Sawda bint Zam’a: Faith and fortitude in the Prophet’s household
Sawda bint Zam’a, honoured in Islamic tradition as “Umm-ul-Mu’mineen” (Mother of the Believers), was the second wife of the Prophet Muhammad.
Born and raised in Makkah in the pre-Islamic era, Sawda belonged to a respected lineage. Her father, Zam’ah ibn Qays, hailed from the Banu Amir ibn Lu’ayy clan of the Quraysh tribe.
Her mother, Al-Shumus bint Qays, traced her roots to the Najjar clan of the Khazraj tribe in Madinah. While historical sources vary on her precise age—placing her birth between 556 and 580 CE—there is consensus that she was mature in years by the time of her marriage to the Prophet, with accounts ranging from around 40 to 50 years old.
First marriage and migration
Sawda was first married to As-Sakran ibn Amr, an early and dedicated convert to Islam. Together they had five children, including two sons who would later fall as martyrs in the Battle of Jalula in 637 against the Sassanid Empire.
In a defining act of faith, the couple joined the first migration (Hijra) to Abyssinia, fleeing the persecution of the Quraysh in Makkah. Sawda holds the distinction of being among the very first women to undertake this migration in the path of Allah. After several years, they returned to Makkah, where As-Sakran passed away, leaving Sawda a widow.
Marriage to the Prophet Muhammad
Following the passing of the Prophet’s first wife, Khadijah, Sawda became his second wife in the month of Ramadhan during the tenth year of prophethood. Initially hesitant due to her responsibilities as a mother, she was reassured by the Prophet’s words, which praised the virtuous and affectionate nature of Qurayshi women. Their marriage was one of mutual care and stability.
As Sawda grew older, a tender episode unfolded that highlighted her dedication and the Prophet’s compassion.
Concerned about her advancing age, she offered to relinquish her marital night in favor of the younger Aisha, wishing only to remain among his wives and be resurrected with them on the Day of Judgment. This profound act of selflessness is often associated with the revelation of Qur’an 4:128-129, which addressed marital adjustments with grace and fairness. Many scholars interpret this as a reflection not of repudiation, but of a loving compromise to honour her wish to stay as his wife in full status.
Later life, character, and passing
After the passing of the Prophet, Sawda lived a life marked by piety and charity, using the annual stipend she received from the Caliphate to aid those in need. She maintained a particularly close bond with Aisha, Hafsa, and Safiyya, the Mothers of the Believers.
Sawda lived to an advanced age, passing away in Madinah—most accounts place her death in 54 AH (674 CE)—where she was laid to rest in the revered Jannat al-Baqi cemetery.
Following her death, Muawiyah I purchased her house in Madinah. Sawda is remembered for her unwavering faith, her dignified role in the Prophet’s household, and her enduring legacy as a compassionate and devoted Mother of the Believers.
