By
Sadaf Azhar – Hiba magazine Sub-Editor
Life in Makkah:
Laila bint Abdullah al Adawiyyah was her real name and she was nicknamed Al Shifa (the Healer) (rta). She was a noblewoman of Quraish, who belonged to the Banu Adii clan, the same clan as Omar’s ( rta).
She was amongst the tiny minority of Makkan women who were literate. She could not only read but she was also a calligrapher. In addition, she was a respected healer. Al Shifa was one of the early reverts and accepted Islam within the first 3 years of Prophet hood.
Al Shifa taught the wife of the Prophet’s (sa), Hafsah bint Omar (rta), to read and write.
The Prophet (sa) once entered upon her and Hafsa (rta). He asked Al Shifa: ‘Will you not teach Hafsah how to heal ant bites the same way you taught her to read and write?’ She would use Ruqyah from the Quran for healing too.
Life in Madinah:
She migrated to Madinah with the Prophet (sa). She set up her house between the Masjid and the market in Madinah. In Makkah, she had been known for her learning and healing. In Madinah, she was prominently situated so that the Prophet (sa) and other eminent Muslims would visit her and seek her advice.
She had a son, Sulayman (rta), who was known for his nightly recitation of the Quran. His sons, Abu Bakr and Uthman, became narrators of Hadith, quoting their grandmother. Her narrations are found in the collections of Bukhari, Abu Dawood and An Nasaii.
Shifa’s expertise in Finance and Trade
Shifa (rta) was not only a respected and wise healer, but she was well versed in finance and trade as well. The Prophet (sa) trusted her and sought her advice especially in matters of markets and finance. This is an example of how the Prophet (saw) was quick to recognize and capitalize on the strengths of his Companions regardless of gender.
Omar (rta) formally appointed her as being in charge of the marketplace. She understood the Fiqh of finance and marketplace well. Like the Prophet (sa), Omar (rta) would visit her too.
Her services for Islam
Since Hafsah (rta) was the one entrusted to keep the compiled copy of the Quran, Shifa (rta) had a hand in the honour and perpetual reward of helping to compile the Quran too since she had taught Hafsah (rta) to read and write.
Al Shifa has also narrated the famous Hadith about the letter that the Prophet (sa) sent to the Persian emperor, Khusraw.
She narrated that the Prophet (sa) was once asked: “What are the best of actions?” He replied: “Belief in Allah (swt) (Imaan), striving for Allah (swt) (Jihad) and an accepted Hajj.”
She also narrated the traits of Omar (rta). Al Shifa once saw a group of men walking very slowly and asked what was wrong with them. She was told that these were people who had been praying all night. In response, she observed that when Omar (rta) used to talk, he made sure everyone could hear him clearly (i.e he spoke loudly), when he walked, he walked fast, when he fed, he fed generously and when he hit, he hit hard. She meant to imply that he was a Caliph with great responsibilities and a devout worshipper and yet he exuded confidence and strength. This was what Muslim men needed to emulate.
Her most famous narration is about how Omar (rta) was given the title of Ameer ul Momineen (Commander of the Believers).
When Abu Bakr became the Caliph, he was referred to as the ‘Khalifat ur Rasool Allah (sa)’ (the Successor of the Prophet (sa)) but you couldn’t keep adding to this title.
Imam az Zuhri narrates that Omar (rta) once asked Abu Bakr bin Sulayman (the grandson of Shifa rta): “Who was the first person to refer to Caliph Omar (rta) with this honorable title?” Abu Bakr bin Sulayman narrated from his grandmother, Shifa, that once Omar (rta) wrote a letter to the governor of Iraq and asked him to send 2 of the best men whom he could question about Iraq and its people. The chosen men were Labidd ibn Rabia and Addi ibn Haatim (rta). They wanted to enter the Masjid and asked Amr bin Al Aas (rta) if the Commander of the Believers would grant them permission to visit him.
Amr bin Al Aas swore that they had been granted success by Allah (swt) because indeed Omar (rta) is the Commander and we are the Believers. He then went to Omar (rta) and greeted him using this title. Omar (rta) startled, asked him why he was addressing him thus, so Amr bin al Aas explained that this is how Labid and Adii befittingly addressed Omar (rta). From then onwards, this became the title for the Caliph.
Al Shifa’s hospitality towards the Prophet (sa)
Since her house was prominently situated, the Prophet (sa) would visit her frequently.
She always anticipated his visits and would keep a particular blanket for his use only and prepare other amenities to make him feel welcome. The Prophet (sa) is even reported to nap at her home. This demonstrates Al Shifa’s love and respect for the Prophet (sa) of Allah.
Once he asked why her son, Sulaiyman, wasn’t present for the Fajr prayer congregation. She explained that he had been praying all night and fell asleep right before Fajr and missed the congregation. Omar (rta) then said that for himself to pray Fajr with the congregation was more beloved than praying the entire night because the Prophet (sa) said that whoever has prayed Isha in congregation, it is as if he has prayed the entire first half of the night, and whoever has prayed Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed the entire second half of the night.
Al Shifa died during Omar’s (rta) Caliphate and her funeral prayers were led by Omar (rta) himself. What a blessed lady and an honourable believer she was. A true role model for the Muslim women for all times to come indeed.
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