2-sauda Bint Zama

SAUDA (Sawda) Bint Zam’a (May Allah be pleased with her) Name and Genealogy Her name

(Arabic: ‫)سودة بنت زمعة‬

Her genealogy is as follows : Sauda bint Zam'a bin Qais bin 'Abd Shams bin 'Abd bin Nasr bin Hal bin 'Amir bin Luwayy. Her Father name: Zam'a bin Qais bin 'Abd Shams Her mother's name was Shamus who belonged to Bani Najjar of Medina. Her genealogy is as follows: Shamus bint Qais bin Zaid bin 'Amr bin Labid bin Farash bin Amir bin Ghunaim bin 'Adi bin Najjar. Her Appearance No one among the wives of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was taller than Sauda (Allah be pleased with her). Hadrat 'A'isba (Allah be pleased with her) said : Anyone who saw her could not remain hidden from her sight.(2) It has been stated in Zarqani that her stature was tall. Her tribe: She belonged to the famous Quraish tribe 'Amir bin Luwayy. Her Marriage before married to our Prophet She was married to Sakran bin 'Amr, the cousin of her father. Her position in Islam She was said the tallest among the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) 1- She is the first woman migrated to Abyssinia in history 2- She belong to the early muslim 1

3- She is 2nd wife of our Prophet(pbuh) ,the first woman Prophet (pbuh) married after Khadijah among the umm alMomineen ( Mother of the Believers) ( it’s a Islamic term that is given as a honorific to the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s wives, the term itself is derived from the Quran:33:6)

33:6

The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. Bloodrelations among each other have closer personal ties, in the Decree of God. Than (the Brotherhood of) Believers and Muhajirs: nevertheless do ye what is just to your closest friends: such is the writing in the Decree (of God).

َ ‫لّ مِنْ ا ْلمُ ْؤ ِمنِي‬ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫ضهُمْ أَ ْولَى ِب َبعْضٍ فِي ِكتَبِ ا‬ ُ ْ‫سهِمْ َوأَزْوَجُهُ ُأ ّمهَ ُتهُمْ وَأُوْلُو الَْرْحَا ِم َبع‬ ِ ُ‫ن مِنْ َأنْف‬ َ ‫ال ّنبِيّ أَوْلَى بِا ْلمُ ْؤ ِمنِي‬ ‫ب مَسْطُورًا‬ ِ َ‫ن ذَِلكَ فِي ا ْل ِكت‬ َ ‫ن تَ ْفعَلُوا إِلَى أَوِْليَا ِئكُ ْم َمعْرُوفًا كَا‬ ْ َ‫وَا ْل ُمهَجِرِينَ ِإلّ أ‬ Conversion to Islam When she heard of this new religion, her heart was opened to it and she believed in it and believed in the messages which Prophet brought. This was not a strange for one such as Saudah, for she was a purehearted woman who loved goodness and any one who possess such traits will naturally be drawn toward the religion of Islam, because it is a religion of goodness and purity. She embraced Islam in the beginning of Apostlehood. Her husband also embraced Islam. She had, therefore, the privilege of being one of the earliest Muslims. During the first migration to Abyssinia Hadrat Sauda and her husband stayed at Mecca, but when the persecution of the polytheists became unbearable and a large number of people intended to migrate, Hadrat Sauda and her husband too decided to migrate. She came back to Mecca after staying in Abyssinia for long and her husband Sakran died after a few days of his return. Muslims' Exile to Abyssinia (615 A.C.)

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In the month of Rajab,fifth year of the Prophethood (613 A.C.) the noble Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had perforce to allow a bend of his followers (11 men and 4 women) left Makkah to migrate to Aybssinia ( Ethiopia), because he could not bear to see them cruelly tortured without being able to protect themselves. The place of refuge selected was Abyssinia, because the Prophet (SAWS) had heard of the righteousness, tolerance, and hospitality of its king, He said “if you were to leave for Abyssinia , you would find there a king in whose land no one is treated unjustly and it is a land of sincerity. You could stay there until Allah makes a way out for you from the oppression you are being subjected to here.” and a party of Muslims consisting of eleven men and four women left in secrecy, with no hope of ever being able to return to their beloved motherland. All were disheartened; for to leave their native land was, to them, the greatest calamity possible; but their faith in God kept them resolute. Among them are: 1.Uthman bin Affan + Ruqayyan ( his wife) 2.Hudhaifa bin Utabh 3.Uthman bin Mazun 4.Abdullah bin Masud 5.Abdur-Rahman bin Auf 6.Zubair bin Al-awwam 7.Musab bin Umair 8.Amir bin Rabiah 9.Suhail bin Baida 10 Sakran bin 'Amr + Sawda ( his wife) 11 Jafar Ibn Abu Talib + Assma bint Omais ( his wife)

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Most of these belonged to the well-to-do, rich, and influential families, which shows that even for such Mecca was not safe. As to the poor and the slaves, they had neither the means nor the opportunity to migrate. On leaving Mecca, the emigrants travelled as far as Jeddah on foot, whence they took ship. In the meantime, the Quraysh had learnt of this and at once sent a strong detachment to capture them and bring them back, but fortunately for the exiles the pursuers reached the port after they had sailed. These people had a peaceful life in Abyssinia. They were neither molested nor ill-treated in any way by the Christian King Negus, and the tidings of their good reception in a foreign land induced more in Mecca to migrate. The Quraysh, of course, could not tolerate this - for to them it foretold defeat - and in consequence sent a deputation to the king to demand the fugitives back. To facilitate the accomplishment of their purpose, they sent valuable presents to be given to the courtiers and those who had the ear of the king. The deputation, which was headed by 'Abdullah Ibn Rabia, in due course reached Abyssinia and, by distributing the presents lavishly, found themselves in the presence of the Negus to whom they also presented costly gifts and begged that the offenders should be handed over to them. But the king declined to do that until he had heard the case for the other side. So the next day the Muslims in Abyssinia were sent for and the Negus inquired of them what they had to say to the demand of the deputation. Then one of the Muslims, Ja'far Ibn AbuTalib, ( The prophet (pbuh) called him “The father of the Neey people”, and also “The one of Two wings.” He is cousin of the Prophet (pbuh), eldest brother of Ali ibn Abu Talib, he died during the battle of Mu’ta, the enemy struck his right hand w/ sword he took the flag w/ his left hand before it fall down, they struck also his left hand, he embraced the flag between his upper arms, he was the most generous of the people when he was alive, Abdullah ibn Omar said, “I was with Jafar in the battle of Mu’ta, we got his dead body, in which we found more than 90 injuries with sword, spears and arrow. The Prophet (pbuh) said”I saw him in paradise, having 2 wings dyed w/blood) He rose and addressed the king thus:

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"O King! We were an ignorant people given to idolatry. We used to eat corpses even of animals that died a natural death, and to do all sorts of evil and unclean things. We never made good our obligations to our relations, and we ill-treated our neighbours. The strong among us would grow fat on the blood of the weak, until at last God raised up Muhammad from among us to reform us by showing us the path of righteousness. "He is well known to us. We know him to be most noble, truthful, and righteous. He called us to the worship of God, and persuaded us to give up idolatry and stone worship. He enjoined on us to tell the truth, to have love for our kith and kin, to fulfill our promises, and to do good to others, teaching us to shun everything that is bad, and to cease from bloodshed. He forbade all other indecent things-telling lies, robbing and cheating orphans and widows, and bearing false witness. He taught us to keep the chastity of women sacred. So we believed in him, we followed him, and acted up to his teachings so far as in us lay. Thereupon these men began to torture us, thinking that thus we might be induced to give up our new faith and go back to idolatry. When their cruelties exceeded all bounds we came to seek peace and shelter in your country, where we trust we shall come to no harm." Thereupon the Negus wished to hear the Qur'an, and Ja'far recited the chapter entitled "Maryam/ Mary." After this he refused to hand over the exiles to the deputation. So far foiled in their attempts they played a mean trick and, obtaining audience of the king, told him that these Muslims held views about Jesus repugnant to the king. They had thought of this plan to prejudice the king against the Muslims. The Negus sent for them again, and this time they were genuinely afraid that the deputation would succeed in effecting their extradition; for they thought that the replies that they might have would offend the king. The Negus asked them point-blank what they thought about Jesus and these truthful people, not caring for the consequences, boldly replied that they believed Jesus to be only the Prophet of God, and not the Son of God. The Negus admired this courage of theirs and entirely refused to hand them over to the deputationists, who returned in confusion to Mecca. The King said:Go and live safely in my land, Whoever insulted and hurt you would bear the consequence of his act.”

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People from Ethiopia Pre-Islam :year of Elephant, Abrah attempt to demolish Kaba Barak umm Ayman Bilal ibn Rabah ( his master Omaiyyah ibn khalaf,a old man who toretured him, died in Syria) Prophet Mohamed is said to have admonished his followers -- "Leave the Abyssinians alone, so long as they do not take the offensive." The question arises as to why Ethiopia? The Prophet could have chosen a safe haven for his followers in any of Arabia''s other neighbours: modern-day Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Iraq or Iran. Instead he chose Ethiopia, largely, it is said, because of the righteous reputation of Ethiopia''s king, the Negus or Al-Najashi. "Go to Ethiopia, there is a king there that is just," Prophet Mohamed told his followers. His counsel proved to be wise. Iran, then known as Persia, was a pagan country and the far-flung provinces of the Byzantine Empire -- Egypt and Syria -- were teetering on the verge of rebellion. The Copts of Egypt asked the Prophet to intervene on their behalf and overthrow Byzantine rule. Ethiopia, in sharp contrast, was a free and pietistic land ruled by a magnanimous monarch. Ethiopia was also a black African kingdom. Europeans conceived it as such. For the Arabs, however, Ethiopia was a multi-racial land and hence they named it Al-Habasha, the Land of the Mixed Race People. Abyssinia, a term derived from the Arabic Al-Habasha, was a curious geographic construct. It was neither full- fledgedly black African nor was it thoroughly Arabised. It stood apart and always at the crossroads. It was an ancient Christian kingdom that had ruled huge swathes of the Arabian Peninsula. As such it had strong cultural and economic links with the people of Arabia, and especially those of AlHejaz (the region which includes Islam''s holiest cities Mecca and Medina) and Yemen. Islam''s hold on Ethiopia was never absolute. Still, Ethiopia has the third largest Muslim population in Africa after Nigeria and Egypt. The country has between 30-40 million Muslims, although estimates

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vary considerably. Still there is a sizable Muslim community in Ethiopia, more numerous than the entire population of countries like Iraq, Algeria or Morocco. It is also a community that has long cherished its special bond with the Muslims of Egypt and Arabia.

The 2nd migration is about 50-100 people Marriage, with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Among the wives of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Sauda (Allah be pleased with her an excellent position in so far as she was the first to marry to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) after the death of Khadija (Allah be pleased with her). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was very depressed and dejected due to the death of Khadidja (Allah be pleased with her). Seeing him in such a state, Khaula bint Hakim (the wife of 'Uthman bin Maz'un)said, "You seem to be in need of a companion and a consoler." The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be with him) replied : Yes, the management of the house and chidlren so far rested with Khadija (Allah be pleased with her). So Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave permission to Khawla to speak to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and to Sawda on the subject. Khawla went straight to Sawda and said, "Would you like Allah to give you great blessing, Sawda?" Sawda asked,"And what is that, Khawla?" She said, "The Messenger of Allah has sent me to you with a proposal of marriage!" Sawda tried to contain herself in spite of her utter astonishment and then replied in a trembling voice, "I would like that! Go to my father and tell him that." Khawla went to Zam'a, and found the old man, and greeted him and then said, "Muhammad son of Abdullah son of Abdul Muttalib, has sent me to ask for Sawda in marriage." 7

The old man shouted, "A noble match. What does she say?" Khawla replied, "she would like that." He told her to call her. When she came, he said, "Sawda, this woman claims that Muhammad son of Abdullah son of Abdul Muttalib has sent me to ask for you in marriage. It is a noble match. Do you want me to marry you to him?" She accepted, feeling it was a great honor. He replied: No doubt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is a noble man but I would like to consult Sauda also. When all the matters were settled, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) himself went to Sauda's house. Sauds's father read out the Nikah. Four hundred Dirhams were fixed as dowery( gifted by the king of Ethiopia- Nagus ,received by khalid ibn Sa’id). The marriage of Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) took place in Ramadan, on the 10th year of Apostlehood. The different saying about the marriage timing from scholors Since this day falls nearer to 'A'isha's marriage, the historians differ ragarding the date of her marriage as to which one took place earlier. According to Ibn Ishaq, Sauda's marriage took place first and according to 'Abdullah bin Muhammad bin 'Aqil, Aisha's marriage took place first. About her age when married to Prophet(pbuh) some said 60, some said 80 there is not history confirmation According to some traditions, Sauda had related adream to her first husband during his lifetime and he had said : Perhaps my death is near at hand and you will be tied in the bond of marriage with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This dream proved to be hundred percent true. After Her Marriage

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After the marriage when 'Abdullah bin Zam'a (Sauda's brother) who was then a disbeliever came to know of it, threw dust on his head exclaiming : Woe to me what has happened! Later on, when he embraced Islam he always repented of his foolishness.

General Events

On the 10th year of Hijra, when the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performed Hajj, Sauda also accompanied him. She was a longstatured bulky woman and so she could not walk quickly. The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) permitted her to proceed to Muzdalida earlier than the other people so that she could avoid the difficulty of walking through the multitude of people.

Her Excellence As a good wife Her narration of Hadith Only five traditions have been reported by Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) of which only one tradition has been menitioned in Sahih alBukhary. Out of the companions of the Holy Prophet, the names of Ibn 'Abbas, Ibn Zubair and Yahya bin 'Abdul Rahman cam be mentioned who have transmitted from her. Sauda was easily susceptible to anger. 'A'isha admired her greatly ; but she said : Sauda flares up within no time. “ I have no seen any woman whom I would wish to be like more than Sawah bin zama- although she had a quick temper “ ( narrated muslim) Once she was going to the desert to answer the call of nature. On the way she met 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him). As she was quite a tall woman, 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) recognized her. He did not like that the wives of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) should go out.

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Since 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) had already brought forth this issue (at keeping the women under veil) he said to Sauda : “I have recognized you.” She (Sauda) got extremely offended; went to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and! complained against 'Urnar Immediately after this incident, the Surah Hijab was revealed.* Al Bukhary Volume 1, Book 4, Number 148: Narrated 'Aisha: The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes). Her Obidence to the Prophet (pbuh) The Holy Prophet while addressing his wives on the occasion of ulWada said : When I leave, do not go out of the house.(1) Sauda acted upon this advice strictly and did not proceed for Hajj after this. She said : I have performed both Hajj and 'Umra and I shall remain in the house according to the Will of Allah.(2) Her humors that pleased her husband Nevertheless, she had the element of laughter in her. She sometimes walked in such a way that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of

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Allah be upon him) could not help smiling. Once she told that yesterday night she offered her prayer with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He prolonged his prostration to such an extent that I feared lest my nose should begin to bleed. So I caught hold of my nose for long. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) smiled on hearing these words. She is Afraid of Dajjal She was terribly afraid of Dajjal. Once she came to 'A'isha Hafsa when both of them said to her jokingly : Dajjal has appeared. Hadrat Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) was utterly founded. There was a camp nearby where some persons were lighting fire ; she entered it. Hadrat 'A'isha and Hafsa (Allah be pleased with them) went to the Holy Prophet (peace blessings of Allah be upon him) laughingly and told him about the joke which they had played with Sauda. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went to the camp and said : Dajjal has not yet come. Thereupon, Hadrat Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) came out; the cobwebs had struck to her clothes. She removed the cobwebs from her clothes. (According to M.S.Siddiqi this Hadith is weak and unauthenticated). Her Hospitality and Generosity Hospitality and generosity were her outstanding merits and she excelled the other wives in these virtues except 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her). She would spend all of the money that came to her on the poor and needy. On the day of battle of Khaibar, her share of the booty was 80 Mudds of dates and 20 mudds of wheat, and she distributed it all until nothing remained. Once during Caliphate of Umar, he (Allah be pleased with him) sent to her a bag. She enquired : What is in it ? He replied : Dirhams. She said : Dirhams are also sent in a bag like dates and then she call her servant and order her to distribute the money. Her Sacrifice & the love to the Prophet & Allah Sawdah served the household of the Prophet and his daughters. She pleased his heart and helped him to go on calling for Allah.

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After Prophet (pbuh) married Aisha, she realized Prophet(pbuh) married her out of sympathy, after her 1st husband death.She was also far ahead in making sacrifice; We have already mentioned that she and 'A'isha were married to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) just one after the other. Since she was senior in age to 'A'isha, when she became old, she was afraid lest the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) should divorce her and thus she should be deprived of the noble company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), being informed of the Prophet’s intention of divorce, she felt that as if she was living in a nightmare for such news. She entreats the Prophet (pbuh) by saying “O Messenger of Allah, hold me. By Allah, I did not seek to have a husband but I just hope that Allah may resurrect me as you wife on the day of Judgement.” Thus she (may Allah be pleased with her ) preferred the Propht’s desire ,therefore, she gave her night turn to 'A'isha to please Prophet which the latter willingly accepted. The Prophet (pbuh) responded to her noble feelings. Allah reveled the verse: 4:128

4:128

If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practise self-restraint, God is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

‫ن تُحْسِنُوا‬ ْ ‫ح وَِإ‬ ّ ّ‫خيْ ٌر وَأُحْضِ َرتْ الَْن ُفسُ الش‬ َ ُ‫صلِحَا بَ ْينَ ُهمَا صُلْحًا وَالصّلْح‬ ْ ُ‫ن ي‬ ْ َ‫عَليْ ِهمَا أ‬ َ َ‫جنَاح‬ ُ َ‫عرَاضًا فَل‬ ْ ِ‫ن بَعِْلهَا نُشُوزًا َأوْ إ‬ ْ ِ‫ت م‬ ْ ‫ن امْرََأةٌ خَا َف‬ ْ ‫وَِإ‬ ‫خبِيرًا‬ َ َ‫ن بِمَا تَ ْعمَلُون‬ َ ‫لّ كَا‬ َ ‫َو َتتّقُوا فَِإنّ ا‬ Wa-ini imraatun khafat min baAAliha nushoozan aw iAAradan fala junaha AAalayhima an yusliha baynahuma sulhan waalssulhu khayrun waohdirati al-anfusu alshshuhha wa-in tuhsinoo watattaqoo fa-inna Allaha kana bima taAAmaloona khabeeran

Sawdah remained in the Prophet’s house thankful and grateful to Allah that He inspired such solution to her in order to be with the best of

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Allah’s creation and to be mother of the faithful and a wife of the Prophet in the Paradise. Children She bore the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be cpon him) no children. She had one son from her first husband whose name was 'Abdul Rahman. He met with martyrdom in lie battle of Jalula' (Persia).

Her Death Once the wives of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah he upon him) were sitting in the company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when they asked him: Who will die first of us, The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied : One who has the longest hands amongst you. They took its literal meaning and measured their hands and it was Sauda's hand that was found to be the longest amongst them.(2) When Hadrat Zainab died first, they knew the exact implication of the Prophet's words that the longest hand implied the hand which excelled in hospitality and generosity. Waqid is of the view that Sauda died in the 54th Hijra (3) but according to Thaqa her death occurred in the last days of the Caliphate of Hadrat 'Umar.(4) Hadiat 'Umar died in the 23rd Hijra, hence the year of death of Hadrat Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) can be the 22nd Hijra. This tradition is mentioned in Khamis and appears to be an authentic one.(5) Imam Bukhari, Zahbi, Jazri Ibn 'Abdul Bara and Khazraji have made a mention of it. But she died at the ltat years of Umar’s era.

Aisha Praise her A'isha has reported : None among the women has inspired this feeling in me that my soul should have been in her heart. She was more prominent than all the wives of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in obeying and serving the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). 13

May Allah be please with her and raise her to higher level of Jannah. ameen

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