Juwayriyah (or Jarirah) was the daughter of al-Harith Ibn Abi Dirar al-Khuza'i al-Mustalaqi (the leader of the al-Mustalaq tribe), and the wife of Musafi' Ibn Safwan al-Mustalaqi (her cousin). Al-Harith was killed on the war of Muraysi'1 and Juwayriyah was taken prisoner of war by the army of the Holy Prophet (S).

Her name was originally Barrah, and the Prophet (S) changed it to Juwayriyah. Ibn Sa'd has reported this.2 When they divided up the prisoners of war Juwayriyah was given to Thabit Ibn Qays Ibn Shamas, the cousin of Thabit. Juwayriyah complained to the Messenger of God (S) and asked for his help. He freed her and then married her when she was twenty years old. The report of Juwayriyah being kept away from the war, being captured, and marrying the Messenger of God (S) has been reported by Ibn Sa'd, Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, and Ibn al-Athir.3

Two reports have been given as to the death of Juwayriyah, the wife of the Prophet (S). One is that she passed away in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal in the year 56 A.H. in al-Madinah during the reign of Mu'awiyah, and Marwan led the ritual Deceased Prayer over her.4 The other report says that she passed away when she was 65 years old in the year 50 A.H., and was buried in Baqi' cemetery.5

Her Merits

Juwayriyah was one of the wives of the Prophet (S). Ibn Sa'd quotes from Abu­Qulabah as saying, "The Prophet (S) took Juwayriyah as prisoner of war.

Her father came to him and said, 'None of the prisoners of war are like my daughter, and I am greater and more important than this (that you should take her as prisoner of war), so free her.'

The Prophet (S) asked him, 'Isn't it better that we let her be free in her choice?'

He replied, 'Yes. You have done what was on your shoulders (your duty).'

So, they went to his daughter and he said, 'This man has left you free in your choice. Keep our dignity.'

Juwayriyah responded, 'I have chosen the Messenger of God (S).'

Her father said, 'By God, you have ruined our dignity.'"6

This tradition shows that Juwayriyah chose the Prophet (S) and Islam based on knowledge. And, her faith was so strong that she chose the Messenger of God (S) above all else. Ibn al-Athir and Ibn Sa'd relate a tradition about Juwayriyah which show her many acts of worship and her learning a rosary from the Messenger of God (S).7

Ibn Sa'd also relates from 'Abd al-Rahman al-A'raj relying on his sources that the Prophet (S) gave 80 wasaq8 of dates and 20 wasaq of barley or wheat to Juwayriyah during the Battle of Khaybar.9 Therefore, Juwayriyah was present during the Battle of Khaybar.

Juwayriyah was a beautiful woman and 'A'ishah has said about her, "Juwayriyah was cute and likeable. Anyone who saw her liked her."

People said, "The Prophet (S) became family with the tribe of al-Mustalaq. Therefore, he returned their prisoners of war and the spoils taken in battle from them." 'A'ishah said, "There is no woman who brought as many blessings to her tribe as she (Juwayriyah) did."10

Shaykh al-Tusi, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, and Mamqani have listed her among the companions of the Messenger of God (S).11

Al-Zarkali has written, "She was one of the most eloquent women of her time."12

Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others have related eight traditions from her.13

'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, Abu Ayyub al­Muraghi, 'Ubayd Ibn Sabbaq, Mujahid Ibn Jabr, Kurayb the manumitted slave of Ibn 'Abbas, Kulthum Ibn al-Mustalaq, and 'Abdullah Ibn Shaddad Ibn Had have related traditions from her.

Ibn Sa'd and al-Tabarani relying on their sources have quoted from Mujahid and others from Juwayriyah that she said, "O Messenger of God (S) your other wives boast in front of me and say that the Prophet (S) didn't marry you." He told her, "Didn't I put a large dowry for you? Didn't I free 40 people from your tribe?"'14

Al-Tabarani relying on his sources quotes from several people from Ibn 'Abbas from Juwayriyah that she said, "The Messenger of God (S) passed by Juwayriyah after having prayed the Fajr Prayer or some other prayer. (He saw) Juwayriyah was saying God's names. The day passed and she was still busy saying His names. The Messenger of God (S) said, 'I have told you if you say the four words it is better than what you are saying. (These words are) Glory be to Allah as many as the number of His creatures. Glory be to Allah as much as it satisfies Him. Glory be to Allah as weighty as His Throne. Glory be to Allah as much as the ink of His Words."'15

Al-Tabarani relying on his sources has related six traditions from 'Ubayd Ibn Sabbaq from Juwayriyah from different people that she said, "The Messenger of God (S) came to me and asked, 'Do we have any food?'

Juwayriyah said, 'No, I swear to God we have nothing but a lamb shoulder which has been given to my servant in charity.'

He said, 'Bring it for it has come in truth."'

Al­Tabarani has also related other traditions from Juwayriyah from different sources.16 However, they aren't given here because of their length. The al-Sihah al-Sittah have also related traditions from her.17

• 1. Muraysi' is the name of a well over which the tribe of Khuza'ah fought with the Messenger of God (S) on the second of the month of Sha'ban in the year 5 A.H. (Taj al­'Arus, vol. 5, p. 354).
• 2. 'Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 120; Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 146.
• 3. Al- Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 118 and 119; Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1805; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 420.
• 4. Al- Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 120; al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1805; al-Mu'jam al-Kabir vol. 24, p. 59; Al-A'lam by al-Zarkali, vol. 2, p. 148.
• 5. Al- Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 120; Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 146.
• 6. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 118; Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 408 (Ibn Hajar has said that this tradition is authentic).
• 7. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 119; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 421.
• 8. 'Wasaq is a measurement equivalent to 320 rutil. A rutil is 84 mithqal (miskal), and a mithqal is about 5 grams. (Taj al-'Arus, vol. 5, p. 354).
• 9. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 119.
• 10. Al-Isti'ab, vol. 4, p. 1804.
• 11. Rijal al-Tusi, p. 32; al-Jami 'fi'l-'Ilal wa-Ma'rifat al-Rijal; p. 244; Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 74.
• 12. Al-A'lam by al-Zarkali, vol. 2, p. 148.
• 13. Al-A'lam by al-Zarkali, vol. 2, p. 148.
• 14. Al-'Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 117; al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, p. 59.
• 15. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, p. 59.
• 16. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, pp. 61 - 66.
• 17. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p.407.