Pious women of Islam
Sayyidatuna Hawwa Bint-e-Yazeed رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا
Muhammad Bilal Sa’eed Attari Madani
Amongst the fortunate female companions, who received blessings from the prophetic era, sacrificed everything for the sake of Islam and bravely confronted the difficulties that came to them whilst in striving in the way of Allah Almighty, shines the name of Sayyidatuna Hawwa Bint-e-Yazeed رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ.
Name and lineage
She رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was a resident of Madinah Munawwarah. Her name was Hawwa Bint-e-Yazeed Bin Sinaan. She belonged to the tribe of Banu ‘Abd Al-Ashhal. Her honourable mother was Aqrab Bint-e-Mu’aaz, who was the sister of the honourable companion Sayyiduna Sa’d Bin Mu'aaz رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. Hence, Sayyiduna Sa’d Bin Mu'aaz رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was the maternal uncle of Sayyidatuna Hawwa رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. Her brother Sayyiduna Rafi’ Bin Yazeed رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was also an illustrious companion who was martyred in the battle of Badr. (Tabqat Ibn-e-Sa’d, vol. 8, p. 247)
Islam and Allegiance (Bay’ah)
Even before the migration of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Sayyidatuna Hawwa Bint-e-Yazeed Ansaariyyahرَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was among the fortunate early reverts to Islam. The name of Sayyidatuna Hawwa Bint-e-Yazeed also appears in the list of the female companions who had the honour of being the first ones to take bay’ah (allegiance) to the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم after he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم arrived in Madinah. (Al-Isaabah fi Tamyeez Al-Sahabah, vol. 8, p. 91)
Patience against the hardships for the sake of Islam
When her husband, Qays, who did not accept Islam, came to know of her accepting Islam, he became extremely displeased with her and began to persecute her. When she would offer Salah, he would stop her, but she continued to live her life with patience and gratitude. (Usd-ul-Ghaabah, vol. 7, p.83)
The state of the Prophet’s صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم compassion
When the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم came to know of her circumstances, i.e. the manner in which her husband was oppressing her, he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was deeply saddened by this and became displeased. Coincidentally, Sayyidatuna Hawwa’s husband had come to Makkah in those days for some work and happened to meet the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم at one place. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم invited him to Islam passionately. He asked for some time which the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم granted him, but he still did not accept Islam. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to him: ‘Ponder deeply about Islam’, and also added: ‘You should not oppress your wife because of her acceptance of Islam, rather, show kindness and benevolence to her.’ Qays was receptive to this advice and stopped persecuting his wife. When the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم came to know of the fact that he no longer oppresses his wife and that he now treats her with kindness, he expressed his happiness upon this and said: ‘Qays has fulfilled his promise.’ (Usd-ul-Ghaabah, vol. 7, p.83)
May Allah Almighty grant us the special blessings of the female companions and the pious female predecessors.
اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم
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