The Mothers of the Believers: Sawdah Bint Zamah

The Mothers of the Believers: Sawdah Bint Zamah

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (33:59)

• Sawdah migrated to Abyssinia with her first husband, Sakran bin Amr. Her husband died and left her with young children.
• The Prophet (ﷺ) married her after the death of Khadijah in Makkah. Sawdah became one the mothers of the believers. 
• She helped raise the children of the Prophet and take care of his household. 

Permission to go early to Al-Muzdalifah

Sawdah was a tall, heavy and slow woman. When she went with the Prophet (ﷺ) on Hajj, she asked the prophet’s permission to go early for Muzdalifah, moreover, the Prophet (ﷺ)  granted her wish. Aisha said she wished that she had asked permission to leave early as well to avoid the crowds. 

Narrated by Aisha that “I wished that I had asked the Messenger of Allah for permission as Sawdha did, so that I could pray Fajr in Mina before the people came. Sawdah was a heavyset woman, so she asked the Messenger of Allah for permission, and he gave her permission to pray Fajr in Mina and stone before the people came.” (Nasai, 3049)

Give up her days

When Sawdah advanced in age, she feared that the Prophet (ﷺ) would divorce her, thus she gave her days to Aisha. 

Narrated Ibn Abbas: “Sawdah feared that the Prophet (ﷺ) was going to divorce her, so she said: ‘Do not divorce me, but keep me and give my day to ‘Aishah.’’ So, he (ﷺ) did so, and the following was revealed: Then there is no sin on them both if they make terms of peace between themselves, and making peace is better (4:128). So, whatever they agree to make peace in something then it is permissible.” (Tirmidhi, 3040)

Putting hijab 

Narrated Aisha: “The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqi at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. Umar used to say to the Prophet (ﷺ) “Let your wives be veiled,” but Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)  did not do so. One night, Sauda bint Zam’a the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) went out at ‘Isha’ time, and she was a tall lady. Umar addressed her and said, “I have recognized you, O Sauda.” He said so, as he desired eagerly, that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So, Allah revealed the verses of “Al-Hijab” (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).” (Bukhari, 146)

Longest arms

Narrated Aisha: Some of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, “Who amongst us will be the first to follow you (i.e. die after you)?” He said, “Whoever has the longest hand.” So, they started measuring their hands with a stick and Sauda’s hand turned out to be the longest. (When Zainab bint Jahsh died first of all in the caliphate of Umar), we came to know that the long hand was a symbol of practicing charity, so she was the first to follow the Prophet (ﷺ) and she used to love to practice charity. (Sauda died later in the caliphate of Muawiya).” (Bukhari, 1420)

Loving and caring

Aisha narrated that “Never did I find any woman more loving to me than Sauda bint Zamah. I wished I could be exactly like her, who was passionate. As she became old, she had made over her day (which she had to spend) with Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) to Aisha. She said: I have made over my day with you to Aisha. So, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) allotted two days to Aisha, her own day (when it was her turn) and that of Sauda.” (Muslim, 1473 a)

Sawdah Bint Zamah passed away in Madinah during the caliphate of Muawiyah. She was generous, loving and caring and had a sense of humor. She took care of the Prophet’s children and his household.