The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
When Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) passed away in the tenth year after nubuwwah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was overcome with grief and sorrow upon her separation. A few days after her demise, Hazrat Khawlah bint Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the wife of the cousin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Uthmaan bin Maz’oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
The laws of purdah had not yet been revealed from Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, being part of the family of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), she came to him and said, “O Rasul of Allah! I see you overcome with grief due to the absence of Khadijah!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes! She was the one who took care of all my children and saw to the running of my home.”
Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) asked, “Should I not send a marriage proposal on your behalf to a woman?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) agreed and asked her, “To which woman do you intend sending a marriage proposal on my behalf?”
Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “There is a woman who was not previously married, and there is a woman who is a widow.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked, “Who is the one who was not married previously?” Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “Aaishah, the daughter of your most dear and close friend, Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then asked, “Who is the widow?” Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) said, “Saudah bint Zam’ah. She brought imaan in you and follows you.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Send a proposal to both women on my behalf.”
Marriage to Hazrat Saudah (radhiyallahu ‘anha)
Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anh) went to Hazrat Saudah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and said to her, “I have brought good news and barakah from the side of Allah Ta‘ala for you and your family!” Hazrat Saudah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) asked, “What are you referring to?” Hazrat Khawlah replied, “Rasulullah (sallallau ‘alaihi wasallam) sent a marriage for you.” She replied, “I am pleased to accept the proposal, however you should take permission from my father.”
The father of Hazrat Saudah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was advanced in age at that time and had not embraced Islam. Upon mentioning the proposal to him, he was greatly pleased and said regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “He is a person of nobility and suitable to marry my daughter. Accordingly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married Hazrat Saudah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) for the mahr of 400 dirhams.
Marriage to Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha)
Hazrat Khaulah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) then went to Hazrat Aaishah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mother, Hazrat Ummu Roomaan (radhiyallahu ‘anha), and said to her “O Ummu Roomaan! I have brought good news and barakah from the side of Allah Ta‘ala for you and your family!” Hazrat Ummu Roomaan (radhiyallahu ‘anha) asked, “What are you referring to?” Hazrat Khawlah replied, “Rasulullah (sallallau ‘alaihi wasallam) sent me to propose for Aaishah in marriage.” She replied, “I will have to wait for my husband, Abu Bakr, to come and then I will inform him.”
When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) arrived and was informed of the proposal, he said, “How can she marry him, whereas he is so close to me like my brother, and she is like a niece to him?” Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) thus came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and mentioned what Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had said. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded, “Go and tell him that I said, ‘I am your brother, and you are my brother in Islam (i.e. we are not blood-brothers), and your daughter is permissible for me to marry.’”
Hearing this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was greatly pleased, however he was concerned that he had already accepted a proposal from Mut’im bin Adiyy on behalf of his son, Jubayr. Thus, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), “Mut’im bin Adiyy had sent a proposal for his son Jubayr which I have already accepted.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a persn who never went back on his promise.
On saying this, he immediately went to the house of Mut‘im and asked him, “What have you decided about the marriage?” Mut’im’s wife was also present. He therefore addressed her and asked, “What is your opinion in this regard?” She replied, “If my son were to marry your daughter, I have this strong feeling that he will abandon his religion, give up the religion of his forefathers and embrace your religion.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) turned to Mut’im and asked him, “What do you have to say?” He replied, “You have already heard what my wife has to say.” The tone in which Mut’im and his wife spoke to Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a clear indication that they were no longer interested and they declined getting their son married to Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus returned home and said to Hazrat Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), “I accept the proposal of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He may come and marry my daughter.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus came to the home of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and the nikaah was performed for the mahr of 400 dirhams.
The nikaahs of Hazrat Saudah and Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anhmaa) both took place in the month of Shawwaal in the 10th year after nubuwwah. Since the nikaahs of Hazrat Saudah and Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) took place very close to each other, there is a difference among the Ulama and historians as to which nikaah took place first. However, the correct view is that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married Hazrat Saudah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) first, and then Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).
(Musnad Ahmed #25769, Sharhuz Zurqaani 2/49, 4/378-382)
