It was narrated that Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: "The son of Abu Talha who was born of Umm Sulaim, may Allaah be pleased with them, died. She (Umm Sulaim) said to the members of her family: Do not narrate to Abu Talha about his son until I narrate it to him. Abu Talha, may Allaah be pleased with him, came (home); she presented to him the supper. He took it and drank water. She then embellished herself which she did not do before. He (Abu Talha) had a sexual intercourse with her and when she saw that he was satisfied after sexual intercourse with her, she said: Abu Talha, if some people borrow something from another family and then (the members of the family) ask for its return, would they resist its return? He said: No. She said: I inform you about the death of your son. He was annoyed, and said: You did not inform me until I had a sexual intercourse with you and you later on gave me information about my son. He went to the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, and informed him what had happened. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: May Allaah bless both of you in the night spent by you! He (the narrator) said: She became pregnant. The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, was in the course of a journey and she was along with him and when the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, came back to Medina from the journey he did not enter (his house) (during the night). When the people came near Medina, she felt the pangs of delivery. He (Abu Talha) remained with her and the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, proceeded on. Abu Talha said: O Lord, you know that I love to go along with the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, when he goes out and enter along with him when he enters and I have been detained as You see. Umm Sulaim said: Abu Talha, I do not feel (so much pain) as I was feeling formerly, so better proceed on. So we proceeded on and she felt the pangs of delivery as they reached (Medina) and a child was born and my mother said to me: Anas, none should suckle him until you go to the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, tomorrow morning. And when it was morning, I carried him (the child) and went along with him to the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him. He said: I saw that he had in his hand the instrument for the cauterisation of the camels. When he saw me. he said: This is, perhaps, what Umm Sulaim has given birth to. I said: Yes. He laid down that instrument on the ground. I brought that child to him and placed it in his lap and the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, asked Ajwa dates of Medina to be brought and softened them in his month. When these had become palatable he placed them in the mouth of that child. The child began to taste them. Then the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: See what love the Ansar have for dates. He then wiped his face and named him ‘Abdullah (1).

Amongst the lessons drawn from the above-mentioned Hadeeth (2) :

1- This Hadeeth shows the permissibility of the cauterization of the camels. Scholars said: It is permissible to cauterize animals in their ears while camels and cows should be cauterized in their thighs as it was stated in the narration reported by Ahmad and Ibn Maajah.

2- Scholars have said cauterization of humans is something prohibited. Also, doing it for other than humans in face is prohibited.

3- The cauterization of the camels benefits in distinguishing animal from others and thus the one who takes or picks it up can bring it back. Also, this will enable its owner to know it and thus does not buy it if he gave it in charity so that he may not take back his charity.

4- This Hadeeth indicates that it is permissible to harm animal if there is a need for that.

5- The ruler should pay much attention to the money of charity and handle it by himself.

6- The great example of the humbleness of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, and doing the cauterization of the camels with his own hand.

7- It is recommended to do Tahneek (3) for the baby and to do it with dates. They used to send their new born babies to the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, to do Tahneek for them for getting the blessing of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, as it was narrated in the Hadeeth. Also, it was narrated on the authority of Abu Moosa Al-Ash‘ari, may Allaah be pleased with him, who said:  “I had a baby boy, and I brought him to the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, He named him Ibraaheem, did Tahneek with some dates." [Reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] according to the narration reported by Al-Bukhaari, there is an addition: "…and prayed for Allaah to bless him, then he gave him back to me.”

8- Islam cares greatly about children and honoring them since the time of their birth.

9- It is recommended to name the child on the first day and give him a good name.

10-        Prescription of seeking the blessings from the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, in his life such as his saliva and whatever touches his skin; however, this is something special for the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, and no one else, because no one did that with the prominent figures among the companions, may Allaah be pleased with them.

11-        When Umm Sulaim gave the example of the borrowed matter for the child, this actually refers to her great knowledge, virtues, faith, conviction, and submission to Al-Qadaa' and Al-Qadar (i.e. the Decree and Preordainment of Allaah The Almighty), may Allaah be pleased with her.

12-        Allaah The Almighty has responded to the supplications of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, where Umm Sulaim became pregnant with ‘Abdullaah ibn Abu Talha in that night. Also, he then had ten great scholars from his children.      

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(1)         Reported by Muslim No. (6476).

(2)         Sharh An-Nawawi ala Muslim (16/138) and Fat-h Al-Baari by Ibn Hajar (5/134).

(3)         Tahneek means putting something sweet, such as dates or honey, in the child’s mouth when he is first born.