Sayyidatuna Khawlah bint Hakim رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا

Pious Women

Sayyidatuna Khawlah bint Hakeem رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا

Sayyid Imran Akhtar Madani

Sayyidatuna Khawlah bint Hakim is an esteemed female companion from the tribe of Bani Sulaim. Her name was Khawlah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا, which has also been mentioned in its diminutive form (tasgheer) as Khuwailah, and her appellation is Umm Shareek.^[1]  She رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا accepted Islam during its early period, which is why she is considered amongst the initial group of women who accepted Islam.^[2]

Her husband Sayyiduna Usman Bin Maz’oon was the 14^th man to accept Islam. He was a pious, worshipper and a companion who partook in both migrations and the battle of Badr.^[3] Sayyiduna Usman bin Maz’oon was the first to be buried in the Baqi cemetery. Moreover, he was the foster (Rida`i) brother of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and was the maternal uncle of the Mother of Believers Sayyidatuna Hafsah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا. ^[4]

Sayyiduna Usman Bin Maz’oon and Lady Khawlah had 2 sons: Sayyiduna Abdul Rahman and Sayyiduna Saa’ib رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا. Both of them were honoured to be companions of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Sayyidatuna Khawlah bint Hakim رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا was very intelligent and wise. It was because of her advice that two wives of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم were married to him. In fact, she was the one who conveyed to them the marriage proposal. After the passing away of Sayyidatuna Khadijah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا, she said to the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم: ‘O Messenger of Allah! صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم Why do you not marry?’ He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, ‘[Marry] who?’ She replied: ‘Whoever you wish from the maiden or Thayyibah (widow/divorcee).’^[5] The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, ‘Who is the maiden?’ She replied: ‘Aisha Bint Abu Bakr رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْھَا: the daughter of the one who is very dear to you amongst the creation of Allah.’ He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then asked, ‘Who is the Thayyibah?’ She replied: ‘Sawdah, the one who believes in you and is obedient to you.’ Then, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gave permission for a marriage proposal to be sent to both of them.^[6]

Sayyidatuna Khawlah Bint Hakeem is the fortunate companion who has been declared a believing woman in the Quran. The following verse of Surah al-Ahzaab is in reference to her:^[7]

وَ امْرَاَةً مُّؤْمِنَةً اِنْ وَّهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا لِلنَّبِیِّ اِنْ اَرَادَ النَّبِیُّ اَنْ یَّسْتَنْكِحَهَاۗ-  ^[8]

And the believing woman if she gifts herself to the Prophet, if the Prophet wants to take her in marriage.

She رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْھَا has reported a Hadith. She states that she heard the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم say: ‘Whoever stops at a place and recites اَعُوذُ بِكَلِـمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ, then nothing from that place will cause him any harm until he leaves from there.’^[9]

Lady Khawlah Bint Hakim also was a cause for the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم training and guiding his companions. Once, she رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا came to the noble wives رضی الـلّٰـهُ عَنہُنَّ of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم whilst she did not seem well. Upon enquiring, it was discovered that her husband would spend day and night in worship, and this resulted in him not paying any attention towards her. The noble wives رضی الـلّٰـهُ عَنہُنَّ mentioned this matter to him. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم informed Sayyiduna Usman Bin Maz’oon about the rights of the family and children. Hence, when Sayyidatuna Khawlah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا visited the noble wives of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم again, she was seen to be in a better state.^[10]