Halimah was the daughter of Abu Dhu'ayb, also known as 'Abdullah Ibn al­Harith Ibn Shajnah from the tribe of Mudar of Banu-Sa'd Ibn Bakr. She married al-Harith Ibn 'Abd al-'Uzza Ibn 'Aylan Ibn Mudar. She was the wet nurse of the Messenger of God (S); and, she nursed him for a complete period. She witnessed greatness, signs, and great knowledge in him. 'Abdullah Ibn al­Harith, Anisah Bint al-Harith, Judhamah (al-Shayma') Bint al-Harith, were the foster brother and foster sisters of the Prophet (S).

Before Halimah, Thubiyyah nursed the Prophet (S) for a time from the milk from her son, Masruh. She also fed Hamzah Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib and Abu­Salamah al-Makhzumi.1 That is why Hamzah and Abu Salamah are foster brothers of the Holy Prophet (S).

Her Merits

Halimah al-Sa'diyyah came to Makkah with other women from the tribe of Banu-Sa'd Ibn Bakr because of their extreme poverty. They wanted to nurse the children in order to find a way out of their poverty and destitution. This was even though Halimah didn't even have a drop of milk; and, her own child had cried the entire night from hunger.

They showed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) who was an infant, to her and said, "He is an orphan."

The husband of Halimah said, "An orphan has no money." So, he did not accept him; and, the group prepared to return.

Halimah said, "I will accept that orphan."

They told her, "Don't do such a thing."

She said, "Maybe God will send blessings upon us because of him."

Halimah says, "I took the child and returned to the group. I put him in my lap. All of a sudden, my breasts filled with milk in such a way that both Muhammad (S) and my child drank. After that my child slept calmly. My husband went towards our goat. He looked at it. It also was filled with milk. He milked it; and, my husband and I both drank our fill and passed a good night. In this way our cattle thrived from this blessing and our dry lands changed into green fields. We realized that this child has a great position. Goodness and many blessings came upon us from God.

After the period of nursing, Halimah came to return the infant to Aminah even though she had become attached to him. And, the many blessings which had come to them because of him had made them adore him. Therefore, Muhammad (S) returned to stay with them until he was five years old.2

When Muhammad (S) wanted to go out with Halimah's children, she instructed them, "I charge you to take care of my prince and leader. Whenever he becomes hungry, feed him. Whenever he becomes thirsty, give him to drink. And, whenever he becomes tired, rest.3

The Messenger of God (S) respected Halimah. It is related from 'Ata Ibn Yasar that whenever Halimah came to the Messenger of God (S), he would stand up for her and put his cloak on the ground for her to sit on.4

She related traditions from the Messenger of God (S); and, 'Abdullah Ibn Ja'far5 related traditions from her.

Halimah said, "Whenever I prepared to give Muhammad (S) milk, I heard the sound of a melody for him. He never suckled unless I heard him saying something first. I was surprised at this until he became big enough to talk. Then I heard him say before drinking, 'In the Name of God, the Lord of Muhammad'. After finishing he would say, 'All praise to God, the Lord of Muhammad'."6

Halimah always took good care of Muhammad (S); and, she was never neglectful of him. When nursing him she would say, "O my child, I swear to the Lord of the heavens that you are dearer to me than my children."7

Halimah said, "When I washed Muhammad 's (S) clothes the only things I smelled were musk, ambergris, and camphor; even from his urine.8

• 1. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 1, p. 108; Tarikh al-Tabari, vol. 1, p. 396; al-Isabah, vol. 8 p. 60, Kitab al-Nisa'.
• 2. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 337.
• 3. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 349.
• 4. Al-Isabah, vol. 8, p. 87.
• 5. Al-Isabah, vol. 8, p. 87; A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 1, p. 290.
• 6. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 341.
• 7. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 346.
• 8. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 347.