Juwayriyyah Bint Al-Haarith

The fifth year of Hijrah (the Migration of Prophet Muhammad from
Makkah to Al-Madeenah)was a year rich in major events. During its
second half, the Muslims were busy fighting the Parties (coalition of
the tribes that rallied against them in an attempt to impede the
spread of Islam).
Muslims dug a trench around Al-Madeenah to defend it against the
enemies outside. But a greater danger was facing them from inside,
that of the Jewish tribes who breached the peace treaty. After
defeating the Parties, the Prophet rallied the Muslims against the
Jewish tribe of Banu An-Nadheer first. They blockaded their fortress
for twenty-five days until they all surrendered. Then the Muslims set
off towards the tribe of Banu Al-Mustaliq who were gathering forces to
fight them.
The two armies met at a watering well called Al-Muraysee'.A fierce
battle took place which ended by a heavy defeat of Banu Al-Mustaliq.
Most of their fighters were killed and their women were taken
captives. Their leader,Al-Haarith Ibn Dhiraar, escaped, but his
daughter, Barrah, fell to the hands of the Muslims.
The Prophet distributed the captives among the Muslims. The daughter
of Al-Haarith fell to the lot of Thaabit Ibn Qays . 'Aa'ishah who
accompanied the Prophet on this expedition, related: "When the Prophet
distributed the captives of Banu Al-Mustaliq, she (Barrah) fell to the
lot of Thaabit Ibn Qays ( ). She was married to her cousin, who was
killed during the battle. She gave Thaabit a deed (document), agreeing
to pay him for her freedom. She was a very beautifulwoman. She
captivated every man who saw her. She came to the Prophet to ask for
his help in the matter. As soon as I saw her at the door of my room, I
took a dislike to her, for I knew that he would see her as I saw her.
She went in and told him who she was, the daughter of Al-Haarith Ibn
Dhiraar, the chief of his people. She said: 'You can see the state to
which I have been brought. I have fallen to thelot of Thaabit, and
have given him a deed for my ransom, and I have come to ask your help
in thematter.' He said: 'Would you like something better than that? I
will discharge your debt, and marry you.' She said: 'Yes, O Messenger
of Allaah!' 'Then it is done.' He replied." [Ahmad]
This was the event that turned Barrah's (later named Juwayriyyah by
the Prophet ) life around. For not only did she accept Islam, thus
saving herself from Hellfire, but by accepting the Prophet for her
husband and thus became Umm Al-Mu'mineen (Mother of the Believers).
The news that the Prophet had married Juwayriyyah spread out, and now
that Banu Al-Mustaliq were the Prophet's relatives by marriage, the
Muslims found it hard to keep them as their captives. "The relatives
of the Messenger of Allaah!" They exclaimed. They set them free. A
hundred families were released from captivity because of this blessed
marriage."I do not know a woman who was a greater blessing to her
people than she." Said 'Aa'ishah .
Juwayriyyah was a woman ofexceptional beauty, and because she belonged
to the highest classof her society, she acquired the best upbringing
and education that was available during her time. She was twenty years
old when the Prophet married her. No doubt, she was the source
ofjealousy for his other wives but this did not prevent them from
appreciating her good character and companionship.
When the Prophet went back to Al-Madeenah after that raid (on Banu
Al-Mustaliq), with Juwayriyyah and was at a place called
'Thaatul-Jaysh', he entrusted her to one of the Ansaar (supporters of
the Prophet from Al-Madeenah). Her father, Al-Haarith, discovered that
she had been captive and went back to Al-Madeenah, bringing his
daughter's ransom. When he reached Al-'Aqeeq (a place near
Al-Madeenah), he looked at the camels he had brought as her ransom and
admired two of them greatly, so he hid them in one of the passes of
Al-'Aqeeq. Then he came to theProphet dragging the camels behind him,
and told him: "My daughter is too noble to be takenas a captive. Set
her free by this ransom." The Prophet replied: "Isn't it better that
we let her choose for herself?" "That is fair enough," said
Al-Haarith. He cameto his daughter and said: "This man is letting you
choose so do not dishonor us!" "I choose the Messenger of Allaah," she
replied calmly. "What a disgrace!"he exclaimed.
The Prophet then said: "Where are the two camels which you have hidden
in Al-'Aqeeq in such-and such a pass?" Al-Haarith exclaimed: "I bear
witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allaah, and that you
Muhammad are the Messenger of Allaah! For none could have known of
this but Allaah." He and his two sons who were with him and some of
his men accepted Islam. The Prophet asked him again for his daughter's
hand and he accepted. The Prophet gave his new bride four hundred
Dirhams as her dowry.
Juwayriyyah accepted Islam wholeheartedly and followed the excellent
example of her husband in the worship of her Lord, trying to even
compete with him at times. He left her roomonce for Fajr (dawn prayer)
and came back after Dhuha (forenoon): "I spent all the time you were
absent supplicating," she told him . He said: " Shall I tell you a few
words, if yousay them they will be heavier in the scale (on the Day of
Judgment) than what you have done? You say; 'Subhaana Allaahi 'adada
khalqih, subhaana Allaahi ridha nafsihi, subhana Allaahi zinata
'arshihi, subhaana Allaahi midaada kalimaatih." (Exalted (and Praised)
is Allaah as many times as the number of His creatures, and as much as
pleases Him, and as much as the weight of His Throne, and as much as
the ink for His Words). [At-Tirmithi]
Juwayriyyah spent her life in seclusion after the Prophet passed away.
The Caliphs would provide for her sustenance, but she would spendit
all for the sake of Allaah. She performed Hajj many times, and was
known for her passionate worship.
She kept away from all the trials that raged later during her life.
She died during the caliphate of Mu'aawiyah at the age of sixty five.
Source: Aljumuah, vol. 13