She had honor of being Ummahaat-ul-Momineen[Mothers of Believers]. She was Daughter of Zam’aa bin Qais from Makkah and Shamoos bint Qais from Medina, both of them belongs to same branch of Quraish ‘Bannu’. She was married to her cousin Sukran (Razi-allah-anha) bin Amr. She had a son from Sukran (Razi-allah-anha), Abdur Rahman (Razi-allah-anha) who was martyred in the Battle of Jalula in 637.
Entering to Islam
Hazrat saudah (Razi-allah-anha) and Hazrat Sukran(R.A) both accepted Islam in early years of Prophet hood. All her husband’s brothers sahel, Hatib, Sohail and saleet had the honor of being companions of Prophet Muhammad (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam).
And they both had distinction of migrating to Abyssinia for the cause of Allah.
Hazrat Saudah (Razi-allah-anha)’s Dream
One day Sauda (Razi-allah-anha ) dreamt that Prophet Muhammad(peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) entered her house and caught hold her by nap of her neck when she told her about her dream , he interpreted it to mean that after his death she would marry Muhammad(peace be upon him ).
Sometimes later, she had another dream; she saw the moon descending into her lap. She told sakran about this dream as well. He interpreted it for her. His death was imminent and she would marry to Prophet (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam). And few days later, he fell ill and passed away
Prophet (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam) after death of Hazrat khadija (Razi-allah-anha)
Prophet (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam) was extremely distressed over the death of Hazrat Khadija (Razi-allah-anha). One of Hazrat sauda(Razi-allah-anha) friends was Hazrat Khaula bint Hakeem (Razi-allah-anha) (Usman bin Maz’un (Razi-allah-anha)’s wife); She suggested him that he remarry as he remains alone and passing a sad life with responsibility of bringing-up four daughters.
Hazrat Khaula (Razi-allah-anha) asked Hazrat Sauda (Razi-allah-anha) ‘s father for her hand in marriage on behalf of Prophet (SWS).Both father and Hazrat Sauda (Razi-allah-anha) agreed.
Hazrat Saudah (R.A)’s Dream realized
In the 10th year of Prophet hood,the nikah was conducted at Sauda (RA)’s house by her father. The Prophet (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam) gave a Mahr of 400 Dirhams to his wife Sauda(Razi-allah-anha) on this occasion the 13th year of Prophet hood, when Prophet (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam) migrated to Medina, he sent Zayd bin Harith (RA) to escort Hazrat Sauda (RA) and others from Makkah. Hazrat Sauda (Razi-allah-anha) and Hazrat Fatima (Razi-allah-anha) therefore migrated from Makkah to Medina in the company of Hazrat Zayd (Razi-allah-anha).
Physical Appearance
Hazrat Sauda (RA) was the tallest among the wives of Prophet (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam). Hazrat Ayesha (RA) used to say, “… and everybody who knew her before (the hukm of pardah) could recognize her.”
Some of the wives of the Prophet (sallalaahu alayehi wasallam) asked him, “Who amongst us will be the first to follow you (i.e. die after you)?” He said, “Whoever has the longest hand.” So they started measuring their hands with a stick and Sauda’s hand turned out to be the longest. (When Zainab bint Jahsh died first of all in the caliphate of ‘Umar), we came to know that the long hand was a symbol of practicing charity, so she was the first to follow the Prophet and she used to love to practice charity.
Hazrat Sauda(Razi-allah-anha) was very simple, warm and had an exemplary character. She had unmatched obedience among the wives of Prophet and always willing to make sacrifice( sallalaahu alayehi wasallam) obedience among the wives of Prophet Hazrat Ayesha (RA) narrates,
‘Whenever Allah’s Apostle wanted to go on a journey, he would draw lots as to which of his wives would accompany him. He would take her whose name came out. He used to fix for each of them a day and a night. But Sauda bint Zam’a gave up her (turn) day and night to ‘Aisha, the wife of the Prophet in order to seek the pleasure of Allah’s Apostle (by that action).’
Five Ahadeeth has been narrated by her. She had the honor of being the first to marry Prophet (PBUH) after Hazrat Khadija (RA). She had sense of humor.
Ibn Saad mentions how once she was offering voluntary night prayers, standing behind the prophet(peace be upon him). The next morning she told him how his very long prayer made her fear that her nasal vein would burst and her nose would bleed so she said while in the bowing position. She held on to her nose! This comical image that she presented herself made the Prophet (PBUH) Burst into laughter.
An Extremely Generous Lady
She was extremely generous. During his rule ”Umar bin khattab (Razi-allah-anha) sent her bag full of dirhams. She then distributed the money among poor and needy.
Death
Hazrat Sauda (Razi-allah-anha) lived ripe old age of eighty. She passed away in the 22nd year after migration during caliphate of Umar bin Khattab (Razi-allah-anha) and was buried in ‘Jannat-ul-Baqi”.
