Amidst the battlefield of Bani Mustaliq, there lived a noblewoman named Juwairiyah binti al-Harith. Her father was the leader of Bani Mustaliq who died in the battle. Juwairiyah herself was captured and became a war captive. However, destiny had other plans. Through a sincere prayer, she not only gained freedom but also honor as the wife of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Meaningful Moments
In authentic narrations, Juwairiyah was a captive taken by the companion Tsabit bin Qais. Tsabit offered her to be freed with a heavy ransom. Since Juwairiyah had no wealth, she approached the Prophet Muhammad SAW for help. At that time, the Prophet asked her, "Would you prefer something better than that?" Juwairiyah replied, "What is it, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet said, "I will pay your ransom and marry you."
This event was not just a simple love story. It is proof that prayer and reliance on Allah can turn impossible situations into possibilities. Juwairiyah, who was initially a despised captive, eventually became one of the Ummul Mukminin (the mothers of the believers).
A Prayer That Changed History
Juwairiyah's most famous prayer was the one she recited while in the house of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. In a hadith reported by Imam Muslim, Juwairiyah once was in the mosque during the dawn prayer, and the Prophet SAW came out of it while she was still sitting in remembrance until the time of Dhuha. The Prophet said, "Indeed, I have said some words after leaving you, which if weighed against all that you have said (since morning), would be heavier." The prayer was:
> "Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, 'adada khalqihi, wa ridha nafsihi, wa zinata 'arsyihi, wa midada kalimatihi"
(Exalted is Allah, and all praise is due to Him, as many as the number of His creation, and as much as His pleasure, and as heavy as the weight of His Throne, and as much as the ink of His words.)
This prayer teaches us to praise Allah in an unlimited way, acknowledging His greatness beyond human understanding. Even though Juwairiyah became the wife of the Prophet, she never stopped performing the remembrance and prayers taught by her husband.
Lessons from Juwairiyah's Story
Juwairiyah's story offers many valuable lessons for us. First, prayer is the weapon of a believer. In desperate situations, Juwairiyah did not lose hope but rather drew closer to Allah. Second, a person's nobility is not measured by lineage or wealth, but by faith and piety. Juwairiyah, who came from a non-believing group, eventually became a role model for the entire Muslim community. Third, sincerity in prayer makes it accepted. Juwairiyah did not ask for extravagant things, but she prayed to Allah with full conviction.
Practices That Were Left Behind
The Prophet Muhammad SAW encouraged his followers to practice this prayer of Juwairiyah. It is a remembrance that is easy on the tongue but heavy in the scales of deeds. In daily life, we are often busy with worldly matters and forget to remember Allah. However, Juwairiyah's prayer reminds us of the importance of spending time to remember Allah, even for a short while.
Juwairiyah's story also teaches us about the struggle against our desires and accepting fate with contentment. She is an example of how Islam honors women and gives them a respected place. May we take lessons from this story and practice the prayer she was taught.