Safiyya (r.a.) - wife of Rasulullah (saw)

After Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s Nikah to Hadhrat Umme Habiba (radhiAllaahu anha), he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha), who was from the family of Hadhrat Haroon (alaihi salaam). Her father’s name was Huyay bin Akhtab and her mother’s name was Barrah binti Samwaal. Prior to her Nikah with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) she was married to two other persons, one after the other. Her first husband was Salaam bin Mushkim and the second was Kanana bin Abil Haqeeq.

HER COMING INTO THE SANCTUARY OF NABUWWAT

Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) saw many dreams, whose interpretations meant that she was to become the wife of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Once she saw in a dream that the moon came onto her lap. When she related this dream to her mother, she gave her a hard slap and told her: “Do you wish that you come into the Nikah of the Shah of Arabia (Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)?” The narrator of this says that the effects of this slap upon the face of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha), by her mother remained thereupon until her Nikah to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saw this he asked her regarding it, and she narrated the entire incident.

Once she saw in a dream, that the sun fell upon her chest. When she related this dream to her, then husband, he also told her what her mother had told her, that: “Do you wish to come into the Nikah of the Shah of Arabia, who has come and taken up residence near us?” This incident occurred at that time when Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), went for battle and reached their area (Khyber).

In the 7^th year A.H. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), went to Khyber, which was a place where jews resided. They lived in such a way that there were many forts, a community of people lived in each fort. In the 4^th A.H., when Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) expelled the Banu Nadhir (jews) from Madinah Tayyibah, some of them went to Syria and others settled in Khyber. The father of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha), who was the chief of the Banu Nadhir, settled in Khyber. As Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) neared Khyber, some of the people were out of their forts and when they saw the Muslim army coming they ran back saying: “Muhammed and his army are coming!” Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) surrounded their forts and conquered them one by one. The last fort to be conquered was surrounded for ten days. A person by the name of Murhab, who was the chief of this fort was killed and the husband of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was also killed in this battle.

When the battle was completed, all the prisoners were gathered and Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was amongst them. Hadhrat Dahya (radhiAllaahu anhu) came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and said that he would like to have a slave-girl. Hadhrat Dahya (radhiAllaahu anhu) chose Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha). Another person came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and said: “Oh Rasulullaah, the slave that Dahya has chosen is the (daughter of the) leader of the tribe of Banu Nadhir and Quraidha. It is only fitting and appropriate that you take her for yourself.”

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked for Hadhrat Dahya (radhiAllaahu anhu) to be brought to him. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told him to choose another slave (in place of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha)) from the prisoners and he happily consented. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) took Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) for himself, freed her and made Nikah with her.

It is said that her name was Zainub. She received the name Safiyya owing to the fact that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) chose her for himself. The meaning of the word Safiyya is ‘the chosen one.’

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married her on the journey, and the Walimah also took place on the journey, at a place called ‘Sahbaa’. Hadhrat Umme Salim and Umme Sinaan (radhiAllaahu anhuma) prepared Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) for Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and sent her to his tent. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not sleep that night, but he stayed awake and spoke to her the entire night. At that time she had not yet reached the age of 17 years.

WALIMAH

Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) stayed for three days between Khyber and Macca. He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) spent these three nights with Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha), and the Walimah also took place during this time. There was no meat or roti for the Walimah (in fact there were lots of other things). Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) gave the order for a leather dastarkhaan (tablecloth) to be laid down. Cheese, butter and dates were laid there upon. Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) was asked to bring people to the Walimah. People were called and they ate. Many of those in the army were unsure as to whether Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had made Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) a wife or a slave. They decided to take note and see whether Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) keeps her under Purdah or not. If she is kept under Purdah then it will be ascertained that she is from amongst the Ummahaatul Mu`mineen. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) requested for a coach, and Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was placed at the back of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s conveyance. A purdah was put up and the people understood that she was now one of the Ummahaatul Mu`mineen. This narration appears in Bukhari Shareef under the chapter of Nikah. In another place Imaam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihi) placed this narration under the chapter of ‘Maghaazi’ (battles). Here it is mentioned that Hadhrat Abu Huraira (radhiAllaahu anhu) was given the order to place the tablecloth. This narration also appears in the chapter of Salaat, where it is mentioned that when Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) intended to have the Walimah, an announcement was made that whoever has anything they must bring it. People brought dates, butter, cheese etc. All this was placed together and eaten at the Walimah.

REACHING MADINAH MUNAWWARAH

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was extremely affectionate to his wives. During the journey back from Khyber, there were many occasions of mounting the camels. At each occasion, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would sit down next to the camel and allow Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) to climb upon his knees and mount the camel. Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) reports that she never saw a more gentle and kind person than Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

When they reached Madinah Munawwarah, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) put up Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) in the house of Hadhrat Haaritha bin Nu`maan (radhiAllaahu anhu). The news of her beauty spread through Madinah Tayyibah, and the women came to see her. Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) also came to see her. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked her what she thought of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha). She replied: “Yes, I came from seeing the Jewess. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told her not to say like that as Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was not a Jewess. She had accepted Islaam, and was an excellent Muslim.

GENEROSITY

Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was intelligent, virtuous and forbearing. A slave of hers once complained to Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) that Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) used to venerate the day of Saturday like the jews and she used to spend freely upon the jews. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) sent someone to investigate and Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) said: “The story of (my venerating) Saturdays is incorrect, since I have been blessed with Islaam and been bestowed with the day of Friday, I do not value the day of Saturday any more. I spend upon the jews as they are my family (even though one’s family may be non-Muslims, good relations must still be kept with them, and this is worthy of reward, as long as this does not interfere with one’s faith).

Later Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) asked her slave as to who had enticed her to resort to carrying tales. The slave replied that it was shaitaan. She was set free.

EXTREME LOVE FOR NABI (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) had extreme love and affection for Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was afflicted with severe illness, during his final stages, Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) said: “Oh Nabi of Allaah Ta`ala, I take an oath that my heart desires that the pain you are experiencing be given to me (instead of you).” When she said this the other wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) were also present. Some of them were mimicking her actions and they even moved their tongues in imitating her. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sensed this and said to them that they should rinse their mouths. They asked the reason for him (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying this. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Because you had indicated towards her (and mimicked her speech and actions, thereby making gheebat - backbiting). I take an oath in Allaah Ta`ala she is true in her words.”

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) kept the pleasure of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) in mind. If any of the other wives troubled her, he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) took her part.

Once, when Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to her, she was crying. When he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked her the reason for her crying, she replied that she had heard that Hadhrat Aisha and Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anhuma) were speaking evil about her, they said that they were better than her, because they were from the family of Rasulullaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), in that they and Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) were from the Quraish. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to her: “Why did you not tell them that you are the descendant of Haroon (alaihi salaam) and your uncle (in lineage) is Moosa (alaihi salaam), and that you are the wife of Muhammed (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), how then can their lineage be better than yours?”

On one occasion on a certain journey, Hadhrat Safiyya and Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anhuma) were accompanying Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). The camel of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was injured. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) to give one of her camels to Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha), since she (Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)) had extra camels. Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) said: “Should I give to the Jewess?”

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was very angry at her retort and he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not go to her (Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)) for 2 to 3 months. Thereafter, he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to go to her.

Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was short in stature. Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) reports that since Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) was short, she (Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha)) once referred to her (in front of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as : “Safiyya is this much.” Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to her that she had said such a terrible thing that if it was to be placed in the sea (i.e. her words), then the sea would spoil.

SERVICE OF HADHRAT UTHMAAN (RADHIALLAAHU ANHU)

During the fitnah in which Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) was martyred, there was a time when his house was surrounded and he was cut off from all basic essentials, Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) used to send food for him. On one occasion she mounted her mule and took her slave by the name of Kanana, to Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) in order to give him provisions. On the way they came up upon a person by the name of Ashtar (most probably an enemy of Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu)). He began hitting the mule of Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha). She immediately told her slave to take her back as she did not intend to be humiliated. Thereafter, she used to send food to Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) with Hadhrat Hassan (radhiAllaahu anhu).

ABSTINENCE AND IBAADAT

It is reported in ‘Bidaya’ that Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) is counted as amongst the leaders in Ibaadat, Zuhd (abstinence), piety, goodness and charity.

DEMISE

Hadhrat Safiyya (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away in the year 50 A.H. in the month of Ramadaan. She passed away during the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Mu`aawiya (radhiAllaahu anhu). She was buried in Jannatul Baqi. It is also reported that she passed away in the year 53 A.H. May Allaah Ta`ala be pleased with her.