Atheelah Bintul Haarith and Atheelah Bintu Raashid
Atheelah Bintul Haarith (Radhiyallahu Anha)
- She was from the Ansaar.
Atheelah Bintu Raashid
She was once shaking leaves off a tree for her goats. She had lifted her burqa’ from her face. A man from the Huthail tribe by the name of Hamal Bin Maalik passed by. When he saw how beautiful she was he stopped and made his camel sit down. He then tied the camel.
He came to her and desired to commit zina with her. She said: “O Hamal! Wait! You have your status, and I have my status. Send a proposal to my father; he won’t refuse you.”
But this man could not resist his lust for her. When she saw that he desired evil with her she attacked him and struck him with the stick she was carrying. He fell to the ground. She extracted an oath from him that he won’t do it again. He gave the promise.
But when she left him, he jumped up and tried to make love to her. Again, she struck him and extracted a promise from him not to interfere with her. But his nafs got the better of him and he tried to tempt her again. This time she took a rock and threw it at him. The rock hit him on the head, and he fell down wounded.
Atheelah went away with her goats.
A group of riders from Hamal’s tribe passed that way. When they saw the wounded Hamal on the ground they asked: “O Hamal! What has happened to you?”
Hamal: “My camel tripped, and I fell down.”
The Group: “Your camel is tied! And this rock by you appears to have wounded you!”
Hamal: “It is as I am saying. Carry me home.”
They took him to his home. But death had come.
His tribesmen asked him: “Who should we hold responsible for what happened to you?” Hamal replied: “No one is responsible for what happened to me besides Atheelah.”
When he died, the Huthail came to Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and said: “The blood of Hamal is on the hands of Raashid (Atheelah’s father).” Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent for him.
When he came, Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “O Raashid! The Huthail claim that the blood of Hamal is on your hands?”
During the era of Shir’k (pre-Islam) Raashid’s name was Zaalim (Oppressor; Tyrant). Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) changed his name to Raashid (the rightly guided).
Raashid: “Yaa Rasulallah! I did not kill him.”
The Huthail: “Atheelah did it.”
Raashid: “I have no knowledge of this!”
Raashid then went to Atheelah and questioned her: “The Huthail say that you killed Hamal?”
Atheelah replied: “Does a woman kill a man!? However, we cannot lie to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam”. She then went to Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and related what had happened.
Rasulullah ((Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) commended her and made Du’aa for her: “Baarakallaahu Feek – The Blessings of Allah be upon you,” and he declared that the killing of Hamal was lawful.
(Usdul Ghaabah)
Lessons
- The face of a woman is fitnah for men. A woman should, therefore, always cover her face in the presence of non-mahram males.
- Atheelah (Radhiyallahu anha) did not succumb to the temptations of Hamal. She remained resolute and did not disobey Allah Ta’ala.
- She protected her chastity with force when she saw that mere talk was not helping.
- Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) investigated the matter. Claims and counterclaims should always be investigated by the senior.
- Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made Du’aa for her courage and the preservation of her honour and Deen.