Safiyya bint Huyayy was a wife of Prophet Muhammad, born into the Jewish Banu Nadir tribe in Medina, who converted to Islam and is honored as a “Mother of the Believers”. Her marriage to the Prophet followed the Battle of Khaybar, where her husband and father were killed, and she became a significant figure in early Islamic history.
Safiyya bint Huyayy
Safiyya bint Huyayy was born around 610-614 CE in Yathrib (Medina) to Huyayy ibn Akhtab, the chief of the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir, and Barra bint Samaw’al from the Banu Qurayza clan. Her noble lineage traced back to the priestly family of Aaron, giving her a high status among the Jews of Arabia. She was married first to Sallam ibn Mishkam, who divorced her, and then to Kinana ibn al-Rabi, the treasurer of Banu Nadir, around 627-628 CE when she was approximately 17 years old. According to Islamic sources, Safiyya had a dream where the moon fell into her lap, which her husband interpreted as a sign she desired to marry Muhammad and struck her, leaving a visible mark.
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Battle of Khaybar and Captivity
In 628 CE, the Muslims attacked Khaybar, where Safiyya’s family had settled after being expelled from Medina. The Banu Nadir were defeated, and her husband Kinana was killed after refusing to reveal the tribe’s treasure. Safiyya was taken captive, and one of the Prophet’s companions, Dihya al-Kalbi, claimed her as a slave. However, another companion noted her high status as the daughter of a chieftain and suggested she was fit only for the Prophet, leading Muhammad to take her for himself. The Prophet offered Safiyya a choice: she could return to her people if she remained Jewish, or she could convert to Islam and marry him. She chose Islam and marriage to the Prophet, stating that Allah and His Messenger were dearer to her than freedom.
Read about: Aisha bint Abu Bakr
Marriage and Life with the Prophet
The Prophet Muhammad married Safiyya after she completed her waiting period (idda) following her husband’s death. Islamic sources emphasize that he treated her with kindness and compassion, apologizing for the loss of her family and gradually winning her affection until he became the most beloved person to her. He manumitted her before marriage, elevating her status. The marriage served multiple purposes: it honored Safiyya, compensated for her losses, and aimed to reduce hostility between Muslims and Jews, similar to his marriage to Juwairiyah bint al-Harith. Safiyya did not bear any children to the Prophet, but she became known for her piety and narrated several hadiths about his life and teachings. She was noted for her exceptional beauty, which sometimes led to jealousy from other wives, but the Prophet defended her dignity.
Legacy and Death
After the Prophet’s death, Safiyya remained active in the Muslim community and supported Caliph Uthman during his siege, supplying him with food and water despite the danger. She bequeathed one-third of her estate, amounting to 30,000 dirhams, to her Jewish nephew, demonstrating her continued familial ties. Safiyya died in 50 AH (664/672 CE) during the caliphate of Mu’awiya and was buried in the al-Baqi cemetery in Medina alongside the other “Mothers of the Believers“. Her life story, from a Jewish noblewoman to a wife of the Prophet, is seen as a testament to faith, resilience, and the unifying message of Islam.
FAQs
Who was Safiyya bint Huyayy?
Safiyya bint Huyayy was the daughter of Huyayy ibn Akhtab, the chief of the Jewish Banu Nadir tribe in Medina, and became the tenth wife of Prophet Muhammad after converting to Islam.
How did Safiyya bint Huyayy become the wife of Prophet Muhammad?
After the Battle of Khaybar in 628 CE, Safiyya was taken captive when her husband was killed. The Prophet offered her the choice to return to her people or convert to Islam and marry him; she chose the latter.
Did Safiyya bint Huyayy have children with Prophet Muhammad?
No, Safiyya did not bear any children to Prophet Muhammad.
What was the significance of Safiyya's dream about the moon?
Safiyya dreamed that the moon fell into her lap, which her husband interpreted as a sign she desired to marry Muhammad. This dream is seen by Muslims as a divine indication of her future marriage to the Prophet.
How did Safiyya bint Huyayy die and where is she buried?
Safiyya died in 50 AH (664/672 CE) during the caliphate of Mu'awiya and was buried in the al-Baqi cemetery in Medina, the resting place of many of the Prophet's family and companions.
Conclusion
Safiyya bint Huyayy’s life embodies a profound transformation from a member of a hostile Jewish tribe to a beloved wife of the Prophet Muhammad and a respected figure in the early Muslim community. Her journey highlights themes of forgiveness, compassion, and the power of faith to overcome personal tragedy and communal conflict. By choosing Islam and marriage to the Prophet, she not only found personal solace but also played a role in bridging divides between Muslims and Jews. Her legacy as a “Mother of the Believers” endures through her contributions to Islamic tradition and her example of dignity and piety in the face of adversity.