Sayyidah Saudah (R.A)

Hazrat e Sayyidah Saudah (R.A) was the second wife of Beloved Prophet (S.A.W). Her (R.A) father's name was Zam'ah and her mother’s name was Shamoos bint Amr. She was initially married to her cousin, Hazrat Sakraan bin Amr (R.A). They both became Muslims very early into Islam and made the second Hijrat (Migration) to Abbyssinia (currently known as Ethopia).

On their return to Makkah Shareef, Hazrat Sakraan bin Amr (R.A) passed away leaving Hazrat e Sayyidah Saudah (R.A) a widow with one son named Abdur-Rahman.

Our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) was, at that time, very sad at the demise of Hazrat e Sayyidah Khadija (R.A). Noticing this sorrow, Hazrat e Sayyidah Khaula bint Hakeem (R.A) submitted, "Ya Rasoolullah (S.A.W)! Why do you not marry Saudah? She'll be beneficial in managing your home and through her you shall receive the companionship of a faithful wife”.

“Hopefully through this your grief could be alleviated". This advice was accepted by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), and thus, Hazrat e Sayyidah Khaula (R.A) proceeded to Hazrat e Sayyidah Saudah's (R.A) father to arrange the Nikaah. A marriage took place, and Hazrat e Sayyidah Saudah (R.A) then entered the household of the most Beloved Prophet of Allah (S.W.T).

She was a faithful companion to Him (S.A.W) and a very generous person. Ameerul Mu'mineen, Hazrat Umar (R.A) once sent her a bag full of dirhams, to which she asked what it was. When the messenger replied that it was a bag full of dirhams, she replied, "Why is a bag filled with dirhams being sent?", and thereafter stood up and distributed the dirhams amongst the poor and needy of Madina Shareef.

Five Ahadith narrated by her are recorded in the famous books of Hadith, including one being recorded in Bukhari Sharif. Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A) and Hazrat Yahya bin Abdur-Rahman (R.A) are two of her most distinguished students.

There are different opinions concerning the year in which Hazrat e Sayyidah Saudah (R.A) passed away. Hazrat Imaam Zahabi (R.A) and Hazrat Imaam Bukhari (R.A) have classified the opinion of her passing away in Madina in 23 AH as correct (towards the end of Hazrat Umar's (R.A) Khilaafat).
Hazrat Imaam Waaqdi (R.A) states that she passed away in 53 AH, whilst Hazrat Imaam Asqalaani (R.A) has stated that her demise had occurred in Shawwaal 55 AH. (Zarqaani, Vol. 3, Pg. 229)