It's important that as Muslimahs we have our own role models to look up to. We don't look to the latest stars, celebrities, models and politicians for our examples. Instead we look to the Muslimahs of yesterday and today. We are beautiful, strong, intelligent women with voices to be heard. Always have been and always will be. We are the mothers, the teachers, the listeners, the supporters and the backbone of our Ummah.Her name and lineage
Hazrat Saudah (Radi’Allahu Anha) belonged to the tribe of Aamir Bin Lawi which was a branch of the Quraysh. She was the daughter of Zam’a, son of Qais. Her mother’s name was Shamoos who belonged to the Banu Najjar tribe of Medina.
Her youth
She was initially married to Sakran, son of Amr who was a nephew of her father. She and her husband embraced Islam together in the early days of Prophethood. Because of the tyranny and repression of the Quraysh towards Muslims, Hazrat Saudah (Radi’Allahu Anha) and her husband joined the party of immigrants leaving for Abyssinia. She returned to Makkah after residing in Abyssinia for a number of years. On returning to Makkah, her husband Sakran passed away.
Marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
After the sad demise of Hazrat Khadijah (Radi’Allahu Anha), the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was greatly grief-stricken. Through a number of people, the marriage of Hazrat Saudah (Radi’Allahu Anha) was decided and her father gave her in marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) for dower money of 400 Dirhams. It is narrated that Hazrat Saudah (Radi’Allahu Anha) saw a dream during the lifetime of her former husband, Sakran, who gave the interpretation that he would die and she would be wedded to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). This dream came true.
Qualities
Hazrat Saudah (Radi’Allahu Anha) was the most obedient of all the wives. On the occasion of the last pilgrimage, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had desired that his wives stay in their homes after his death. Hazrat Saudah (Radi’Allahu Anha) obeyed this order to the extent that she did not leave her home even for another Hajj saying, “I have already performed Hajj and Umrah and hence I shall stay on in my home as per orders of Allah and His Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).”
In alms-giving and generosity, she was above all the wives except Hazrat Aisha (Radi’Allahu Anha). She earned from cleansing of hides and skins and spent lavishly in the way of Allah on deeds of virtue and righteousness.
She also had a good sense of humour. At times, she walked in such a way that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was amused. Once she said to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), “Last night I prayed in your company but your bowing became so prolonged that I feared my nose had started bleeding and I caught hold of my nose for a long time. This amused the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and he smiled.
***article from http://issmstudents.org.uk/articles/female_comp/Saudah_ra.asp***
***If you know a Muslimah to look up i.e. your Mother, teacher, sister in your community, friend, etc. Send us an email at mail@muslimah2muslimah.com so we can feature them. Tell us why they are a Muslimah to look up to in your opinion along with an image.***
Asalaamu alaikum
Nadira & Najwa
Thanks for the piece Muslimah. Sawdah was a major mother figure to daughtersf of Khadijah(If I am not mistaken). And also very close to Aisha. You know, the co-wives had their preferable associates within the household. Umm Salamah, Umm Habiba, and the Prophet's daughter fatima were very close. On the other side Aisha,Safiyah, and Sawdah. Zaynab was relatively neutral.
ReplyDeleteJazakAllah for sharing this. Indeed they were the ones to look upto.
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