Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) was very beautiful. Hazrat ‘A’ishah (ra) described her as someone who possessed sweet speech, graceful physical features, charm and beauty. She fascinated everyone who saw her.1
When the Holy Prophet (sas) married this brave and intelligent girl belonging to the Banu Mustalaq, all the members of that tribe became his kinsmen. Because of this the Muslims felt it was not right for them to keep the kinsmen of the Holy Prophet (sas) as prisoners. Thus, all the people who were made prisoners during the battle of Muraisi‘ were freed, without any ransom. When all these prisoners returned to their homes, every household started talking about the Founder of Islam (sas) and his teachings, and many people began accepting Islam.
The incident that led the family of Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) to accept Islam is an interesting one. When her father found out that his beloved daughter was among the prisoners of war, he set out towards Madinah. He took with him some belongings that included camels, in order to pay the ransom and free his daughter. During the journey he felt unwilling to give up two of his prized camels. So, he hid those two camels in the valley of ‘Aqiq. When he finally met the Holy Prophet (sas) he said:
“O Muhammad (sas), you have brought my daughter here. This is her ransom.”
The Holy Prophet (sas) responded:
“Where are the two camels that you have hidden in the valley of ‘Aqiq?”
Allah the Almighty had shown this entire incident to the Holy Prophet (sas) in a vision. Harith was dumbfounded when he heard this, and he realized that this man could not be a liar. He recited the Kalimah openly and became a Muslim. His two sons, ‘Abdullah and ‘Amr, also became Muslims.2 The Holy Prophet (sas) summoned Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra). Harith said to the HolyProphet (sas) that I am the chief of my tribe and my daughter cannot live like a prisoner. However, when he learned that she was not going to be a prisoner, but rather the wife of Holy Prophet (sas), he became very happy. The Holy Prophet (sas) left it up to Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) to choose where she wanted to live.
Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) responded, “I would like to live with the Holy Prophet (sas).”3
Do you see what a great change came into the life of Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra)? She was the daughter of an enemy of Islam, and the wife of another enemy of Islam. Her father was defeated; her husband was killed; and she was widowed. She wasmadeaprisoner.Yet as soon as she came into contact with the Holy Prophet (sas), she received the gift of Islam, which led to the freedom of so many prisoners. Her father and brothers became Muslims as well. Hence, blessings were showered upon them with this marriage.
Hazrat ‘A’ishah (ra) says, “I have never seen a woman prove to be so blessed for her people as Juwairiyah. Because of her, many families of the Banu Mustalaq were made free.”4
While remembering the days of her wedding, Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) relates, “I saw a dream three nights before the arrival of the Holy Prophet (sas) that the moon, travelling from Yathrib (Madinah), has fallen into my lap. I did not wish to tell anyone about this dream. When I was captured, I hoped for the fulfilment of this dream. Then, the Holy Prophet (sas) granted me freedom and married me. I was twenty-years-old at that time.”
1 Usdul-Ghabati Fi Ma‘rifatis-Sahabati, ‘Izzud-Din Ibnul-Athir, Volume 6, pp. 58-59, Juwairiyatu bintul-Harith, Published by Darul-Fikr, Beirut (2003)
2 As-Siratun-Nabawiyyah, Muhammad bin Hisham, Volume 3, Qatla Bani Mustalaq, pp. 168- 169, Published by Darul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut (2000)
3 Siyarus-Sahabah, Volume 6 (Siyarus-Sahabiyat), p. 79, Published by Idarah Islamiyat, Lahore
4 Usdul-Ghabah Fi Ma‘rifatis-Sahabah, ‘Izzud-Din Ibnul-Athir, Volume 6, p. 59, Juwairiyatu bintul-Harith, Published by Darul-Fikr, Beirut (2003)