Ramla bint Abi Sufyan (Umm Habiba)
Umm al-Mu'minin
Daughter of Abu Sufyan, she embraced Islam early and stood firm in her faith despite her powerful Umayyad family's hostility toward the Prophet.
- Born
- Born circa 594 CE in Mecca
- Died
- Died circa 665 CE (45 AH) in Medina
- Cause of death
- Natural causes
Steadfastness in Faith
Ramla, commonly known as Umm Habiba, was the daughter of Abu Sufyan, the fiercest early opponent of Islam in Mecca, and the sister of Muawiyah. Defying her powerful Umayyad family, she embraced Islam early on and migrated to Abyssinia with her first husband to escape persecution.
Marriage by Proxy
Tragically, her husband apostatized to Christianity in Abyssinia and became an alcoholic, leaving her isolated in a foreign land. Hearing of her steadfastness, the Prophet (PBUH) sent an envoy to the Negus (King) of Abyssinia, proposing marriage to her by proxy. The Negus himself hosted the marriage ceremony. This marriage also strategically softened her father's hostility toward Muslims.
Shia Perspective
Shia scholars acknowledge her strong faith and the incredible sacrifice she made by choosing Islam over her elite tribal background. However, historical texts note the complex dynamic caused by her Umayyad lineage, particularly when her brother Muawiyah later usurped the caliphate and institutionalized the cursing of Imam Ali (a.s.). She is respected for her own individual devotion to the Prophet.