She is the aunt of Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, the wife of ‘Abbas radiyallahu ‘anhu, and the mother of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas radiyallahu ‘anhu. It is mentioned in the Quran that if Muslims are living among the kuffar and they are unable to render the ‘ibadah of Allah, they should leave that place and settle down in a safer area. If they do not do this, they will be committing a major sin. However, women and children who do not know the way nor do they have anyone to accompany them, or are unable to undertake the journey are excluded from this rule. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas radiyallahu ‘anhu says: “My mother was from among such persons who were unable to undertake the journey. She was a woman and I was a child.”
Lesson: Look at the beauty of her intention. In her heart, she did not wish to live among the kuffar. However, she was forced to do so. Allah therefore had mercy on her and saved her from sinning. O women! You should also make a firm intention in your heart that you will act according to the Deen. Thereafter, there will be hope of you being forgiven in those matters in which you have no alternative. The person who does not make an intention to act according to the Deen cannot save himself from sinning.
