Sayyidah Ummu Habibah’s (radiyallahu’anha) first husband

I would like to ask the name of the first husband of Sayyidah Ummu Habibah (radiyallahu ‘anha) because in some places he is mentioned as ‘Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh while in other places (in Mishkat) it is mentioned as ‘Abdullah ibn Jahsh

Answer

The correct one is ‘Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh. What appears in Mishkat has been declared a mistake by the commentators. Especially since the source that Mishkat cites for the narration in question mentions him as ‘Ubaydullah, and not ‘Abdullah.

Refer: Mirqat, Hadith: 3208, At-Ta’liqus sabih, vol.4 pg.61 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2100)

Further, the biographers of the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) have also mentioned ‘Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh to be her husband prior to her marrying Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam).

(Al-Isti’ab, vol.4 pg.304-305 & Al-Isabah, vol.4 pg.305 no.431)

Notes:

1. Misspelling like this [from ‘Ubaydullah to ‘Abdullah and vice-versa] is a common occurrence.
2. Her first husband, ‘Ubaydullah left Islam and died a Christian while they were in Abyssinia. Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) married her thereafter.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar