years. Not once did he say to me, ‘Why did you do this?’ for something I did, nor did he ask, ‘Why did you not do this?’ for something I did not do. He never questioned any of my actions or decisions.”

Anas’s words reflect how our Master (saw) perceived people in reality, and his remarkable tolerance, patience, and understanding.

In addition, I’d like to share a relevant couplet by İbrahim Hakkı Erzurumi (may Allah sanctify his secret):

“Do not say, ‘Why is it like this?’ It is so for a reason. Look to the end, have patience! Let’s see what Allah does, Whatever He does is beautiful!”

Indeed, Ummu Sulaym held great significance among the early converts to Islam. Another significant incident in her life serves as a valuable lesson and example for all Muslim women and brothers.

Ummu Sulaym (ra) had a son named Abu Umayr who was ill. One day, while her husband Abu Talha was not at home, their son passed away. To prevent her husband from being suddenly saddened by the news due to his weak faith at the time, Ummu Sulaym washed and perfumed the body of their son, then laid him aside with a cloth covering, making it appear as if he was simply sleeping.

When evening came, Abu Talha returned home and inquired, “How is the child?” Ummu Sulaym replied, “The child’s suffering has ended. I believe he is now at ease.”

She then prepared dinner for her husband, ensuring he ate and was satisfied. She adorned herself in a way she had never done before, appeared joyful, and they slept together.

As morning approached, Ummu Sulaym addressed her husband, saying, “O Abu Talha, have you seen what our neighbors did to certain people?” Surprised, Abu Talha asked, “What did they do?”

She replied, “Those people were entrusted with something by others, but they didn’t want to return the trust.”

Astounded, Abu Talha exclaimed, “Is it possible to sleep on top of a trust? How wrong they were!”

Upon this, Ummu Sulaym explained the situation to Abu Talha, saying, “O Abu Talha, your son Ubayr was a trust given to us by Allah, and now He has taken him back. Do not oppose Allah.”

Abu Talha was furious at his wife’s composure and shouted, “If that’s the case, why did you put me through all of this?”

He then got up, performed ablution, and went to the mosque to pray the morning prayer. After praying, he went to the Rasul of Allah (saw) and informed him of the situation.

Upon hearing what happened, the Rasul said, “May Allah bless your night.”

Ummu Sulaym later learned that she had become pregnant that very night and gave birth to a child whom they named Abdullah, by the blessing of the Rasul’s supplication. With the barakah (blessing) of this prayer, they had seven children, all of whom became reciters and memorizers of the Quran.