WHO IS SAWDAH?

 FAJR REMINDER: WHO IS SAWDAH? 

By: Umm Affān

Shawwāl 30, 1447 (18-April-2026)

Today, I want to speak about a noble woman who became a great support for our beloved Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) after the passing of his first wife, Khadījah Bint Khuwaylid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha). She was Sawdah Bint Zam’ah Ibn Qays (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha), a woman of dignity, sacrifice, and remarkable faith. She belonged to the noble tribe of Quraysh, specifically from Banu Āmir, while her mother, Ash-Shamus Bint Qays, was from Banu Najjar.

Sawdah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) was known to be a very tall woman. This is understood from the well-known narration reported by Ā’ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha), where the Prophet (ﷺ) said that: “One who has the longest hands amongst you would meet me most immediately. She farther said: They (the wives of Allāh's Apostle) used to measure the hands as to whose hand was the longest and it was the hand of Zaynab that was the longest amongst them, as she used to work with her hand and Spend (that income) on charity.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2452]

Our mother Sawdah (Raḍiyallāhu  ‘Anha) possessed many admirable virtues. She was among the earliest people to embrace Islām alongside her first husband, Sakrān Ibn ‘Amr (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu). Together, they accepted the truth and endured hardship for the sake of their faith. She was among those honored with two migrations (Aṣḥāb Al-Hijratayn): first to Habasha (Abyssinia, present-day Ethiopia) and later to Madīnah. This shows the depth of her sacrifice and commitment to Islām.

However, life tested her with a painful trial when her husband, Sakrān Ibn ‘Amr (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu), who was among the sincere supporters of the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ), passed away. Left without support or close family, Sawdah (Raḍiyallāhu  ‘Anha) found herself in a difficult position. It was then that the Prophet (ﷺ) married her, and this took place when she was around 55 years old. This teaches us an important lesson—that marriage in Islām is not merely for youth or beauty, but also for compassion, support, and honoring righteous people.

Sawdah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) was also among the narrators of Aḥadīth. She narrated five narrations from the Prophet (ﷺ), which are found in the Kutub as-Sittah (the six well-known books of Aḥadīth). These narrations were passed on by great companions, including ‘Abdullāh Ibn Abbās (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhuma). This reflects her closeness to the Prophet (ﷺ) and her role in preserving knowledge for the Ummah.

Her noble character was deeply appreciated by the other Mothers of the Believers. Our mother Ā’ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) was reported to have said: “I never found a woman more beloved to me and like whom I wish I could be than Sawdah who was passionate. When she became old, she donated her day with the Prophet to Ā’ishah.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1463]

This statement reveals the sincerity, generosity, and selflessness of Sawdah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha). She gave up her own day with the Prophet (ﷺ) to please him and to maintain harmony among the household, showing a heart full of wisdom and love.

Sawdah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) later passed away during the caliphate of ‘Umar Ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu). [Tārikh lil Imām al-Bukhārī 1/49-50]

I beseech Allāh to shower His special Mercy upon Sawdah Bint Zam’ah, elevate her rank in Jannah, and make us benefit from her beautiful example. Aameen.