Her name was Sahla or Rumayla. She was known as Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha. Her nicknames were Rumaysa and Ghumaisa. She was from the Banu Najjar tribe. Her father was Milhan ibn Khalid and her mother was Mulaikah bint Maalik. Her sister was Umm Haraam radhiallahu anha who died on a naval expedition and is buried on Cyprus. Their grandmother was Salamah, the mother of Abdul Muttalib, grandfather of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Thus Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha was known as the aunt of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam.
She was one of the first women of Madinah to accept Islam. She was initially married to Maalik ibn Nadar and had a son, the famous Anas ibn Maalik radhiallahu anhu from him. She made Anas radhiallahu anhu a Muslim while he was small. Maalik refused to accept Islam and died. Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha then married Abu Talha radhiallahu anhu on condition that he became a Muslim. They both pledged allegiance to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam at Aqabah. Abu Talha radhiallahu anhu died on a naval expedition in the time of Uthman radhiallahu anhu.
One of their sons, Umayr died in infancy. She sent the other, Abdullah radhiallahu anhu when he was born, to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam who chewed and placed a piece of date in his mouth. Abdullah radhiallahu anhu had 7 children all of whom memorised the Qur’aan. Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha gave her son Anas radhiallahu anhu in the service of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam.
She took part in the Battle of Uhud tending the wounded and defending the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to visit her home, pray there and sometimes have siesta. As he slept, Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha would collect his perspiration for blessings.
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam heard her in Paradise when he visited there. Many Hadith are quoted by her and people used to ask her clarification on Islamic laws. She passed away in the early years of the pious Khalifas.
