Chief of the Prophets — Page 195
Chapter Eight 195 prophet, you would be saved. And if not, we will be saved from you. ” Hearing this, Muḥammad sa forgave her. 1 How great is this treatment of Muḥammad sa to an enemy that was out for blood! Certainly, history cannot find any match for it. Marriage with Ṣafiyyah ra , 7 A. H. Among the captives of Banī Naīr, Ṣafiyyah bint Ḥuyayy, the daughter of their chieftain, Ḥuyayy bin Akhṭab, was also included. Her mother was the daughter of the chieftain of Banū Quraiẓah. The tribe was famous throughout Arabia for the bravery and valor of its people. Ṣafiyyah’s first marriage to Salām bin Mishkam ended in divorce. Thereafter, she married Kinānah bin Rabī‘. He was the chieftain of Al-Qamūs, the famous fortress of the Jews and he lived there with his family. When the fortress was conquered and Kinānah was killed, his whole family including Ṣafiyyah ra was captured, and Ṣafiyyah ra was assigned to Dihya al-Kalbī. A few Companions entreated that the woman given to Dihya was the “First Lady” of Banī Naīr and Banū Quraiẓah, and as such should not be given to a soldier; only Muḥammad sa was appropriate for her. Muḥammad sa accepted their suggestion. Muḥammad sa gave another slave woman to Dihya in place of her, freed Ṣafiyyah ra and married her. Ṣafiyyah’s marriage to Muḥammad sa proved to be a great proof of the truthfulness of Muḥammad sa. Ṣafiyyah ra had long marks on her face. When Muḥammad sa asked her about the marks, she said, “O Messenger of Allah! Once I had a dream that the moon had fallen in my lap, and I narrated my dream to my husband. He thought it a strange dream, and took me to my father. When I narrated my dream to my father, he struck my face so severely leaving these marks on me. My father yelled at me accusing me that I wanted to 1 Sīratul-Ḥalbiyyah