The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

96 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
responded. "She would like that," she replied. "Well, call her in to me," he told
her. She did so and Abii Bakr said to Sawda, "My child, this woman claims that
Muhammad, son of 'Abd All& b. 'Abd al-Mugalib, has sent asking to become
engaged to you. It's a fine match. Would you have me marry you to him?" "Yes,
I would," she replied. "Then call for him," he said.
"'And when the Messenger of God (SAAS) came, he did marry him to her.
"'Her brother 'Abd h. Zam'a then returned from the pilgrimage, his head
covered with dirt. After greetings, he commented, "By your life, what a fool I
am! The same day I cover my head with dirtz6 the Messenger of God (SAAS)
marries Sawda, daughter of Zam'a! "
'"'- ,
A'lsha stated, "We moved to Medina and took up residence among the
Banii al-Haith b. Khazraj in al-Sunh. The Messenger of God (SAAS) came into
our house where he had a meeting with some of the men and women of the
angiv?' 'the Helpers'. My mother came to me while I was on a swing, going to
and fro between two date-palms. She took me down from the swing; my hair was
short like a boy's and she parted it, washed my face with some water and then
led me over to the door. I was out of breath and (stopped) there until I became
calmer. Then she took me in and there was the Messenger of God (SAAS) seated
on a bed inside our house, in the company of a group of the anjar, both men and
women. She sat me down in his lap and said, 'These are your family; may God
bless you by them and they by you.' The men and women then jumped up and
left. The Messenger of God (SAAS) consummated our marriage there in our
house; no camels or sheep were slaughtered for me. Eventually Sa'd b. Wbada
sent us a bowl of food such as he would provide whenever the Messenger of God
(SAAS) was visiting his wives. At that time, I was nine."'"
This account, though seemingly incomplete is to be considered comprehensive.
This is an account of the same circumstances related by alBayhaqi through
b a d b.'Abd al-Jabb~, as follows, "'Abd All& b. Idris al-Azdi related to us,
from Mubmad h. 'Amr, from Y&ya b. 'Abd al-mrmn b. Hsuh who reported,
"A'isha said, "When Khadija died Khawk, daughter of Hzkim, came and said, '0
Messenger of God, would you like to be married?' 'To whom?' he enquired. 'It
could, if you wish, be to a virgin or to a woman previously married,' she replied.
'Which virgin, and which previously married woman?' he asked. 'The virgin could
he the daughter of that creation of God whom you love best; the previously married
woman would be Sawda, daughter of Zam'a. She has expressed belief in you
and become your follower.' 'Make mention of me to them,' he told her.""'
The account hereafter relates the hadith essentially as above.
26. Apparently placing dirt on the head was part ofthe pre-Islamic pilgrimage ritual in which
he had engaged.
27. This refers to the people of Yathrib (later Medina) who accepted Islam and assisted the
Muslim migrants from Mecca.