Juwayriyyah, daughter of al-Harith ibn al-Mustaliq, fell to the lot of Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammas, or to her cousin. She entered into an agreement to purchase her freedom. She was a very beautiful woman, most attractive to the eye.
Aisha said: She then came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asking him for the purchase of her freedom. When she was standing at the door, I looked at her with disapproval. I realised that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would look at her in the same way that I had looked.
She said: Messenger of Allah, I am Juwayriyyah, daughter of al-Harith, and something has happened to me, which is not hidden from you. I have fallen to the lot of Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammas, and I have entered into an agreement to purchase of my freedom. I have come to you to seek assistance for the purchase of my freedom.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Are you inclined to that which is better? She asked: What is that, Messenger of Allah? He replied: I shall pay the price of your freedom on your behalf, and I shall marry you.
She said: I shall do this. She (Aisha) said: The people then heard that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had married Juwayriyyah. They released the captives in their possession and set them free, and said: They are the relatives of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) by marriage. We did not see any woman greater than Juwayriyyah who brought blessings to her people. One hundred families of Banu al-Mustaliq were set free on account of her.
Abu dawud said: This evidence shows that a Muslim ruler may marry a slave woman himself.
The Book of Manumission of Slaves - Sunan Abi Dawud 3931
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud presents the blessed incident of Juwayriyyah bint al-Harith's emancipation and marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), demonstrating profound wisdom in Islamic jurisprudence regarding slavery, marriage, and social reform.
Contextual Analysis
Juwayriyyah was among captives from Banu al-Mustaliq after the Battle of al-Muraysi'. Her noble lineage as daughter of the tribal chief made her situation particularly significant. The Prophet's intervention transformed her from war captive to Mother of the Believers.
Her initial approach to the Prophet seeking assistance with her kitabah (contractual self-purchase) demonstrates the Islamic principle that slaves may work toward freedom through mutual agreements with their owners.
Juridical Rulings Derived
The Prophet's marriage proposal while she was technically still a slave establishes the permissibility of a Muslim ruler marrying a slave woman, as noted by Imam Abu Dawud. This ruling applies specifically to rulers due to different considerations of public interest.
The marriage immediately elevated her status, making her umm al-mu'minin (Mother of the Believers), and consequently her entire tribe became relatives of the Prophet by marriage, leading to their mass emancipation.
Social Impact and Wisdom
The collective freeing of one hundred families demonstrates Islam's practical approach to eliminating slavery through social transformation rather than immediate abolition. This incident became known as the most blessed marriage for an entire tribe.
Aisha's narration of her initial disapproval and subsequent recognition of Juwayriyyah's great blessing shows how divine wisdom transcends human perception. What appeared as potential rivalry became a means of liberation for hundreds.
Spiritual Lessons
The Prophet's question "Are you inclined to that which is better?" illustrates the Islamic principle of offering superior alternatives rather than mere solutions. His approach combined spiritual elevation with practical emancipation.
This incident exemplifies how individual actions of the Prophet had far-reaching social consequences, transforming entire communities through wisdom and strategic implementation of Islamic principles.