Juwayriya bint al-Harith

Juwayriya bint Harith (Juwayriyyah bint al-Ḥārith; 608–676) was the eighth wife of Muhammad and so, considered to be a Mother of the Believers. She was the daughter of Al-Hārith ibn Abi Dirar, the chief of Banu Mustaliq, who was defeated with his tribe in a battle. Invasion of Banu Mustaliq Two months after Muḥammad returned from the Expedition of Dhū Qarad, he began to hear rumours that the Banū al-Muṣṭaliq were preparing to attack him, so he sent a spy, Buraydah ibn Al-Ḥasīb Al-Aslamī, to confirm this. The Banū al-Muṣṭaliq also believed that Muḥammad was preparing to attack them. So they in turn sent a spy reconnoiter to explore the positions of the Muslims, but he was captured and killed by them. The two armies were stationed at a well called Al-Muraysī', near the sea, a short distance from Mecca. They fought with bows and arrows for an hour, and then the Muslims advanced rapidly, they surrounded the al-Muṣṭaliq and took the entire tribe as prisoners, with their families, herds and flock. The battle ended in full victory for the Muslims. Two hundred families were taken as captives, two hundred camels, five thousand sheep, goats, as well as a huge quantity of household goods which were captured as booty. The household goods were sold in an auction to the highest bidder. The Mustaliq lost a total of ten men. Only one Muslim was killed by mistake by a Helper. Juwayrīyah bint al-Ḥārith, daughter of the Banū al-Muṣṭaliq chief was one of the captives. After minimal casualties, the Muslim forces were victorious. Among the many captives was Juwayriya, whose husband Mustafa bin Safwan, had been killed in the battle. She initially fell among Muhammad's companion Thabit ibn Qays ibn Al-Shammas. Troubled by this, Juwayriya sought a deed of redemption from Muhammad. Muhammad proposed to marry her and, as a result, freed her from the bondage of Thabit ibn Qais and consequently ameliorated the condition of her captured tribe. This incident was described in more detail: "At the first opportunity (after her capture) she went to the Prophet, and pleaded her case with him.