Juwayriyyah Bint Al-Haarith

The fifth year of Hijrah )the Migration of Prophet Muhammadfrom 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 Prophetrallied 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 Prophetdistributed the captives among the Muslims. The daughter of
Al-Haarith fell to the lot of Thaabit Ibn Qays. 'Aa'ishahwho
accompanied the Propheton this expedition, related: "When the
Prophetdistributed 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 Prophetto 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 himwho 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.' Hesaid:'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.'Hereplied." ]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 Prophetfor her
husband and thus became Umm Al-Mu'mineen )Mother of the Believers(.
The news that the Prophethad married Juwayriyyahspread 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.
Juwayriyyahwas a woman ofexceptional beauty, and because she belonged
to the highest classof her society, sheacquired the best upbringing
and education that was available during her time. Shewas twenty years
old when the Prophetmarried her. No doubt, shewas the source
ofjealousy for his other wivesbut this did not prevent them from
appreciating her good character and companionship.
When the Prophetwent back to Al-Madeenah after that raid)on Banu
Al-Mustaliq(, with Juwayriyyahand was at a place called
'Thaatul-Jaysh', heentrusted her to one of the Ansaar )supporters of
the Prophetfrom Al-Madeenah(. Her father, Al-Haarith, discovered that
shehad 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 theProphetdragging the camels behind him,
and told him: "My daughter is too noble to be takenas a captive. Set
her free by this ransom." The Prophetreplied:"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," shereplied
calmly. "What a disgrace!"he exclaimed.
The Prophetthen 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." Heand his two sons who were with him and some of his
men accepted Islam. The Prophetasked him again for his daughter's hand
and heaccepted. The Prophetgave his new bride four hundred Dirhams as
her dowry.
Juwayriyyahaccepted Islam wholeheartedly and followed the excellent
example of her husbandin the worship of her Lord, trying to even
compete with himat times. Heleft her roomonce for Fajr )dawn prayer(
and came back after Dhuha)forenoon(: "I spent all the time you were
absent supplicating," she told him. Hesaid: "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[
Juwayriyyahspent her life in seclusion after the Prophetpassed away.
The Caliphswould provide for her sustenance, but she would spendit all
for the sake of Allaah. Sheperformed Hajj many times, and was known
for her passionate worship.
Shekept away from all the trials that raged later during her life.
Shedied during the caliphate of Mu'aawiyahat the age of sixty five.