Hind bint Abi Umayya, a prominent figure in early Islamic history, faced immense emotional turmoil when she was commanded to migrate from her homeland, Mecca, to Abyssinia. Born into a life of luxury and comfort, Hind was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and married to Abdullah ibn Abdul Asad, a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Her life of affluence and the deep love she shared with her husband made the prospect of leaving her homeland incredibly painful.
Despite the immense difficulty, Hind and her husband, along with a small group of Muslims, embarked on the journey to Abyssinia in the fifth year of the Prophet's mission, corresponding to 615 CE. The journey was fraught with danger, as the Quraysh tribe sought to prevent the Muslims from leaving. The migrants had to travel covertly, with some riding and others walking, to avoid detection.
Upon reaching the port of Shuaib, they found two merchant ships ready to sail for Abyssinia. They boarded the ships, paying half a dinar each for passage. The Quraysh, upon discovering their escape, sent a cavalry to pursue them, but the ships had already set sail, ensuring the migrants' safety. They arrived in the port of Massawa and eventually reached the capital, Aksum, where they began their life in exile.
In Aksum, Hind found solace and formed close bonds with other Muslim women, including the Prophet's daughter, Ruqayyah. She also experienced the joy of motherhood when she gave birth to a son named Salama, earning her the title Umm Salama. Despite the hardships of migration, Hind's faith and resilience shone through, making her an enduring figure in Islamic history.
