Safiyya bint Huyayy (ra), Mother of the Believers
𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒂𝒓, 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒊𝒚𝒚𝒂(𝒓𝒂), 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒍(𝒓𝒂). Seeing their family among the fallen, the cousin covered herself in dust, weeping whilst Safiyya was mute from shock. Brought before Prophetﷺ, he didn’t approve of Bilal(ra) unwittingly bringing the women to him like so saying: “O, Bilal, has the mercy been torn from your heart?” [Ibn Sa’d]
For indeed the Prophet of mercyﷺ stood for all that was good, eager for the welfare of others – women no less. The Prophetﷺ freed Safiyya(ra) offering marriage. He had noticed a green mark near her eyes and asked, “What is this?”
She said “I had a dream in which I saw the moon come from Yathrib and fall into my room. I mentioned it to my husband Kinana (who died in the battle) and he said; ‘You want to be married to this king that comes from Medina?’ He struck my face.” [Ibn Sa’d]
Unlike before, Safiyya(ra) received nothing but kindness from her new husband, the Prophetﷺ. Leaving Khaybar, the Prophetﷺ made a cushion out of his cloak and placed it upon his camel. Kneeling, he presented his thigh for Safiyya(ra) to place her foot upon to mount the camel. Honouring him as she did, she refused placing her knee instead. Shielding her with his cloak they rode and on approaching Medina the caravan sped up. The Prophet’sﷺ camel stumbled and he and Safiyya(ra) fell off. Abu Talha(ra) rushed forward saying “Oh Prophet of Allah, are you hurt at all?” Heﷺ said, “No. See to the lady!”[Ibn Sa’d]
The chivalrous manner of the Prophetﷺ is a model for men to follow. Unsurprisingly, it won Safiyya’s heart and loyalty for life. Concerned for the Prophet’sﷺ safety, she had married him earlier in as-Sahba. Heﷺ spoke much to her that evening, mindful she’d lost kinsmen in the battle. The next day, Umm Sulaim(ra) found Safiyya(ra) happy and about the wedding feast, Sahl ibn Sa’d(ra) said; “On that day I saw Safiyyah giving people nabidh to drink.” [Ibid]
Children are born of pure fitra but the environment, ie society, un-Islamic cultural practices, lack of moral upbringing, abuse or bad examples sadly set, sees some boys grow up viewing women with a skewed perspective. From childhood sons should be taught the Prophet’sﷺ way and by example to respect and honour women; like their mothers, sisters and aunts so they’ll later go on to do what’s right by their wives and daughters.
𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of 𝗦.𝗡.𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗶 ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, Islamic chapter books for kids📚)
𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 📚
