Sawdah bint Zam’ah (RA)- I

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The Prophet’s (SAW) Marriage to Sawdah (RA)

The Muslims felt the pain of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and the sadness caused to him by the loss of Khadeejah (RA) and they hoped that he would marry a virtuous woman who would help him through the ups and downs of life.
One day Khawlah bint Hakeem, the wife of Uthman bin Mazun came to him and opened the discussion about marriage.
Khawlah asked Him (SAW) if he would marry Aisha bint Abu baqr or Sawdah as she is a virtuous Muslim woman. He (SAW) told that Aisha was very young. He (SAW) thought about what she had told him and considered that it was sensible, for Sawdah (RA) was a Muslim woman who observed her religion strictly, had a good reputation and was able to take care of matters in the house.
This was particularly important since he had daughters who had lost their mother Khadeejah (RA).
Khawlah bint Hakeem then went to the house of Sawdah and said to her: “What a great goodness and blessing Allah has bestowed upon you!” She said: “What is that, oh, Khawlah?” She said, “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) has sent me to propose marriage to you.”
Sawdah (RA) was overjoyed, for she would be a wife of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). She consented immediately and told Khawlah to inform her father about it.
Khawlah went to her father and told about the proposal for his daughter. He asked if Sawdah had agreed for it. Then he informed Khawlah to tell Prophet (SAW) to go to his house.
The blessed marriage took place in the month of Ramdan.
He gave her 400 dirhams as dowry (Mahr).

Sawdah (RA) in the House of the Messenger of Allah (SAW)

She (RA) moved into the house of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and became one of the Mothers of the Believers, because any woman who married the Prophet (SAW) became a Mother to the Believers. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.” (33:6)

Sawdah (RA) attained this high honor and lived in the house of the Prophet (SAW) happily and contentedly, doing everything within her power to please him and to provide him with all comforts and lightening for him the worries of life.
She would remove His (SAW) sadness and worries he encountered while preaching through her playfulness and good humor.
She would often relate her experiences in Abyssiniah and the Prophet (SAW) would listen with great interest.

Sawdah’s (RA) Character

She (RA) was a woman of praiseworthy character, with a good heart and a pure soul, who loved goodness and was full of kindness and compassion towards those in need.
She (RA) was a likeable person who liked to joke and make innocent fun.
Aisha (RA) said: “I have not seen any woman whom I wish to be like more than Sawdah bint Zama’ah-although she had a quick temper.” (Muslim)
Sawdah (RA) was well known for her great generosity, she would spend all of the money that came to her on the poor and needy.

The Verse of Al-Hijab

It was regarding Sawdah (RA) that the verse of Al-Hijab was revealed; “Umaar (RA) had said to the Messenger of Allah: “Veil your wives,” but the Messenger of Allah (SAW) did not do so. Then one night, Sawdah (RA) went out at Isha time- and being a tall woman, she was recognized by Umar (RA) who called out: “We have recognized you, O Sawdah!”
He did this out of a sense of eagerness for an Edict to be revealed from Allah ordering the wearing of the veil and Allah, the Most High did reveal an Edict to that effect. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“O Consorts of the Prophet! ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complaisant of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye Members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes, of the Signs of Allah and His wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is well-acquainted (with them).” (33:32-34)

Sawdah (RA) Gives up her Night to Aishah (RA)

Sawdah (RA) lived a happy and blessed life in the house of the Prophet (SAW), who surrounded her with his kindness and compassion and treated her well.
When She began to feel that she was getting old and that she was no longer able to undertake the marital duties expected of a wife, she feared that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) would divorce her and she was keen to remain close to him, seeing him every day, hearing his words and acquiring knowledge from him.
She was keen to die while married to the Prophet (SAW) so that on the Day of Resurrection, she would be brought forth as his wife.
For these reasons she requested him not to divorce her and that her night with him be given to Aishah (RA).
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) agreed to the request of this virtuous woman, who was possessed of noble sensibility.
It is narrated by At-Tirmidhi, on the authority of Ibn Abbas that he said: “Sawdah feared that she would be divorced by the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and so she said: ‘Do not divorce me; keep me with you and give my day with you to Aishah.”
So Sawdah (RA) continued to live in the house of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) until he died and she did not bear him any children.

The Death of Sawdah (RA)

After the death of Prophet (SAW), she stayed in her house and did not leave it at all.
She did not even go for Hajj and Umrah and she would say: “I have performed Hajj and Umrah during the time of the Messenger of Allah (SAW), so I will remain in my house, as Allah, the Almighty, the All Powerful commanded me to do.”
Sawdah (RA) passed away during the caliphate of Umar bin Khattab (RA).

To read the story of Aisha bint Abu Baqr: Click Here