On one occasion, Sayyidatuna Asma bint ‘Umays رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا said, “I have seen in Abyssinia that they tie branches of a tree upon the funeral bier— creating a frame—and then they place a cloth over it.” Then, she asked for some date branches, tied them together, placed a cloth over it and showed Sayyidatuna Fatima  رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا . She رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا became overjoyed at this, and a smile was seen on her face. This was the final smile that was seen from her after the passing of the Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم .^[1]

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه! The world has probably never witnessed such a unique display of modesty. Despite being remaining overcome with grief after the passing of the Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , she رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا held firmly to her modesty until her final breath. The only fear that she رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا   had was concerning the possibility of a non-mahram’s gaze falling upon her shroud.

The modesty of Umm Khallaad رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا

Likewise, it is narrated about the female Companion of the Prophet, Sayyidatuna Umm Khallaad  رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا , that her son was martyred in a battle. In order to find out about his state, she went to the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم whilst covered and with a veil over her face. Someone exclaimed at this in astonishment, “Even at this moment you have a veil on your face!” She رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا replied, “I have lost my son, not my modesty.”^[2]

Dear Islamic brothers, you heard how Sayyidatuna Umm Khallaad رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا observed proper veiling despite the martyrdom of her son. Unfortunately, covering up properly is starting to be considered a burden in our society (مَعاذَ الـلّٰـه).

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد