ĀMINAH (آمنة): Muḥammad’s Mother
Comprehensive Definition
Āminah (آمنة): She is recognized as the mother of the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him), the founder of Islam. Āminah bint Wahb carried the noble responsibility of nurturing the future Prophet who would later unite the Arabian Peninsula under the banner of Islam.
Etymology
Name Origin: The name “Āminah” comes from the Arabic root (أمِنَ) meaning ’to be safe’ or ’to feel secure’. Her name can be interpreted as ‘the one who is safe’ or ‘a vessel of safety,’ reflecting both physical safety and spiritual tranquility.
Background & Early Life
Family Lineage: Āminah was the daughter of Wahb ibn ʿAbdi Manāf of the Zuhra clan, a part of the Quraysh tribe. Her marriage to Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib sealed her position within the most respected family in Makkah.
Marriage: As the wife of ʿAbdullah and mother to the final Prophet of Islam, Āminah was known for her modesty, piety, and gentle nature. Her life, though short, laid the foundation for the path Muḥammad would later walk.
Cultural Differences & Similarities
In many Islamic cultures, mothers hold a place of profound respect and honor, akin to titles like “Most Revered Mother” in Christian tradition. Through multiple cultural lenses, Āminah is depicted with immense reverence for her role in nurturing and caring for young Muḥammad in her time, comparable to saint-like figures in various world traditions.
Synonyms
- Muḥammad’s Mother
- Åminah bint Wahb
Antonyms
- None applicable in the contextual meaning of historical figures.
Related Terms
- ʿAbdu ʾllāh (عبد الله): Āminah’s husband and the father of Muḥammad.
- Muḥammad (محمد): Āminah’s son, the Prophet.
Exciting Facts
- Vision of a Great Destiny: It is said that during her pregnancy, she witnessed a light emerging from her that illuminated the palaces of Syria, a sign indicating the birth of a great leader.
- Final Resting Place: Āminah passed away at al-Abwa’, a place between Makkah and Madinah, while returning from a visit to her family in Yathrib (Madinah).
Quotations
Ibn Hisham: “Āminah saw in her dream a light coming out from her body, lighting the palaces of Basra…” (Prophetic biography, Sirat Ibn Hisham)
References & Suggested Literature
- “The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq: A primary source for the early history of Islam.
- “In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad” by Tariq Ramadan: Chronicles Muḥammad’s life while sprinkling in personal reflections.
- “Mothers of Islam: The Prophet’s Household” by Emma Clark: Discusses the lives and contributions of women in the Prophet’s life.
Parting Thought
Reflections on the life of Āminah inspire profound gratitude and respect for the nurturing figures in our own lives. Through her, we see the eternal worth of love and care that motherly figures bestow upon us.
- Zaynab Al-Harthi, 2023
