Once upon a time, there was a kind woman with a beautiful name. Her name was Baraka, which means blessing. And what a blessing she truly was.
Baraka came from a faraway land, and she lived in the home of the Prophet Muhammad's family in Makkah, long before he was born. She was gentle and caring, and everyone in that little house loved her.
Then a wonderful day arrived. A baby boy was born, and Baraka was right there in the room. Hers were the very first hands to hold the little baby who would grow up to be the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. She said she saw a soft light shining the moment he was born.
Baraka helped care for that special little boy. But when he was only six years old, something sad happened. His mother became very sick, and she went home to Allah. Before she left, she whispered to Baraka, please, take care of him like a mother.
And Baraka did. She wrapped her love around that little boy and never, ever left him. She stayed by his side as he grew from a boy into a man. He loved her so much that he called her a beautiful name. He said, she is my mother after my mother.
Later, she had a son of her own named Ayman, and so everyone began to call her Umm Ayman (radiyallahu anha), which means the mother of Ayman.
When the Prophet ﷺ told people about Allah, Umm Ayman believed him right away. She was one of the very first people to believe, because she had known his kind heart her whole life.
One time, on a long, hot journey through the desert, Umm Ayman ran out of water. She was so thirsty. But then, she said, a bucket of cool water came down to her from the sky on a rope, and she drank until she was happy. After that day, she was never thirsty again.
Umm Ayman looked after the Prophet ﷺ like a loving mother his whole life. He visited her almost every day. One day he asked her, how are you? And she gave the sweetest answer. She said, as long as the message of Allah is safe and good, then I am good too.
She could even make the Prophet ﷺ laugh. Sometimes she said funny words by mistake, and he would smile his warm and kind smile.
Umm Ayman was there on the very first day of the Prophet's life, and she was still there, loving him, on his very last day. No one else in the whole world can say that. What a caring, faithful friend she was.
So snuggle in now, little one. Just like Umm Ayman cared for that little boy, someone cares for you, and Allah loves you very much. You are safe, and you are loved. Goodnight.