Marriage

The Holy Prophet (sas) and the Quraish made a treaty of peace at a place called Hudaibiyyah, which is known as the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah. This event is very important in the history of Islam because, with this treaty, a new era began in the life of the Holy Prophet (sas). Although this new era cannot be called a time of complete peace, as there were still some tribes in Arabia who were creating mischief against Islam, the Quraish made a vow to stop fighting against the Muslims. The tribe of the Quraish was considered the most highly respected tribe in Arabia as they were the guardians and caretakers of the Ka‘bah. Since they were the ones who had started the war against Islam, having a treaty of peace with the Quraish created a temporary peace in the whole country. As soon as this temporary peace began, the Holy Prophet (sas) sent letters to kings and nobles of different countries to spread the message of Islam. The distribution of these letters to the leaders of different countries immediately after the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah proves that the main goal of the Holy Prophet (sas) was to share the teachings of Islam with the world.

One of these letters was sent to the Roman Governor of Egypt, who was named Maqauqas. When Maqauqas received this letter inviting him to Islam, he responded by sending two girls to the Holy Prophet (sas). Hazrat Mariyah (ra) was one of the two girls. The Egyptians had an old tradition that whenever they received a respected guest with whom they wanted to strengthen their relationship, they would propose marriage to them with the girls of their family who belonged to the nobility.

Another well-known example of this tradition is that of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) [Abraham]. When Hazrat Ibrahim (as) went to Egypt, the king of Egypt offered him marriage with a girl from the nobility named Hazrat Hajirah (as) [Hager]. Hazrat Hajirah (as) later became the mother of Hazrat Isma‘il (as) [Ishmael].

When the girls that Maqauqas had sent arrived in Madinah, the Holy Prophetsa decided to marry Mariyah Qibtiyyah (ra) himself. The marriage of her sister Sirin (ra) was arranged with Arabia’s famous poet, Hassan bin Thabit (ra). This Mariyah (ra) is the same blessed woman who had the honour of giving birth to a son of the Holy Prophet sa, Hazrat Ibrahim (ra).1

The name of the father of Ummul-Mu’minin Hazrat Mariyah (ra) was Sham‘un, and her mother’s name was Rumi. Hazrat Mariyah (ra) was born in a town called Hafan. She was tall and had a fair complexion. She was very beautiful.2

‘Allamah Dhahabi (ra) has written in A‘lamun-Nisa’ that Hazrat Mariyah (ra) was the most learned and accomplished woman of her time.

When Governor Maqauqas sent Hazrat Mariyah Qibtiyyah (ra) and her sister Hazrat Sirin (ra) to the Holy Prophet (sas), he also sent along with them one thousand gold coins, twenty rolls of white fabric, and a mule named Duldul for the Holy Prophet (sas).3 The mule named Duldul was white. The Holy Prophet (sas) used to ride it often, and he rode it during the battle of Hunain.4

While Hazrat Mariyah Qibtiyyah (ra) and her sister Hazrat Sirin (ra) were on their way to Madinah, the missionary of Islam, Hazrat Hatib bin Abi Balta‘ah (ra) travelled with them. During the long journey, he taught the sisters about Islam and explained the teachings of Islam to them. Both sisters were very impressed by the message. Since they were pious to begin with, they developed a love for Islam in their hearts after hearing about it. Thus, both sisters accepted Islam during the journey at the hand of Hazrat Hatib (ra).5

After their marriage, the Holy Prophet (sas) temporarily housed Hazrat Mariyah Qibtiyyah (ra) in the house of Hazrat Harithah bin Nu‘man (ra) near the mosque. Then after a short while he took her to a place called ‘Aliyah, which later came to be known as Mashrabah Ibrahim (ra). One Egyptian servant was assigned to serve Hazrat Mariyah Qibtiyyah (ra). This servant used to bring her water and fuel.6

 

The Treaty Of Hudaibiyyah May Have Been Written On a Scroll Such as this one