Marriage of Juwairiyah bint Hārith(ra)

Among the prisoners taken captive belonging to the Banū Muṣṭaliq, was Barrah, the daughter of Hārith bin Abī Darrār, the chief of this tribe. She was married to Musāfi‘ bin Ṣafwān, who died in the Ghazwah of Muraisī‘.1 According to custom, these prisoners were divided amongst the Muslim warriors, and as per this division, Barrah bint Hārith was given in to the guardianship of Thābit bin Qais(ra).2 In order to secure her freedom, she settled an agreement of Mukātabat with Thābit bin Qais(ra) that if she paid such and such amount as a ransom, she would be set free. After this agreement, Barrah presented herself before the Holy Prophet(sa) and related the entire account. She told the Holy Prophet(sa) that she was the daughter of the chief of Banū Muṣṭaliq, and requested assistance from the Holy Prophet(sa) in order to pay the value of the ransom. The Holy Prophet(sa) was deeply touched by her story. Perhaps with the thought that as she was the daughter of a chieftain of a renowned tribe, and through a relationship with her, preaching would become easier in this tribe, the Holy Prophet(sa) intended to free her and marry her. As such, the Holy Prophet(sa) sent a proposal himself and upon her agreement, he paid the value of her ransom and married her.3 When the Companions noticed that their Master had endowed the honour of marriage to the daughter of the chief of Banū Muṣṭaliq, they considered it disrespectful to the Holy Prophet(sa) to keep his spousal relatives as prisoners. In this manner, a hundred households, i.e., hundreds of captives were immediately released without ransom at once. It is for this reason that Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah(ra) would say that Juwairiyah (the Holy Prophet(sa) changed her name from Barrah to Juwairiyah) proved to be immensely blessed for her people.4 As a result of this relation, and benevolent treatment, the people of Banū Muṣṭaliq were very quickly influenced by the doctrine of Islām, and entered into his circle of followers.

The wisdom in changing the name Barrah was that the name ‘Barrah’ means ‘piety,’ and the Holy Prophet(sa) did not like that if it so happened that Barrah was not at home, and someone came to inquire as to whether Barrah was at home or not, such a person should receive the answer that Barrah was not at home. At the outset, the inference of such an answer would be that piety and blessings had ceased to exist in the home of the Holy Prophet(sa).5 This is a very minor point, but sheds great light on the degree of love, which the Holy Prophet(sa) held in his heart for piety and purity.

Another narration which is related with regards to the marriage of Ḥaḍrat Juwairiyah(ra) is that when her father presented himself before the Holy Prophet(sa) to seek her release, he became a Muslim due to the Grace of the company of the Holy Prophet(sa). Then, upon receiving a proposal from the Holy Prophet(sa), he gladly and happily married his daughter off to the Holy Prophet(sa) himself.6 In another narration it is related that Hārith, the father of Juwairiyah presented himself before the Holy Prophet(sa) and said, “I am the chief of my people, my daughter cannot be kept in captivity this way.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Juwairiyah should be asked that if she wishes to be set free and return, we are prepared to release her. However, if she wishes to remain with us, she is most welcome.” When this was inquired of Juwairiyah, she decided to become a Muslim and remain in the company of the Holy Prophet(sa), upon which the Holy Prophet(sa) released her and married her.7