Juwairia bint al-Harith: From Captive to Mother of the Believers (UK Sahabiyat Profile)
By Eaalim Institute on 4/27/2026
Juwairia bint al-Harith (Arabic: جويرية بنت الحارث; born around 14 BH / 608 CE, died 56 AH / 676 CE) was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — one of the Mothers of the Believers. Her story is one of the most extraordinary in the Sahabah generation: born a princess of the Banu Mustaliq tribe, captured as a prisoner of war after a Muslim military campaign, she ended up marrying the Prophet ﷺ and became a means of liberation for her entire tribe. Her marriage to the Prophet ﷺ resulted in the freeing of approximately 100 captives from her tribe by the Muslim community out of respect for the new family relationship. This UK guide tells her story and what British Muslim families can take from her example.
Her family and background
Juwairia was the daughter of Al-Harith ibn Abi Dirar, a chief of the Banu Mustaliq tribe (a clan of the Khuza'a confederation). She was born around 608 CE in the Hijaz region of western Arabia. She was first married to Musafiʿ ibn Safwan, but she was widowed before her capture.
The Battle of Banu Mustaliq (5 AH / 626 CE)
The Banu Mustaliq, under Juwairia's father's leadership, planned an attack against the Muslim community in Madinah in 5 AH. The Prophet ﷺ launched a pre-emptive expedition to the well of al-Muraysiʿ (the Battle of Banu Mustaliq, also called the Battle of al-Muraysi). The Muslims defeated the Banu Mustaliq decisively. Several hundred members of the tribe, including Juwairia, were taken as prisoners of war.
Juwairia's appeal to the Prophet ﷺ
Juwairia, being a chief's daughter, was distressed at her captivity. She sought out the Prophet ﷺ and requested his assistance with her ransom. The Prophet ﷺ offered her something better: he proposed marriage. Juwairia accepted Islam (which had become a precondition for marriage) and accepted the marriage.
The Prophet ﷺ paid her ransom, freed her, and married her.
The 100 freed captives
The most extraordinary consequence: when the Muslim community learned that the Prophet ﷺ had married Juwairia — making the Banu Mustaliq prisoners now relatives by marriage of the Prophet ﷺ — they freed approximately 100 of their captives out of respect for the new family relationship.
Aisha (RA) said about her: "I have never seen a woman who was a greater blessing to her tribe than Juwairia" (recorded in classical Seerah works including Ibn Hisham). Through her single marriage, an entire tribe was liberated from captivity.
Juwairia's life as a Mother of the Believers
Juwairia entered the Prophet ﷺ's household as one of the Mothers of the Believers. She narrated several hadith, particularly relating to family matters and her own marriage circumstances. She is recorded to have been:
- Devoted to dhikr (remembrance of Allah). The Prophet ﷺ once visited her after Fajr and found her still seated in her place of prayer doing dhikr; he returned hours later and she was still in the same position. He taught her that four phrases said three times each were equivalent in reward to her hours of dhikr (Sahih Muslim 2726).
- Generous and grateful.
- Quietly devout rather than publicly visible.
Her later years
After the Prophet ﷺ's death in 11 AH, Juwairia remained in Madinah as one of the Mothers of the Believers, in compliance with the Quranic prohibition on the wives of the Prophet remarrying after his death (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:53). She lived another 45 years, dying in 56 AH (676 CE) at around age 65. She is buried in al-Baqi cemetery in Madinah.
What British Muslim families can take from Juwairia's life
- Marriage as liberation, not just personal commitment. Juwairia's marriage to the Prophet ﷺ liberated her entire tribe. UK Muslim marriages can carry similar weight beyond just the couple — uniting families, bringing communities together, transforming relationships.
- Captivity is not the end of the story. Juwairia went from prisoner to Mother of the Believers in a few weeks. UK Muslim children should know that no situation is terminal in Allah's plan.
- Quiet devotion is praised. The Prophet ﷺ commended her for her dhikr and quiet character. UK Muslim girls who are not naturally extroverted have prophetic precedent for being respected and influential through quiet practice.
- Mercy in victory. The Muslim community freed 100 captives because of Juwairia's marriage. The principle of mercy after military success is Sunnah.
- The Mothers of the Believers had different paths. Khadijah (RA) was the Prophet's first wife, businesswoman, lifelong support. Aisha (RA) was the scholar. Juwairia (RA) was the bridge between communities through her marriage. UK Muslim girls should know the Sahabah women were diverse in their journeys and contributions.
How Eaalim teaches the Mothers of the Believers
The lives of the Mothers of the Believers, including Juwairia (RA), are part of standard Eaalim curriculum — integrated into Quran lessons when relevant ayahs come up. Eaalim's online lessons are 30 minutes (15-20 for under-7s), GMT/BST, in pounds, free real trial. Start here.
Frequently asked questions
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Juwairia bint al-Harith (608-676 CE / 14 BH-56 AH) was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — one of the Mothers of the Believers. She was the daughter of Al-Harith ibn Abi Dirar, a chief of the Banu Mustaliq tribe. She was captured as a prisoner of war after the Battle of Banu Mustaliq in 5 AH (626 CE), then married the Prophet (peace be upon him), which led to the liberation of approximately 100 captives from her tribe.
After the Battle of Banu Mustaliq in 5 AH, Juwairia was among the prisoners of war. As a chief's daughter, she was distressed at her captivity and sought the Prophet's (peace be upon him) help with her ransom. He proposed marriage instead. She accepted Islam and the marriage. The Prophet (peace be upon him) paid her ransom, freed her, and married her. The marriage was both a personal commitment and a strategic act of mercy that transformed her tribe's relationship with the Muslim community.
When the Muslim community learned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had married Juwairia — making the Banu Mustaliq prisoners now in-laws through marriage — they freed approximately 100 of their captives out of respect for the new family relationship. Aisha (RA) said about her: 'I have never seen a woman who was a greater blessing to her tribe than Juwairia.' Through her single marriage, an entire tribe was liberated from captivity.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) once visited Juwairia after Fajr and found her seated in her place of prayer doing dhikr. He returned hours later and she was still in the same position doing dhikr. He told her: 'I said four phrases three times after leaving you, which if weighed against what you have said since the morning, would outweigh it: Subhanallahi wa bi-hamdihi 'adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinata 'arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi' (Glory and praise to Allah, equal to the number of His creation, equal to His pleasure, equal to the weight of His Throne, equal to the ink of His words) (Sahih Muslim 2726).
Yes — all the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) hold the title 'Mothers of the Believers' (Ummahat al-Mu'minin), based on Surah Al-Ahzab 33:6: 'The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.' Juwairia was among the eleven women officially recorded as the Prophet's wives (some entered through the slave-status route from later treaties; Juwairia entered as a free Muslim woman after her formal release from captivity). She lived as a Mother of the Believers for 45 years after the Prophet's death.
The Battle of Banu Mustaliq (also called the Battle of al-Muraysiʿ) took place in 5 AH (626 CE). The Banu Mustaliq, under Juwairia's father's leadership, planned an attack against the Muslim community in Madinah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) launched a pre-emptive expedition to the well of al-Muraysiʿ. The Muslims defeated the Banu Mustaliq decisively. Several hundred members of the tribe, including Juwairia, were taken as prisoners of war. The aftermath — through Juwairia's marriage — resulted in their liberation.
Each had a different path. Khadijah (RA) was the Prophet's first wife, businesswoman, lifelong support — covered in our UK profile. Aisha (RA) was the scholar — covered in our UK profile. Hafsa (RA), Umm Salamah (RA), Zaynab bint Jahsh (RA), Maymunah (RA), and Safiyya bint Huyayy (RA) had different roles and paths. Juwairia (RA) was the bridge between communities through her marriage — uniting Banu Mustaliq with the Muslim community. UK Muslim girls should know the Sahabah women were diverse in their journeys and contributions.
Yes — she narrated several hadith, particularly relating to family matters, her marriage circumstances, and her devotion to dhikr. The famous Sahih Muslim 2726 hadith about the four equivalent dhikr phrases comes from her narration. While not as prolific as Aisha (RA, 2,210 hadith), Juwairia's narrations are accepted and quoted in major hadith collections.
In al-Baqi cemetery in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, where most of the Sahabah and Mothers of the Believers (other than Aisha and Khadijah) are buried. She died in 56 AH (676 CE) at around age 65, having lived as one of the Mothers of the Believers for 45 years after the Prophet's (peace be upon him) death. Visiting al-Baqi cemetery during Hajj or Umrah is a way for British Muslim pilgrims to remember the Mothers of the Believers.
Tell her story — capture, marriage proposal, the liberation of 100 captives. The narrative is dramatic and engaging. For older children, discuss the dhikr hadith and what it teaches about quality of remembrance over quantity. Connect her story to the broader Mothers of the Believers theme — UK Muslim girls deserve to know the Sahabah women were diverse and influential in different ways. Eaalim teachers integrate these biographies into Quran lessons. Free 30-minute trial: https://eaalim.com/free-trial
