Juwairia bin Haarith (r.a.) - wife of Rasulullah (saw)

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) after he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had married Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha). Her father’s name was Haarith. She was brought back as a slave, after the expedition of Banu Mustaliq. The entire incident is as follows:

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to know that the tribe of Banu Mustaliq were making ready for a war with the Muslims. Their leader was Haarith bin Abi Diraar (he was the father of Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha), and later became a Muslim. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) took about 700 Sahabah with him and they headed for the tribe of Banu Mustaliq. He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) left Hadhrat Abu Zarr Ghiffaari or Nameela bin Abdullah Laithi (radhiAllaahu anhuma) behind to control Madinah Shareef. This was in the 5^th or 6^th year A.H. On their way they came to a pond nearby Banu Mustaliq, known as “Muryasa`”. Here they met with the enemy. This battle was also known as “Ghazwa Muryasa`a”. Prior to the battle starting Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) to proclaim to the enemy: “Say ‘Laa Ilaaha Illallahu’ and you will save yourself and your wealth.” The enemies refused to accept the invitation to Islaam. The battle begun, and Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) gave the order for attack, and all the Sahabah attacked at once, with the result, they (Sahabah) were victorious. Ten person of the Banu Mustaliq were killed. Two of them were killed by Hadhrat Ali (radhiAllaahu anhu). One Sahabi, by the name of Hadhrat Hishaam (radhiAllahu anhu) was martyred in this battle.

COMING INTO THE SANCTUARY OF PROPHETHOOD

This battle resulted in a great deal of prisoners and wealth coming into the hands of the Muslims. Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) was also amongst the prisoners. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) distributed the prisoners amongst the Sahabah (radhiAllaahu anhum). Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) came into the share of Hadhrat Thaabit bin Qais bin Shimaas (radhiAllaahu anhu) or his cousin. However, Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) did not wish to live as a slave and she entered into a Kitaabat agreement with her owner (i.e. an agreement where the slave and master agree on a specified price, whereby the slave is set free). She came into the presence of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and told him that she is the daughter of Haarith bin Abi Diraar, the leader of the Banu Mustaliq, and that she has the misfortune of now being a slave. She mentioned regarding her Kitaabat agreement with Hadhrat Thaabit (radhiAllaahu anhu) [or his cousin] and that she has now come to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) for assistance. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked her if she would not like a better prospect than just money for her freedom. She asked what it was. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) will pay for her freedom and get married to her. She replied: “Oh Rasulullaah, I am prepared.” Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) paid for her release and he married her after that.

Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha)’s first husband was Musaafi` bin Safwaan, who was killed in that very battle, where she was taken prisoner.

Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) says: “Three days before Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made his way to Banu Mustaliq, I saw in a dream that the moon came out of Madinah Tayyibah and settled on my lap. I did not deem it appropriate to relate this dream to anyone. When we were taken prisoner after the battle, all my hopes regarding this dream came to realisation, and Alhamdulillah, it was completed, when Sayed-e-Aalam (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) freed me and thereafter married me.”

HER COMING INTO THE SANCTUARY OF NABUWWAT WAS A BLESSING FOR THE ENTIRE TRIBE

When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha), this news reached Madinah Tayyibah. The tribe of Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) were all distributed as slaves amongst the Sahabah (radhiAllaahu anhum). When this news spread, then the Sahabah started freeing these slaves, as they were the in-laws of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). How could they now be kept on captivity? Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) says that she did not even broach the subject with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). The Sahabah, on their own free will freed my tribesmen and family. This news was given to me by a cousin of mine. When I heard this, I thanked Allaah Ta`ala.

Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) mentioned the following regarding this incident: “The Nikah Of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to Juwairia resulted in the freeing of 100 prisoners of the Banu Mustaliq. I do not know of any woman who was more blessed for her tribe than her( i.e. Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha)).”

HER REFUSAL TO GO WITH HER FATHER AND LEAVE NABI (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) freed and married Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha), her father came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and told him (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that his daughter was from an honourable family, and that it would not be cultured to keep her as a slave. Therefore he requested, that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) release her. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked him as to what he would say if Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would give Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) a choice, as to what she decides to do. Haarith agreed wholeheartedly. Thereafter Haarith went to Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) and told her that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had given her a choice, as to whether she would stay or come with him. Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) said: “I choose Allaah Ta`ala and His Rasul (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).”

FATHER’S ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAAM

After witnessing a miracle of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), the father of Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) also accepted Islaam. The details are as follows:

at the occasion of the battle of Banu Mustaliq, Haarith (father of Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha)) somehow managed to escape from being taken a prisoner. He later made his way to Madinah Tayyibah, with many camels, with the intention of freeing his daughter. From all the camels, he hid two of the camels in the valley of ‘Aqeeq’, and proceeded with the balance to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Here he offered these camels in lieu of his Daughter. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked him about the two camels which he hid in the valley of ‘Aqeeq’. Upon hearing this he read the Kalima-e-Shahaadat, and said that surely he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is the Prophet of Allaah Ta`ala, and that besides Allaah Ta`ala, none else would have known of the camels. He said that Allaah Ta`ala must have informed Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) of the camels. Together with him, two of his daughters and many persons of his tribe accepted Islaam. In view of the previously related incident, it is apparent that Hadhrat Haarith (radhiAllaahu anhu) intended taking his daughter, Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) back home with him. However, she refused of her own will.

CHANGE OF NAME

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to change names that were inappropriate. Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha)’s name was “Barrah”. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) changed it to Juwairia.

Another girl’s name was Barrah, and Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) changed it to Zainub. One girl’s name was Aasiya (with the Arabic letter ‘Sword’ - meaning a sinner), Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) changed her name to Jameela. One man’s name was Hazan (meaning: hard), Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) changed it to Sahal.

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that on the day of Qiyaamah, people will be called by their names, hence good names should be given.

The name “Barrah” means: pious woman. If someone asks this woman her name and she says “Barrah” (i.e. a pious woman), this would constitute self-praise, which is not good, hence Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) changed such names.

REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAAH TA`ALA

Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) used to make excessive Zikr of Allaah Ta`ala. Once, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saw her making Zikr on the Musallah, after Fajr Salaat for a very long time (right upto mid-morning). When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to her at Chaasht time, she was still sitting in the same place, he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked her: “Are you still sitting here from that time (Fajr)?” She replied in the affirmative. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told her that he had read four sentences thrice, and the reward received for these sentences (if measured ) comparing to her Zikr, will outweigh it. The four sentences are as follows: “Subhaanallahi wa Bihamdihi, Adada Khalqihi wa Ridha Nafsihi wa Zeenata Arshihi wa Midaada Kalimaatihi.”

DEMISE

Hadhrat Juwairia (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away in the 50^th year A.H. Waaqidi has shown her demise to be in the year 56 A.H. It has also been stated that Marwaan bin Hakam read her Janaaza Salaat.