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Ummul Mukminin Saudah bint Zam’ah

After Ummul Mukminin Khadijah died, the Prophet married a woman who was aged. He is Saudah bint Zam’ah. A woman of Quraysh beloved Aisyah radhiallahu ‘anha. Here is the story about him.

Knowing the Mother of Saudah

His name was Saudah bint Zam’ah bin Qays bin Abdusy Shams al-Qurashiyah al-Amiriyah. His mother was asyamus bint Qays bin Amr. She was the second wife of the Prophet Muhammad and was among the first to welcome the proselytizing of Islam. Of course this is a very big priority.

Ummul Mukminin Saudah was born in Mecca to a family of Quraysh descendants. Before marrying the Prophet, her husband was a distant cousin of the Prophet, his name was Sukran bin Amr bin Abdusy Shams radhiallahu ‘anhu. He is the brother of Sahl's best friend Suhail, Sulaith, and Hatib radhiallahu ‘anhum. From his first marriage, Saudah had a son from this marriage. Name's Abdullah. She along with her husband and brother Malik bin Zam’ah also migrated to Habasyah in the second hijrah. On his return from Habash to Mecca, Sukran died. This event before the migration to Medina (Ibn Sayyid an-Nas: ‘Uyun al-Atsar, 2/381).

After her husband died, Saudah lived alone in the family of her husband who is still a idol. His father is also still in poverty. Likewise his brother, Abdullah bin Zam’ah, is also still above the religion of the ancestors. This is the state of Saudah before the marriage of Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

Married for a Second Time

The death of Khadijah radhiallahu ‘anha leaves a deep sadness at the home of the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Khadijah died almost simultaneously with the death of his uncle, Abu Talib.

In the mix of loneliness and sadness, children and homes who have lost their caretakers, the companions feel sad and concerned about what befell the prophet. They sent Khalah ibn Hakim as-Salimah radhiallahu ‘anha, wife of Uthman ibn Mazh’un, to meet the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Khaulah came to motivate the prophet, to be interested in remarrying.

Khaulah radhiallahu ‘anha came and said to the Prophet, “Hi Prophet, don't you want to get married?”

“With whom?” reply Rasulullah.

“If you want with a girl. Or it could be with a widow.”, replied Khaulah.

The apostle of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam again asked, “When with whose girl? And if whose widow?”

Khaulah replied, “If it is a girl, she is the daughter of the creature of God whom you love the most, namely Aisha. The widow Saudah bint Zam’ah. He has faith in you and followed you.”

The Prophet said, “Tell him from me.”

You are also heading towards Saudah. He said, “How great is the goodness and blessing that God will bestow upon you.”

“What is it?” ask Saudah.

“Rasulullah sent me to propose to you”, Khaulah said.

Saudah responded, “Aduh. let's meet my father and tell him about this.”

Saudah's father was Zam’ah bin al-Aswad, one of the men who was credited with liberating Bani Hashim from the boycott of Quraysh for three years. Za’ah is a man who is very old, he just came home because he was unable to complete the series of hajasik.

If you meet Zam’ah, he said greetings ala Arab tradition. Because Zam’ah is not a Muslim. Zam’ah berkatan, “Who is it?”

“You are bint Hakim”, he replied.

“I was sent by Muhammad bin Abdullah to wave Saudah for him.”, Khaulah replied.

“People who are all together in glory. What's your friend answering? (meaning Saudah)”, asked Zam’ah.

“He is happy with this.”, he replied.

“Call him to meet me”, pinta Zam’ah. Khaulah called him.

Zam’ah said, “Hai my daughter. It is an honor, Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib sent someone to propose to you. He is in glory. Do you want me to marry you to her?”

“Iya”, Saudah replied.

“Call him here”, pinta Zam’ah.

Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also came. And Zam’ah married his daughter to the Prophet.

Not long after, came Saudah brother, Abd bin Zam’ah who just finished performing the Hajj. Seeing that his sister had been married to the Prophet, he sowed dust on his head as a sign of regret. Later on, after he converted to Islam, he said, “For your age (subject to the Prophet), I was very stupid when I sprinkled dust on my head because the Prophet married Saudah bint Zam’ah.” (Cathir's Ibn: as-Sirah an-Nabawiyah) 2/142-143).

The Nabawi Household

Ummul Mukminin Saudah became the prophet's first wife after Khadijah's death. Some say that he was 55 years old. The Prophet himself was only fifty years old. When the Meccans heard the news of this marriage, they were astonished. Because Saudah is not a beautiful and domineering woman. And not a woman who can be invited to have fun (because it is old pen.).

They believe it was done by Muhammad bin Abdullah to help him, help him, and keep his Islam. Especially after her husband died from Habashah. They believe that this marriage is a social purpose. Thus, the Prophet's marriage to Saudah is a rebuttal to those who accuse the Prophet of heinous accusation. If true what they say, of course he will choose a young girl after the death of his wife.

Glory Saudah

Ummul Mukminin Saudah bint Zam’ah has many noble characters. She is a woman who gives and gives easily. Umar bin al-Khattab once gave him a container filled with Dirhams. Saudah said, “What is this?” “It's a number of Dirham”, people replied. “At a date container?” his comment. He then distributed the money to the poor.

Ummul Mukminin Aisyah loved it. Because he willingly gave the night ration of the Prophet in his house, given to Aisha. Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim:

“When Saudah was old, he gave the Prophet's stay at his house, to Aisha. He said, ‘O Prophet, I give the day my turn with you to Aisyah’. So the Prophet gave the ration of two days to Aisha. Day of turn and day Saudah.” (HR. al-Bukhari in Kitab an-Nikah 4914 and Muslim in Kitab ar-Ridha’ 1463).

Aisyah radhiallahu ‘anha says,

“There is no woman that I like the most so that I have a nature like her more than Saudah bint Zam’ah when she was dusk.” (The History of Muslims in the Book of ar-Ridha’ 1463).

Died

Ummul Mukminin Saudah bint Zam’ah radhiallahu ‘anha died at the end of the reign of Umar bin al-Khattab. Some say he died in 54 AH (Ibn Hajar: al-Ishabah fi Tamyiz ash-Shahabah, 7/721).