Saudah (r.a.) - wife of Rasulullah (saw)

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) and Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) in the same year, when Hadhrat Khadija (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away. There is a difference of opinion in the kitaabs of history regarding who he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married first. However, Haafiz Ibn Katheer (rahmatullahi alaihi) states in ‘Bidaya’, from Imaam Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihi) that Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) said the following regarding Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha): “She was the first person to whom Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) got married to after me.” This incident of how Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) proposed to both these ladies has already passed in the chapter of Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha). Hadhrat Khaulah binti Hakeem (radhiAllaahu anha) had a great share in this proposal (for details look under Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) - Nikah). After Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha)’s father consented, he called for Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and performed the Nikah. The brother of Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha), Abd bin Zam`a, who was then a Kaafir, came home and when he heard of the Nikah, threw sand on his head and said: “What a punishment this is.” Later on in his life, he accepted Islaam and he felt extremely remorseful at the silly act of his when he heard of his sister’s Nikah to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) was now in charge of looking after the household of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) after the demise of Hadhrat Khadija (radhiAllaahu anha). Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha)’s father’s name was Zam`a, and her mother’s name was Shamoos. Her first marriage was to her cousin, Hadhrat Sakraan bin Amar (radhiAllaahu anhu). Both, husband and wife were from amongst the first to accept Islaam. These two were also amongst those who made Hijrat to Abyssinia. After their return to Macca Muazzama, Hadhrat Sakraan (radhiAllaahu anhu) passed away. Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) was now widowed. Thereafter Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married her. From her first husband she had a son, by the name of Abdur Rahman, who was martyred in the battle with the Persians. HIJRAT Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) stayed in Macca Muazzama for three years after his Nikah to Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha). Then he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made Hijrat to Madinah Tayyibah with Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radhiAllaahu anhu). They left their families in Macca Muazzama. When they reached Madinah, they sent for their families, who joined them later. HEIGHT AND STATURE Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) was tall, and on the plump side. She was with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) on the occasion of Hajjatul Wida. Because she was overweight, she was permitted to leave from Muzdalifah before all the other people, so that the crowd did not hamper her. HER IBAADAT AND SUBSERVIENCE TO NABI (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) Haafiz Ibn Katheer (rahmatullahi alaihi) writes in ‘Bidaya’ regarding Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha): “She was one who performed excessive Ibaadat, and she excelled in Taqwa (piety) and Zuhd (abstinence).” On the occasion of Hajjatul Wida, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to his wives, that they should remain indoors after his demise. Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) observe this order of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) so strictly, that she never went for another Hajj thereafter. She used to say: “I have performed Hajj and Umrah, so now I will remain at home, in conformity with the order of Allaah Ta`ala.” Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) says: “Besides Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha), I never desired to be in anyone’s skin. The only thing with her was that she was ‘sharp’ by nature, which showed quickly in her features, and it would disappear also very quickly.” HER WIT Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) was also very witty. She made Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) smile many a times. Once she told Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam): “Last night I read Nafl Salaat behind you. You performed such a lengthy Ruku, that I feared my nose would start bleeding, so I started holding my nose.” When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) heard this he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) started laughing (lightly). GENEROSITY Allaah Ta`ala had also blessed Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) with the quality of generosity. Once, Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) sent her a bag with a considerable sum of money. She asked the bearer: “What is in the bag?” he replied: “Dirhams.” She said: “Dirhams, filled in a bag like dates.” Saying this she distributed the entire contents (amongst the poor. THE DESIRE OF THE WIVES ON NABI (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) TO BE RESURRECTED WITH HIM Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) was elderly. She feared that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would divorce her (it is related in Tirmidhi Shareef that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was intending to divorce her, in another narration it is reported that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had already divorced her and thereafter he took her back) so she made the following request to him (sallallahu alaihi wasallam): “Oh Rasulullaah, I do not have the desire for husband (sexual urge). I wish that you would still keep in your nikah, but I give my turn over to Aisha. I desire that I be amongst your wives on the day of Qiyaamah. Nabi 9sallallahu alaihi wasallam) accepted her plea and the following Aayat was revealed: “And if a woman fears cruelty or desertion on her husband’s part, there is no sin on them both if they make terms of peace between themselves; and making peace is better.” It is reported in ‘Majma`us Zawaa`id’ that Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) said to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam): “I wish to be amongst your wives on the day of Qiyaamah, so that I also receive the reward that they receive.” Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) gave her turn over to Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha), with the result that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) spent one night at each of the other wives and two nights with Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha). REVELATION OF HIJAAB Hadhrat Umar Farooq (radhiAllaahu anhu) desired very much that the order for Purdah (concealment) be revealed for women. He desired this especially for the wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). However, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not implement it without Wahi. His (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s wives used to go out at night, just like the other women, to relieve themselves. One night as Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) was on her way to relieve herself, Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) was also on the road, and he recognised her as she was tall and big. Although she was properly covered in her clothing, she was still recognisable, due to her stature. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) said: “Oh Saudah, we have recognised you!” He said this in the hope that the order for Purdah would be revealed. Thereafter, Allaah Ta`ala revealed the Aayat of Purdah. This narration is reported in Bukhari Shareef, under the chapter of Wudhu. Under the chapter of Tafseer, it is reported from Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) that Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) was on her way to relieve herself, after the Aayats of Purdah were revealed. Due to her unusual stature, she was still recognisable, although she was properly dressed. On the way she came across Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) who said to her: “Oh Saudah, I take an oath in Allaah Ta`ala’s name, (even though you are properly concealed) we can still recognise you. Consider now, how is it that you can still come out of the house?” When she heard this she returned. She came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) , who was in the home of Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha). Here she related the entire incident of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu). Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was having supper, and at that time he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had a bone with a piece of meat in his hand, which he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was eating. At that moment Allaah Ta`ala sent Wahi. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) that she has permission from Allaah Ta`ala that she may go to relieve herself. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) still had the meat in his hand when the Wahi was revealed. When we study these Ahadith, we note that the object of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) was that the pure wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) not go out into the desert in order to relieve themselves. However, since this was a necessity, Allaah Ta`ala consented to it. This was during that time when the ‘toilets’ were not yet built near the homes. DEMISE The author of ‘Isti`aab’ writes that the demise of Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) occurred during the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu). The following is reported in ‘Al Isaaba’ from Ibn Abi Khaisama: “It is also reported that she (Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha)) passed away in the year 54 A.H. and Waaqidi has accepted this view.” Haafiz Ibn Katheer (rahmatullahi alaihi) has also accepted the view of Ibn Jozi and recorded the demise of Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha) to be in the year 54 A.H. At The end he also notes the view of Ibn Khaisama: “She passed away at the end of the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu). And Allaah Ta`ala knows best.”