Safiyah Bint Abdul Muttalib

Safiyah (R.A.A.), the daughter of Abdul Muttalib, was an honorable companion of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). Her mother, Hala was the daughter of Waheeb and cousin of the Holy Prophet's (S.A.W.) revered mother Amina. In consanguinity, Safiyah (R.A.A.) was cousin as well as aunt of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), Hamza (R.A.A.) was her real brother.

Safiyah (R.A.A.) married Haris bin Harb Umavi and a son was born out of this wedlock, Haris died after some time. Thereafter she married Awwam bin Khuwailid Qarshi Al-Asadi who was a brother of Khadija Kubra (R.A.A.) A son was born to them who was named Zubair, Awwam also died when Zubair was very young, She did not marry thereafter though young, and remained widow for the rest of her life.

Safiyah (R.A.A.) brought up her son Zubair in a very disciplined manner. Her aim was to make him a brave and fearless soldier, very often she subjected him to hard work and sometimes beat him also, Once his uncle Naufil could not bear and asked her angrily, "Do you want tobeat him to death'!" He also requested the other members of the tribe to prevent her from beating the boy.

Then Safiyah (R.A.A.) realized that the people had come to know of the fact that she beats her son, expressed her feeling and explained, "Whoever thinks that I beat Zubair with ill intention, he is mistaken. I beat him so that he may become wise and brave and defeat the army of the enemies and capture booty."

Hafiz Ibn Hajar 'Aqalani in his book, "Isabah" relates that once Zubair (R.A.A.) had to fight, while he was still very young, with a very strong man. He broke his hand The people complained to Safiyah (R.A.A,), She replied, "How did you find Zubair, brave or coward?" Thus her training made her son very brave and courageous.

When Almighty Allah chose Muhammad (S.A.W.) as his Prophet, he started preaching Islam. In the very beginning Safiyah (R.A.A.) and her sixteen year old son Zubair (R.A.A.) embraced Islam and became true companions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), Safiyah (R.A.A.) was reckoned among those who were the fore-runners of the Islamic Movement , Zubair (R.A.A.) had great admiration and love for the Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.). When he was too young about 15 years old, he heard a rumor that enemies have either captured or martyred the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) he became restless, took out his sword and rushed towards the residence of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) where he found him safe and sound. lie felt relieved of his agony and his face became cheerful. When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) saw him with a naked sword in his hand, he (S.A.W.) asked him, "What's the matter, Zubair?" The latter replied; "0 Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.), may my parents be sacrificed upon you (S.A.W.). I heard a rumor that enemies of Islam have either captured or martyred you." The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) smiled and asked, "Had it been so, what would have you done?" He replied zealously," O Messenger of Allah! I would have fought with Makkans till death."

When the Prophet (S.A.W.) left Makkah for good, and migrated to Madina, Zubair was on a business tour of Syria While returning Zubair (R.A.A.) met the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.A.) on the way. He was very much pleased to see them and presented white dresses to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and Abu Bakr (R.A.A.) They put on these white clothes and went to Madina. Zubair (R.A.A.) bade them farewell and returned to Makkah,

After a few days in Makkah, Zubair (R.A.A.) along with his mother, Safiyah (R.A.A.) and his wife Asma' (R.A.A.), daughter of Abu Bakr (R.A.A.), migrated to Madina. On the way they stayed at Quba for sometime, where his wife gave birth to a son named Abdullah bin Zubair (R.A.A.). The birth of this grandson of Safiyah (R.A.A.) has a great significance in the history of Islam, I)because the Jews claimed they had prevented the birth of any male child to the Muslims by their magical power So the Muslims were overjoyed at the birth of Abdullah (R.A.A) and chanted, 'Allah is great' very loudly.

In Madina Safiyah (r.a.a.) lived with her son, Zubair (R.A.A.) and her daughter-in-law Asma' (R.A.A.) who looked after her very well.

Safiyah (R.A.A.) had to face separation of her beloved son, while she was in Makkah, because when they embraced Islam, the Makkans, including Naufil became their enemies and oppressed them. Hence, under the instructions from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), Zubair (R.A.A.) joined a caravan of the Muslims and migrated to Habasha (Ethiopia). After three months they heard that the Makkans had embraced Islam. Therefore, they decided to return to Makkah. However, when they approached Makkah they learnt that the news was totally false. They found themselves in trouble and had no alternative but to seek the shelter of some chiefs of Quraish.

Zubair (R.A.A.) took shelter of a Quraishi chief named Zam'aa bin al Aswad, Safiyah was pleased to sec her son again and thanked Allah for his safe return.

Safiyah (R.A.A.) was a very brave and courageous lady In 3.A.H. when some disturbance took place in the battle of Uhud, she came out with a spear and put to shame those Muslims who were running away from the battlefield, She angrily remarked, "Are you leaving the Holy Prophet?" In that angry mood she proceeded towards the battlefield.

Then the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) saw Safiyah (R.A.A.) coming towards the battlefield, he (S.A.W.) called Zubair (R.A.A.) and instructed him to take care of her so that she may not see the dead body of her brother Hamzah (R.A.A.).

Hamzah (R.A.A.) got martyrdom at the hands of Wahshi bin Harb. To avenge the death of her father, Utbah who was killed during the battle of Badr by Hamzah, Hind had dropped off the nose and ears of Hamzah's (R.A,A.) dead body, She had also removed the liver after cutting open his stomach and chewed it.

Zubair (R.A.A.) informed his mother of the decision of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). She at once understood the reason behind it. She said, "I know that my brother's dead body has been disfigured. It is unbearable for me, However, Allah willing, I shall have patience,"

When the Holy Prophet became confident, he (S.A.W.) allowed Safiyah (R.A.A.) to see the corpse of her brother, Her eyes were filled with tears. On seeing the dead body in a miserable state she recited, "Inna Lillahe wa Inna Ilayhe Raje'oon", and stood stunned. After a little while she prayed for the salvation of his brother and burst into tears again. Seeing her weeping bitterly, the Holy Prophet could not control himself and his eyes too were filled with tears.

While consoling her, he (S.A.W.) said, "I have been informed by Gabriel that in Heaven, Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib (R.A.A.) has been called the 'Lion of Allah' and the 'Lion of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)'."

Safiyah (R.A.A.) was also a poetess, She has written interesting and lucid poems. She has also composed heart touching elegies. When she saw the dead body of her brother, Hamzah (R.A.A.), she recited an elegy, a couplet of which is rendered here in English.

Today, you had seen day with dark sun through it was shining brilliantly before.

She also wrote an elegy in memory of her late father, Abdul Muttalib. The English version of the same is.

"At night a wailing woman made me cry, She was wailing at brave man; My tears came upon my cheeks like pearls I pity the death of this brave man who was not bad and his fame had spread everywhere. He hailed from a noble family and was very generous who helped people in famine Had there been a lasting life owing to his greatness But there is no way for lasting life otherwise that brave man would have lived longer owing to his nobility and gentle manliness.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and Safiyah (R.A.A.) loved each other very much because they were brought up together in the same house, Therefore, when the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) away from this world, in 11 A.H. she was deeply shocked. The English version of a few verses of the elegy composed on the occasion is:

"0 Messenger of Allah, thou wert our hope, Thou wert our benefactor and not ill-wisher Thou wert merciful, guide and teacher Today, every one must weep upon thy demise.

May I, my mother, uncle, aunt and maternal uncle and my wealth be sacrificed upon thee.

Alas! had Allah kept our master amongst us We would have been fortunate, But the commandment of Allah is final, May Allah bless thee and grant abode in Heaven.

Safiyah (R.A.A.) hailed from a noble family. She was respected by all She was a very brave and courageous lady. Her services to the cause of Islam and the Muslims can never be forgotten.

During the battle of Ahzab (Ditches) in 5 A.H., all infidels and Jews of Arabia had united and launched attack on the center of Islam – Madina. The rebellious Jews of Banu Quraizah were after the lives of the Muslims. It was a very critical time for the Muslims. But they lost no courage. They sacrificed their lives and wealth for the sake of Ash and were determined to fight against the enemies of Islam until death.

At this critical situation, it was essential to protect women and children from the evil designs of the enemies within and the Jews of Banu Quraizah. Therefore they were shifted to the Fort of Fara'a by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and Hassan bin Sabit was appointed as their guard.

Though the Fort was very strong, yet it was not free from danger. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) with all his companions was busy in defending Madina from the enemies of Islam. There was no barrier between this fort and the area of Banu Quraizah, One day a Jew happened to come this way, who tried to assess the situation in the fort. By chance, Safiyah (R.A.A.) noticed him and at once realized that he was a spy. And if he went back and informed the Jews of Banu Quraizah of the fact that there are only women and children in the fort, they might attack. Therefore, she asked the guard Hassan (R.A.A.) to kill that Jew. But he expressed his inability, perhaps owing to his physical or mental weakness caused by some disease that he had suffered from. It is also related that on this occasion he replied to her, "Had I been in a position to fight with this Jew, I would have accompanied the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) at this juncture,"

After receiving an unfavorable reply from Hassan (R.A.A.), that bold lady came forward, pulled out a pole of the tent and hit on the head of the Jew who fell and died on the spot. After killing that Jew she ordered Hassan (R.A.A.) to chop off his head, but again he showed his reluctance Finding no alternative, Safiyah (R.A A.) herself cut off his head and threw down the fort.

When the Jews of Banu Quraizah saw the head of their fellow, they concluded that a battalion of the Muslim army was present in the fort, Therefore, they had no courage to attack.

According to another report, the noble lady asked Hassan to remove the belongings from the dead body of the Jew hut he replied that he did not wish to have them.

Thus Safiyah (R.A.A.) thwarted the impending danger through her courage and valor and saved the Muslim women and children from the mischief of the Jews.

This noble Muslim lady passed away at the age of 73 years during the caliphate of Umar Farooq (R.A.A.) and was buried in the graveyard of Baqie She will be remembered in the Muslim Ummah until the Day of Judgment.

 

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