Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalaam-u-Alaikum, brother, i was wondering what my name, Shyemaa` meeams? i know that it was the Prophet (Salla Allah hu `alayhi wa sallam)`s foster sister`s laqab, but i dont know what it means. Jazak Allah Khairan. Wassalaam, Your sis fi Islaam

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

What does Shayma mean?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

There are two meanings for Shyemaa in the Arabic language. One is for ‘nature’, and the other is for a sign or a mark.

Shyemaa was indeed the name of the foster-sister of the Last Messenger of Allah (saws).

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan