Sayyidatuna Sawdah Bint Zam ah

Mother of the Believers, Sayyidatuna Sawdah bint Zam’ah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا

The Mother of the Believers, Sayyidatuna Sawdah bint Zam’ah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا, is one of the pure wives of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم who belonged to the Quraysh family. Her father’s name was "Zam’ah" and her mother’s name was "Shamūs bint ‘Amr." Previously, she was married to her cousin, "Sakrān bin ‘Amr." Both husband and wife became Muslims in the early days of Islam. According to one narration, her husband passed away in Makkah Mukarramah زَادَهَا اللّٰهُ شَرَفًا وَّتَعْظِيْمًا after returning from the migration to Abyssinia.[1]

Sayyidatuna Sawdah bint Zam’ah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was a very religious, organised, and helpful lady. She used to strictly follow the commands of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.[2]

An Enviable Lady:

She was tall and had a unique personality and beauty.[3] The Mother of the Believers, Sayyidatuna ‘Aishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا, used to greatly admire her for her excellent qualities.[4]

Marriage to the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم:

After Sayyidatuna Khadījah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا passed away, Sayyidatuna Khawlah bint Hakīm requested the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم: "یَا رَسُوْلَ اﷲ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم !: Please marry Sawdah bint Zam’ah." The Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم accepted this sincere advice from Sayyidatuna Khawlah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا. Thus, Sayyidatuna Khawlah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا first spoke to Sayyidatuna Sawdah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا, who agreed. Then, she spoke to her father, who also gave permission happily. This blessed marriage took place in the tenth year of the announcement of Prophethood.[5]

Arrangements for the Veil:

She followed the rules of the veil so strictly that she did not like to leave her house without a need. After she performed the obligatory Hajj, she said: "My Lord has commanded me to stay in the house. Therefore, by Allah! I will not leave the house until death." The narrator says: "By Allah! She did not leave the house until her funeral bier was finally carried out of it."[6]

Generosity:

Once, during his caliphate, Sayyiduna ‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ sent a bag full of Dirhams to Sayyidatuna Sawdah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا. She immediately distributed all those Dirhams among the poor and needy of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah زَادَهَا اللّٰهُ شَرَفًا وَّتَعْظِيْمًا.[7]

Passing Away:

According to one narration, she passed away in the month of Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 54 AH, during the era of Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’āwiyah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ.[8] Her blessed grave is in Jannat-ul-Baqī’.

To learn more about her life, please read the book of Maktabat-ul-Madinah, "Faizan-e-Ummahat-ul-Mu’minin."