The Mothers of the Believers: Safiyyah bint Huyayy

Early Life and Family Background 

Safiyyah bint Huyayy was one of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ). She was the daughter of Huyayy ibn Akhtab, a leader of the tribe of Banur Nadir and her mother was Barrah bint Al-Samaw'al. Safiyyah came from a respected family known for its leadership and influence. She was descended from Prophet Harun (AS), the brother of Prophet Musa (AS). Before her marriage to the Prophet (ﷺ), Safiyyah had been married to Kinanah ibn Abi aI-Huqayq. 

The Prophet (ﷺ) recognized Safiyyah’s noble family background and reminded others of her honorable lineage. 

Narrated Anas: “It reached Safiyyah that Hafsah had said, “Daughter of a Jew.” So, she wept. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) entered upon her while she was weeping and said, “What is making you weep?” She said, “Hafsah said to me that I am the daughter of a Jew.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You are indeed the daughter of a prophet, your uncle is indeed a prophet, and you are indeed married to a prophet, so in what does she take pride over you?” Then he said, “Fear Allah, O Hafsah.” (Tirmidhi, 3894) 

Marriage to the Prophet (ﷺ)

Following the Muslim victory at Khaybar, Safiyyah was among the captives. Her husband had been killed, along with other members of her family. The Prophet (ﷺ) was informed of her noble status, and he chose to free her and offer her marriage. According to some sources, the Prophet (ﷺ) granted her freedom as part of her dowry. 

Anas said “Captives were gathered at Khaybar. Dihyah came out and said, “Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) give me a slave girl from the captives.” He said “Go and take a slave girl. He took Safiyyah, daughter of Huyayy. A man then came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said “You gave Safiyyah daughter of Huyayy, chief lady of Qurayza and Al Nadir to Dihyah? This is according to the version of Ya’qub. Then the agreed version goes “she is worthy of you.” He said “call him along with her. When the Prophet (ﷺ) looked at her, he said to him “take another slave girl from the captives. The Prophet (ﷺ) then set her free and married her.” (Abi Dawud, 2998) 

Narrated Anas: “The Prophet (ﷺ) stayed for three days at a place between Khaybar and Medina, and there he consummated his marriage with Safiyyah bint Huyyay. I invited the Muslims to a banquet which included neither meat nor bread. The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered for the leather dining sheets to be spread, and then dates, dried yogurt and butter were provided over it, and that was the Walima (banquet) of the Prophet. The Muslims asked whether Safiyya would be considered as his wife or as a slave girl of what his right hands possessed. Then they said, "If the Prophet (ﷺ) screens her from the people, then she is the Prophet's wife but if he does not screen her, then she is a slave girl." So, when the Prophet (ﷺ) proceeded, he made a place for her (on the camel) behind him and screened her from people.” (Bukhari, 5159) 

The Prophet’s Kindness toward Safiyyah 

Numerous hadiths highlight the Prophet’s compassion and consideration toward Safiyyah. When traveling toward Madinah after their marriage, Anas narrated “I saw the Prophet, making for her a kind of cushion with his cloak behind him (on his camel). He then sat beside his camel and put his knee for Safiyyah to put her foot on, in order to ride (on the camel).” (Bukhari, 4211)

Anas ibn Malik narrated “We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) while returning from Usfan, and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was riding his she-camel keeping Safiyyah bint Huyyay riding behind him. His she-camel slipped and both of them fell down. Abu Talha jumped from his camel and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! May Allah sacrifice me for you." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Take care of the lady." So, Abu Talha covered his face with a garment and went to Safiya and covered her with it, and then he set right the condition of their she camel so that both of them rode, and we were encircling Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) like a cover. When we approached Medinah, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We are returning with repentance and worshipping and praising our Lord." He kept on saying this till he entered Medinah. (Bukhari, 3085) 

Protecting her Dignity

The Prophet (ﷺ) took care to protect Safiyyah’s dignity and prevent others from misunderstanding their relationship and spreading false rumors. 

It was narrated by Ali bin Al-Husain that Safiyyah visited the Prophet while he was in I'tikaf, when she was leaving the Prophet (ﷺ) accompanied her. On the way, two men from the Ansar saw them and quickly passed by after greeting the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) called the men and explained that the woman with him was Safiyyah, his wife. The men immediately said that they would never think anything bad about the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body, and I was afraid lest Satan might insert an evil thought in your minds.” (Bukhari, 2038) 

This hadith teaches us about avoiding suspicion and protecting people’s reputations. 

Safiyyah and the other Wives of the Prophet (ﷺ)

Like any family, the household of the Prophet (ﷺ) experienced moments of disagreement. It was narrated from Aishah: “that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) became angry with Safiyyah bint Huyai for something, and Safiyyah said: “O Aishah, can you make the Messenger of Allah be pleased with me, and I will give you, my day?" She said: "Yes." So, she took a headcover of hers that was dyed with saffron and sprinkled it with water so that its fragrance would become stronger, then she sat beside the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "O Aishah, go away, because it is not your day!" She said: "That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases." Then she told him about that matter, and he was pleased with her.” (Ibn Majah, 1973) 

This narration shows that disagreement can happen even among good and righteous people. What is important is how people respond to those disagreements with patience, understanding, forgiveness, and a willingness to make peace and respect each other. 

Safiyyah during Hajj

Safiyyah accompanied the Prophet (ﷺ) during pilgrimage. 

Aisha narrated “Safiyyah bint Huyay, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) got her menses, and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was informed of that. He said, "Would she delay us?" The people said, "She has already performed Tawaf-al-Ifada." He said, "Therefore she will not (delay us)." (Bukhari, 1757)

Death

Safiyyah bint Hayyay died during the reign of Mu'awiyah in Madinah and was buried in al Baqi.