Umm al-Muminin Juwayriya bint al-Harith
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Umm al-Muminin Juwayriya bint al-Harith (أم المؤمنين جويرية بنت الحارث) is a biographical treatise by the contemporary author Khalid al-Hamudi chronicling the life, virtues, and historical role of the Mother of the Believers, Juwayriya bint al-Harith .
Background and the Battle of al-Muraysi'
The book opens by describing the tribal background of Banu al-Mustaliq, a branch of the Khuza'ah tribe led by Juwayriya's father, al-Harith ibn Abi Dirar . Driven by pre-Islamic tribal pride, al-Harith mobilized his forces to attack the Muslims in Medina . The author highlights the military leadership and intelligence gathering of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who dispatched scouts to assess the enemy's preparations before launching a pre-emptive expedition in Sha'ban of 5 AH . The engagement at al-Muraysi' resulted in a decisive defeat for Banu al-Mustaliq, the capture of over seven hundred prisoners, and the flight of al-Harith .
Captivity and Marriage
Among the captives was Juwayriya, originally named Barrah, whose husband, Musafi' ibn Safwan, had been killed in the battle . Drawing directly upon the famous narration of Aisha, the text details how she fell into the share of Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammas al-Ansari and entered into a contractual agreement (kitabah) to purchase her freedom for nine awraq . She sought the assistance of the Prophet ﷺ, who offered to pay the amount of her contract and marry her .
Upon hearing of the marriage, the Muslim army released their captives from Banu al-Mustaliq, freeing one hundred households out of respect for the Prophet's new in-laws, prompting Aisha to remark that no woman was ever a greater blessing to her people than Juwayriya . The author also records the subsequent conversion of al-Harith ibn Abi Dirar after the Prophet ﷺ miraculously disclosed the two ransom camels he had hidden outside Medina, as well as the renaming of Barrah to Juwayriya to avoid unfavorable linguistic associations .
Domestic Life, Devotion, and Later Years
The treatise highlights Juwayriya's religious devotion and asceticism within the prophetic household, portraying her as constant in fasting and night prayers (al-sawwamah al-qawwamah) . It relates key prophetic traditions transmitted through her, including the instruction regarding the morning glorifications: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ رِضَا نَفْسِهِ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَزْنَ عَرْشِهِ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ مِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ "Glory be to Allah according to the number of His creation, glory be to Allah according to the pleasure of His self, glory be to Allah according to the weight of His Throne, and glory be to Allah according to the ink of His words" .
It also recounts the ruling on prohibiting solitary fasting on Fridays without joining it to an adjacent day . The work examines the human dynamics of co-wife jealousy among the Mothers of the Believers, noting how the Prophet ﷺ comforted Juwayriya when others boasted over her by reminding her of the greatness of her dowry through the emancipation of her kin . The text notes her legal status as a full wife, including her share of provisions—such as eighty wasqs of dates and twenty wasqs of wheat from the conquest of Khaybar—and casting lots for travels and campaigns .
Following the death of the Prophet ﷺ, Juwayriya dedicated herself to worship, distributed her treasury stipends entirely to the poor and destitute, and regularly performed the Hajj . During the civil strife (fitnah) that erupted after the assassination of Uthman ibn Affan, she maintained strict neutrality, advised Aisha against military involvement at the Battle of the Camel in concert with Umm Salama, and remained secluded in her home praying for the preservation of Muslim lives .
Death
Juwayriya died after an illness in Rabi' al-Awwal of 56 AH in Medina, and her funeral prayer was led by the city's governor, Marwan ibn al-Hakam .
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