Safiyya bint Huyayy ibn Akhtab (رضي الله عنها), one of the prominent Mothers of the Believers, recalls, “I was the most loved by my father among all my siblings, and my uncle Abu Yasir loved his sons as much as he loved me. Whenever we met, they would always take me with them. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived in Medina, my father and uncle went to him early in the morning and did not return until sunset. They came back exhausted, walking slowly, and I rushed to greet them as I always did. But by Allah, neither of them looked at me from their despair!

I heard my uncle Abu Yasir say to my father: ‘Is it really him?’

He replied: ‘Yes, by Allah.’

Then my uncle asked again: ‘Is he the one?’

He replied: ‘Yes.’

 Then my uncle asked: ‘What do you feel about him?’

My father answered: ‘By Allah, I am his enemy as long as I live!'”

The Early Life of Safiyya bint Huyayy

The exact birthplace of Safiyya bint Huyayy is not known. She grew up as Jew in Medina. Her father was a master of Banu Nadir, and her noble lineage can be traced back to Haroon (Aaron). Her mother, Barrah bint Samawal, was from the Banu Qurayza tribe. Safiyya bint Huyayy’s ancestry could also extends to Ya’qub, son of Ishaq, son of Ibrahim.

Safiyya bint Huyayy was first married to Kenana ibn Abi Haqiqa from Banu Nadir and before that to Salaam ibn Mishkam from Banu Qurayza.

The Dream of Safiyya

Allah prepared Safiyya’s heart to accept Islam. Safiyya once had a dream in which the moon had fallen onto her lap. When she told her husband Kenana, he quickly interpreted this dream as a sign of her desire to marry Muhammad ﷺ, and hit her on her face!

Allah’s Plan for Safiyya bint Huyayy

In the 7th year of Hijra, the Jews attempted to kill Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and betrayed their covenants with the Muslims. They allied with the disbelievers during the Battle of the Trench. As a result of this was the Battle of Khaybar. During the battle, a significant number of Jewish men, including Safiyya bint Huyayy’s husband, Kinana, and her father, were killed. Safiyya bint Huyayy was captured along with many others. This event became pivotal in shaping her future. Dihya ibn Khalifa Al-Kalbi, a companion of the Prophet, approached him asking for a female captive from among those taken in battle. He initially chose Safiyya, famed for her beauty and noble lineage. However, the wise Sahaba expressed their concerns: “O Messenger of Allah, she is a noblewoman from Banu Qurayza and Banu Nadir; she deserves your honour and protection!”

Recognizing Safiyya’s noble lineage, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ honoured her and exchanged her for 7 other captives.

Choosing Faith Over Heritage

As was customary for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he did not force anyone to embrace Islam. He gave Safiyya the choice between remaining in Judaism or embracing Islam. Promising her freedom either way he told her: “Choose, for if you choose Islam, I will marry you. If you choose to return to your people, I will free you.”

Safiyya’s response was resolute: “I choose Allah and His Messenger. I have been enamoured with Islam and have believed in you even before your call to me. I have no ties left in Judaism; my family and kin are gone. The choice is clear! Allah and His Messenger mean more to me than returning to my past.” On the day of her marriage, she told prophet Muhammad ﷺ about her dream. It has now come true.

Safiyya Bint Huyayy’s Conversion

This defining moment marked the beginning of Safiyya’s journey as a Muslim. Her dream and discussions she overheard from her father and uncle have prepared her for this moment. Upon her arrival in Medina, she stayed at Al-Harith ibn Al-Nu’man (رضي الله عنه). Women gathered to see her, including Aisha (رضي الله عنها) the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked Aisha about her, and Aisha replied: “I saw a Jewish woman.” The Prophet then said: “She has embraced Islam, and her Islam is commendable.”

The Wisdom Behind Prophet Muhammad’s Marriages and the Role of the Mother of the Believers

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) married eleven women, all of whom are honoured as the Mothers of the Believers (Umm al-Mu’minin). Each of these marriages carried profound purpose and wisdom, as willed by Allah (SWT).

Lessons from Safiyya bint Huyayy’s marriage:

1. Kinship Ties with the Jews: The marriage helped alleviate hostility towards the Prophet and Islam, paving the way for the Jews’ eventual acceptance of Islam. The marriage fostered unity, bridging connections with the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir and fostering goodwill among previous adversaries.
2. Protection of Dignity: By marrying Safiyya, the Prophet protected her dignity after her capture, ensuring she would be honoured as his wife rather than demeaned as a captive.
3. Legislative Islamic Principles: The marriage demonstrated that Islam permits a Muslim to marry a captive while ensuring respectful treatment, embodying the humane approach of Islam.
4. Educational Role: Safiyya’s noble descent and Jewish background offered unique insights, helping educate others and furthering the Islamic mission.
5. Model of Inclusivity: Her conversion exemplified the inclusive nature of Islam, showing that anyone—regardless of past beliefs—could embrace Islam and find a respected place within the community.
6. Marriage After Her ‘Iddah (Waiting Period): After her capture during the Battle of Khaybar, Safiyya’s marriage to the Prophet occurred only after she completed her ’iddah (waiting period). This ensured that she was free from any prior marital obligations, adhering to sharia law.
7. Her Freedom and the Symbolic Dowry: An important aspect of Safiyya’s marriage was the concept of her dowry being her freedom. The Prophet ﷺ liberated her from captivity, marking a significant departure from the common practices of treating captives poorly. This union represented dignity, protection, and a new life within the Muslim community.
8. The Prophet’s Efforts to Ease Her Pain: Safiyya faced tremendous loss; her father, husband, and brother had perished during the battle. The Prophet treated her emotions with great care, providing gentle explanations for his actions and those of her people. This approach helped alleviate her grief and foster acceptance of their marriage.
9. The Prophet’s Care and Respect for Safiyya: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ treated Safiyya with kindness throughout their marriage. He ensured she was emotionally supported amidst the changes in her life, allowing her to heal from her past traumas. This marriage epitomized the principles of Islam, emphasizing respect, empathy, and the emotional well-being of its followers.

Umar ibn al-Khattab Questions Safiyya’s Connection to the Sabbath and the Jews

During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) , a servant girl from Safiyya came to him and informed him that Safiyya still loved the Sabbath and visited the Jews. When Umar inquired about this, Safiyya replied: “As for the Sabbath, I have not loved it since Allah replaced it with Friday. And as for the Jews, I maintain my family ties.” When the servant girl was questioned, she confessed: “It was the devil.” Safiyya later freed her.

Narration of Hadith

Safiyya bint Huyayy narrated ten hadiths. One hadith, which is agreed upon in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, was narrated by her nephew and freedman Kenana, along with companions like Yazid bin Muwattib, Zain al-Abidin, and Ishaq bin Abdullah bin Al-Harith (رضي الله عنهم).

Her Passing and Legacy

Safiyya bint Huyayy passed away in Medina during the caliphate of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan in the year 50 AH. She was buried in the Al Baqi Cemetery alongside the Mothers of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with them all.
Safiyya also instructed that a third of her inheritance to be given to her Jewish brother, amounting to 30,000. She had sold her room to Muawiya for 100,000, and despite having invited her brother to embrace Islam, he refused.

Final Thoughts

Safiyya bint Huyayy’s contributions to Islam continue to resonate, making her an important figure in Islamic history. From the life of Safiyya bint Huyayy (may Allah be pleased with her), we learn about her courage in embracing Islam and the important stance she took with Umar ibn al-Khattab regarding her visits to the Jews. Despite her conversion to Islam, Safiyya remained connected to her family, illustrating the balance of familial ties and faith. Her legacy as a Mother of the Believers remains a vital part of Islamic history.