Juwayriya bint al-Harith

Juwayriyya bint al-Harith
Born	608
Died	April, 670 (aged 62)
Resting place	Al-Baqi' cemetery, Medina, Hejaz, now Medina, Saudi Arabia

Juwayriyya bint al-Harith (Arabic: جويرية بنت الحارث‎, translit. Juwayriyya bint al-Ḥārith‎; born c. 608) was a wife of Muhammad and a Mother of the Believers. She married the Islamic prophet Muhammad when he was 58 years old and she was 20, thus placing the marriage in 627/8.

She was the daughter of al-Hārith ibn Abi Dirar, the chief of Banu Mustaliq, who was defeated with his tribe in a battle.

Two months after Muḥammad returned from the Expedition of Dhū Qarad, he began to hear rumours that the Banū al-Muṣṭaliq were preparing to attack him, so he sent a spy, Buraydah ibn Al-Ḥasīb Al-Aslamī, to confirm this. The Banū al-Muṣṭaliq also believed that Muḥammad was preparing to attack them. So they in turn sent a spy reconnoiter to explore the positions of the Muslims, but he was captured and killed by them.

The two armies were stationed at a well called Al-Muraysī', near the sea, a short distance from Mecca. They fought with bows and arrows for an hour, and then the Muslims advanced rapidly, they surrounded the al-Muṣṭaliq and took the entire tribe as prisoners, with their families, herds and flock. The battle ended in full victory for the Muslims. Two hundred families were taken as captives, two hundred camels, five thousand sheep, goats, as well as a huge quantity of household goods which were captured as booty. The household goods were sold in an auction to the highest bidder.

The Mustaliq lost a total of ten men. Only one Muslim was killed by mistake by a Helper. Juwayrīyah bint al-Ḥārith, daughter of the Banū al-Muṣṭaliq chief was one of the captives.

After minimal casualties, the Muslim forces were victorious. Among the many captives was Juwayriya, whose husband, Mustafa bin Safwan, had been killed in the battle. She initially fell among Muhammad's companion Thabit b. Qays b. Al-Shammas. Troubled by this, Juwayriya sought a deed of redemption from Muhammad. Muhammad proposed to marry her and, as a result, freed her from the bondage of Thabit b. Qais and consequently ameliorated the condition of her captured tribe.

From Muhammad 'Ali Qutb's book, Women Around the Messenger: "The mother of the faithful 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) speaks about that day: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took the women of Banu al-Mustaliq as captives. He took out the one fifth of them and divided the remaining ones among his Companions giving the cavalry soldier two shares and the infantry soldier a share. Juwayriyah (may Allah be pleased with her) fell into the share of Thabit ibn Qays al-Ansari. She was formerly married to a cousin of hers known as Mani' ibn Safwan ibn Malik ibn Judhaymah, who is also known as Dhu ash- Shafrah. She was bereaved of him. She then agreed with Thabit ibn Qays to buy her freedom with nine Ooqiyah."

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