(Sayyidah Juwairiyah bintul Haarith [radhiyallahu ‘anha] – Part One)
During the 5th year after Hijrah, the leader of the Banul Mustaliq Clan, Haarith bin Abi Dhiraar, began preparing to fight against the Muslims. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) learnt of this, he dispatched Sayyiduna Buraidah bin Husaib Aslami (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to verify this news. He thus went to the Banul Mustaliq Clan, met with their leader and thereafter returned to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informing him of their intentions.
Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) prepared his army and left quickly on the 2nd of Sha’baan taking thirty horses along with them. (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 2, pg. 63)
On their side, the Banul Mustaliq were not expecting the Muslims to come at that time and they had thus taken their animals to a well called Muraisee’ to feed them water. The Muslims launched a sudden attack at that moment and took over the area, killing ten of them and capturing the rest. The Muslims also seized two thousand camels and five thousand goats of theirs as booty. Among the prisoners was Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the daughter of their leader, Haarith bin Abi Dhiraar. She was only twenty years old at the time. She was married to Musaafi’ bin Safwaan, but he was killed when the Muslims attacked the Banul Mustaliq. When the spoils of war were distributed among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) fell in the share of Sayyiduna Thaabit bin Qais (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He then made an agreement with her to pay a certain sum of money in order to secure her freedom. (Saheeh Bukhaari #2541, Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 2, pg. 64 and Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 4, pg. 424 – 427)
Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) required assistance to pay it off and thus approached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in order to seek his help. When she arrived, she addressed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), I am Juwairiyah, the daughter of Haarith, who is the leader of his people. I am (currently) in such a situation which is not unknown to you.” She then explained her plight and sought his assistance. Upon hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked her if she would desire a better option than paying for her freedom. When she enquired as to what this option was, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “I will pay off the amount and I will marry you.” She agreed and was thus accepted to become the respected wife of the greatest human to walk on the surface of the earth. (Sunan Abi Dawood #3931)
Coincidentally, her father, Haarith, also appeared before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and submitted, “It does not befit my daughter to be taken as a prisoner. I am too noble for that (to happen), so (please) let her go.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him, “Tell me, would we not have done good if we give her a choice (of returning with you or staying by us)?” Haarith replied in the affirmative. He then approached his daughter and addressed her saying, “This man has indeed given you a choice so do not disgrace us (by choosing him over us).” However, Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) responded, “Indeed I have chosen Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” Hearing this her father exclaimed, “By Allah, you have disgraced us.” (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 118)
According to one narration, her father, Haarith took along a number of camels and set out for Madeenah Munawwarah in order to secure the release of his daughter. On his way, at a place called ‘Aqeeq, he looked at the camels which he had brought as ransom and realized that he really liked two of them. He thus hid them in one of the valleys of ‘Aqeeq. He then came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and exclaimed, “O Muhammad, you have taken my daughter (as a captive) and this is her ransom (which I have brought).” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him, “Where are the two camels which you hid in ‘Aqeeq, in so and so valley?” Haarith was baffled and immediately proclaimed, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah and that you, Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), are the messenger of Allah. By Allah, only Allah knew that (which I had done in ‘Aqeeq).” Together with Sayyiduna Haarith (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), two of his sons and a few others from his people also accepted Islam. (Seerah Ibni Hishaam vol. 3, pg. 295)
Three days prior to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) attacking the Banul Mustaliq, Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had seen an extraordinary dream. In it, she saw the moon approaching from Madeenah Munawwarah and falling in her lap. However, she did not feel comfortable to relate this dream to anyone from her clan. Eventually, when they had been captured, Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was now anticipating the dream that she had seen (to unfold). Shortly thereafter, her dream became a reality when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) freed her and married her. (Mustadrak Haakim #6781)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gave Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) four hundred dirhams as mahr. As soon the news of this marriage spread among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), they set every captive of the Banul Mustaliq Clan free, since they did not deem it fit that the in-laws of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remain as slaves. In reference to this incident, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah Siddeeqah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mentioned, “We have not seen a woman who was a source of greater blessings for her people than her (i.e. Sayyidah Juwairiyah [radhiyallahu ‘anha]). Because of her, hundred families of the Banul Mustaliq were set free.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #3931 and Seerah Ibni Hishaam vol. 3, pg. 296)
Lessons:
1. Any person or anything which has a connection with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) automatically becomes blessed, whether they be his household, companions, city, possessions, or anything else. Thus, as soon as Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) entered into the marriage of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), she became so blessed that these blessings even extended to her family as well. If we too build a connection with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), by adopting his ways and lifestyle, we will also find the blessings of Allah Ta‘ala enveloping us and our families.
2. Sometimes a person is overcome by a difficulty in life only to be granted something better in return. Hence, he may initially detest the situation he is put in, only to realize later on that it was that very difficulty which opened up many doors of blessings for him. Sayyidah Juwairiyah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) clan was attacked and she was taken as prisoner along with them. However, this imprisonment actually became the reason for her attaining eternal bliss by accepting Islam and marrying the paragon of Allah Ta‘ala’s creation – Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!
3. A great quality of the pious servants of Allah Ta‘ala is their ability to acknowledge the good of another person and to give credit when it is due. This is because their hearts are clean from all types of malice and hatred. Hence, despite the natural rivalry which exists between co-wives, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had the heart to acknowledge the virtue and blessings of Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and to give her due credit for it. After all, she is known with the title “Siddeeqah” (a woman with the highest level of truthfulness), and her respected father was also “Siddeeq”. (Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 4, pg. 426)
4. The entire clan of the Banul Mustaliq were set free as a result of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) merely marrying Sayyidah Juwairiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). What great blessings were born out of this union! Likewise, there are wisdoms behind the other marriages of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam); some of which are apparent to us and others are known to Allah Ta‘ala, The All-Wise. Hence, we should never allow our minds to fall prey to the doubts which are created by the enemies of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) regarding his multiple marriages, as these fulfilled important roles and great purposes, and only occurred as per the command of Allah Ta‘ala.