CONTENTS
DEMISE OF HAZRAT KHADIJAH (PEACE BE UPON HER)
DEMISE OF HAZRAT SAKRAN (PEACE BE UPON HER)
REASON OF MARRIAGE
THE PROPASAL AND MARRAIGE TO HAZRAT SAWDAH (PEACE BE UPON HER)
CHARACHTERISTICS OF HAZRAT SAWDAH (PEACE BE UPON HER)
See also the Biography of the Last Prophet: Prophet
Muhammad
After the demise of Hazrat Khadijah ,
the Holy Prophet Muhammad 
was much worried and grief stricken. He had to look after his child and
attend to the household chores, adding considerably to the agony of the
death of his loving wife. This also caused hindrance in his Prophetic
mission. Seeing him worried and distressed, Hazrat Khawlah bint Hakeem ,
wife of Hazrat Uthman bin Maz'oon 
,
suggested to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
that he badly needed a companion to help him in running his house and looking
after his children, and proposed the name of Hazrat Sawdah
who was an elderly widow.
Hazrat Sawdah
and her late husband Hazrat Sakran ,
were early converts to Islam, and also had the honour of having migrated
to Abyssinia. Therefore, they were very much close and dear to the
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam).
On return from Abyssinia, Hazrat Sakran (Radhiyallahu-Anhu)
passed away. Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha)
was now left a forlorn widow with a baby.
On receipt of the suggestion, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
considered it carefully. The mission of Prophethood now demanded
much time, but due to him being preoccupied in household affairs, he could
not devote enough time to his heavenly mission. He therefore accepted
the proposal also taking into consideration that an early convert to Islam
may be helped and honoured, and approved Hazrat Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha)
to negotiate for his marriage with Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha).
THE
PROPASAL AND MARRAIGE TO HAZRAT SAWDAH 
Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha )
went straight to Hazrat Zum'aa bin Qais ,
the father of Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma),
and after exchanging compliments conveyed the message of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ).
Hazrat Zum'aa (Radhiyallahu-Anhu)
was much pleased and remarked that:
"Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
comes from a very respectable family and is a perfect gentleman and that
any father would feel proud of marrying his daughter to him." He
further suggested to Hazrat Khawlah
that Hazrat Sawdah
should also be consulted in this connection.
Hazrat Khawlah then went to Hazrat Sawdah and conveyed the message
of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
and added that she had already obtained the approval of her father for
the marriage. Hazrat Sawdah [Radhiyallahu-Anha ]
expressed her consent and happiness in the marriage. The marriage
was settled and Hazrat Sawdah was married with Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ).
The Nikah Khutbah (sermon) was read by Hazrat Sawdah's (Radhiyallahu-Anha)
father himself. Hazrat Sawdah
was 55 at the time of this marriage.
By this marriage the house of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
was once more aglow with warmth and happiness. Hazrat Fatimah and
Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma )
were the two orphaned daughters of Prophet[s.a.w.]
Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha)
used to love these two daughters very affectionately, so much so that nobody
could even doubt that she was not their real mother. Hazrat Sawdah
(Radhiyallahu-Anha)
had no children from the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam )
However, from her first husband (Hazrat Sakran 
)
she had a son named Hazrat Abdur-Rahmaan (Radhiyallahu-Anhu).
He fell a martyr fighting in the battle of Jalula.
.THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZRAT SAWDAH
Five traditions are said to have been narrated by Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha).
Out of these one finds place in Bukhari Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) was
generous, hospitable, kind and affectionate. Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu-Anhu)
once sent her a purse full of Dirhams, she at once distributed those coins.
She was distinguished in self-sacrifice. She was ready to fore go
her rights and privileges for the sake of others. She was also jovial
by nature. She used to please the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
and her friends through healthy jokes and jest.
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