Juwayriyya bint al-Harith
Umm al-Mu'minin
Her marriage to the Prophet brought immense blessings to her tribe, the Banu Mustaliq, leading to their freedom and conversion to Islam.
- Born
- Born circa 608 CE
- Died
- Died 670 CE (50 AH) in Medina
- Cause of death
- Natural causes
A Blessing for Her People
Juwayriyya was the daughter of the chief of the Banu Mustaliq tribe. During a military campaign, her tribe was defeated and she was taken captive. She approached the Prophet (PBUH) seeking help to pay her ransom. The Prophet paid her ransom and offered to marry her. Upon hearing that the Prophet had married the daughter of their chief, the Muslim army immediately freed all the captives of Banu Mustaliq, declaring it improper to hold the Prophet's new in-laws as captives.
Conversion of a Tribe
Due to this immense act of grace, the entire tribe of Banu Mustaliq embraced Islam. She was described by Aisha as the woman who brought the greatest blessing to her people.
A Life of Worship
Shia historians remember Juwayriyya as a woman of profound devotion. She spent long hours in her prayer mat praising God. There are famous narrations where the Prophet left her reciting dhikr in the morning and returned hours later to find her still sitting in the same spot, deeply engaged in worship.