Hazrat Sawdah (R.A)

After the demise of Hazrat Khadijah , the Holy Prophet Muhammadwas
much worried and grief stricken. He had to look after his child and
attend to the household chores, adding considerably to the agony of
the death ofhis loving wife. This also caused hindrance in his
Prophetic mission. Seeinghim worried and distressed, Hazrat Khawlah
bint Hakeem , wife of Hazrat Uthman bin Maz'oon , suggested to the
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) that he badly needed a
companion to help him in running his house and looking after his
children, and proposed the name of HazratSawdahwho was an elderly
widow.
HazratSawdahand her late husband Hazrat Sakran, were early converts to
Islam, and also had the honour of having migrated to Abyssinia.
Therefore, they were very much close and dear to the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). On return from Abyssinia, Hazrat Sakran
(Radhiyallahu-Anhu) passed away. HazratSawdah(Radhiyallahu-Anha) was
now left a forlorn widow with a baby.
On receipt of the suggestion, the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) considered it carefully. The mission of
Prophethood now demanded much time, but due to him being preoccupied
in household affairs, he could not devote enoughtime to his heavenly
mission. He therefore accepted the proposal also taking into
consideration that an early convert toIslammay be helped and honoured,
and approvedHazrat Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) to negotiate for his
marriagewith Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha).
Proposal to Hazrat Sawdah
Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha ) went straight to Hazrat Zum'aa bin Qais ,
the father of Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma), and after
exchanging compliments conveyed the message ofthe Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). Hazrat Zum'aa
(Radhiyallahu-Anhu) was much pleased and remarked that: "Hazrat
Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) comes from a very respectable
family and is a perfect gentleman and that any father would feel proud
of marrying his daughterto him." He further suggested to Hazrat
Khawlah that Hazrat Sawdah should also be consulted in this
connection. Hazrat Khawlah then went to Hazrat Sawdah and conveyed the
message ofthe Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and added that
Hazrat Sawdah had already obtained the approval of her father for the
marriage. Hazrat Sawdah[Radhiyallahu-Anha ] expressed her consent and
happiness in the marriage. The marriage was settled and Hazrat Sawdah
was married with Prophet Muhammad(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ). The
Nikah Khutbah(sermon) was read by Hazrat Sawdah's (Radhiyallahu-Anha)
father himself. Hazrat Sawdah was 55 at the time of this marriage.
By this marriage the house of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
was once more aglow with warmth and happiness. Hazrat Fatimah and
Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma ) were the two orphaned
daughters of Prophet[s.a.w.] Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) used to
love these two daughters very affectionately, so much so that nobody
could even doubt that she was not their real mother. Hazrat Sawdah
(Radhiyallahu-Anha) had no children from the Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ) However, from her first husband (Hazrat
Sakran )she had a son named Hazrat Abdur-Rahmaan (Radhiyallahu-Anhu).
He fell a martyr fighting in the battle of Jalula.