Islamiat 63

Q1. Write a brief note on the life and services of Hazrat Jaweryah (r.a.)

Ans. Hazrat Juwairiyahra was the daughter of the famous chieftain of Banu Mustaliq, Haris bin Abi
Darrar. She was first married within her tribe to Musafi bin Safwan. Hazrat Aisha described her as
someone who possessed charm and beauty and she fascinated everyone who saw her. (Sunan Abi
Daud, Hadith 3931) Haris harbored animosity against Muslims and began colluding with other tribes
to wage war against Medina. When the Holy Prophets received intelligence of his preparations, he
set out with the army to confront Banu Mustaliq and reached Muraisi, a place close to the dwellings
of his adversaries. The enemies had planned a surprised attack on Medina; with the unexpected
arrival of the Muslim army, the tribes allied to Banu Mustaliq panicked and fled. However, the
seditious designs of Quraish had intoxicated Banu Mustaliq so deeply that they refused to lay down
arms and prepared to fight the Muslim army alone. The battle ended with the defeat of Banu
Mustaliq.

She was a captive taken from an expedition against Banu Mustaliq in 5 AH. She was Given to Sabit
Bin Qaisin as booty. She wanted to pay her ransom and be free. Prophet saw her nobility and agreed
to pay ransom and marry her. Likewise, all her tribe members were freed. Her father - a tribal chief -
also converted to Islam.

Among the prisoners of war was Hazrat Juwairiyahra, who was handed to Hazrat Sabitra bin Qais.
Hazrat Juwairiyahra entered into mukatabat with Hazrat Sabitra bin Qais, a practice in Islam which
allowed the freedom of the prisoner by paying a ransom to the caretaker. Since she did not have in
her possession the money to pay him and had heard of the generous and kind disposition of the Holy
Prophets, so she approached him for his assistance.

The marriage took place in the year 627. Upon hearing that Hazrat Juwairiyahra had come into the
matrimonial bond with the Prophets of Allah, Muslims released all their prisoners. It was owed to
the fact that Banu Mustaliq had now become the relatives of them Prophets and the companions
thought it unwise to keep the kin of their spiritual mother prisoners. Hazrat Aishara narrated that we
did not see any woman greater than Juwairiyahra who brought blessings to her people. One
hundred families of Banu Mustaliq were set free on account of her. (Sunan Abi Daud, Hadith 3931)

Later, Hazrat Juwairiyahra recalled that before the war, she saw a dream that a moon travelling from
Medina had fallen into her lap. She relates: "l did not wish to tell anyone about this dream. When I
was captured, I hoped for the fulfilment of this dream. Then, the Holy Prophets granted me freedom
and married me. I was 20 years old at that time." Prior to Islam, her name was Barrah. "Barrah"
means piety and the Holy Prophets did not like that if someone were to enquire if Barrah was at
home and he would have to answer that Barrah was not home. Hence, he changed her name to
Juwairiyahra. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2140)

She would often fast and was a staunch believer in the tenets of Islam. She would spend most of her
time offering prayers. It is related on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbasra: "The Messengers
of Allah went out from Hazrat Juwairiyahra, while she was in the state of offering prayers. Her
former name was Barrah, but he had renamed her [to Jaweryah. When he returned, she was in the
same place, worshipping. He asked, 'Have you been continuously offering?' She replied in
affirmative. He then said, 'Since leaving you, I have said four phrases three times, which, if weighed
against all that you have said (during this period), would prove to be heavier: [The words are] "Glory
be to Allah", and I begin with praise of Him to the number of His creatures, in accordance with His
good pleasure, to the weight of His throne and to the ink (extent) of His words.'" (Sunan Abi Daud,
Hadith 1503)

Her obedience was exemplary. It is reported that once, on Friday, the Prophets visited her, and she
was fasting. He asked her, "Did you fast yesterday?" She replied, "No." He said, "Do you intend to
fast tomorrow?" She replied, "No." He said, "Then break your fast." She immediately complied and
broke her fast. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1986)

She died at the age of 65 and was buried in Janatul Baqi alongside the rest of the wives. The
governor of the city, Hazrat Marwanra led her funeral prayer.