After beloved Khadija passed away our Master was bereft and left on his own for some time. Soon enough, however, the absence of a female presence at home became very noticeable. 

It was during one of these days that, Osman bin Maz’s (r.a) wife Hawla visited our Master (saw), and upon seeing his need for some housekeeping, she said: 

“O Rasul of Allah, Khadija’s absence is really noticeable…” 

Our Master (saw) replied: 

“Yes... she was the mother of the children and the watchful caretaker of the house…” 

Hawla then opened up to our Master (saw) saying: 

“Would you like me to mediate a marriage for you?” 

Our Master showed acceptance and said, “Yes, surely there will be someone appropriate amongst the women…”

Hawla then asked:  

“Would you prefer a maiden or a widow?” 

Our Master asked, “Who is the maiden?”  

She replied, “It is Aisha, the daughter of Allah’s most beloved servant Hadhrat Abu Bakr.” 

“And who is the widower?” 

“It is Sawda binti Zam, a faithful follower of you and a believer in your message.” 

“Since this is so, then yes, please go and consult on my behalf with both of them.”  

­­After this conversation, Hawla went straight to Abu Bakir’s house. When she saw that he was not home, she opened up to his wife, Ummu Ruman. 

“O Ummu Ruman, do you know what goodness and blessing has reached you by Allah?”

Ummu Ruman was curious: 

“May it be good news, please tell me?” 

Hawla continued: 

“The Rasul of Allah has sent me to you to ask for Aisha’s hand in marriage!” 

Ummu Ruman was surprised, for at that time although not yet engaged, her daughter Aisha was already promised to Jubair, the son of Mu’tim Bin Adiyy.  

Mindfully she said: 

“O Hawla, please wait for Abu Bakir to come home, he will decide best.”

Soon Hadhrat Abu Bakir arrived home and Hawla informed him openly: 

“O Abu Bakr, the Rasul of Allah has sent me on his behalf to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage” 

Abu Bakr hesitated for a moment. After all, since he considered the Rasul of Allah to be his brother, wouldn’t this mean that the Rasul was Aisha’s uncle? 

He questioned whether a brother can marry his brother’s daughter, that is, if uncles can marry their nieces. 

So, he asked Hawla to find out: 

“Is it permissible to marry one’s brother’s daughter?” 

Hawla quickly returned to the Rasul and conveyed the question to which our Master answered: 

“O beloved Abu Bakr, you are my brother, both by faith and belief, but not by blood relation, hence it is permissible and legitimate for me to marry your daughter Aisha.” 

After receiving this message Hadhrat Abu Bakr was relieved, however, there still was another situation that needed to be addressed. His daughter was already promised in word to Mut’im Bin Adiyy’s son Jubair…  but nothing had yet been organized or prepared, nor had they made any attempt to establish an engagement. Abu Bakr decided it’s best to go and discuss the matter with them. When he arrived at their house, Mut’im Bin Adiyy’s wife opened the door and upon seeing Abu Bakr, she abruptly asked: 

“O Abu Kuhafa’s son, what brings you here?” 

“I’ve come to discuss Jubair and Aisha’s promised word for marriage…”

Before Abu Bakr could go any further Mut’im Bin Adiyy’s wife aggressively accused him, saying: 

“It’s obvious that you are eager to recruit my son into your new religion! You think you can take our son into your new religion by marrying your daughter to him!?!” 

Both saddened and upset by this sudden rude attack, Abu Bakr was taken aback. Just then he saw that Mut’im Bin Adiyy had come to the door, and so Abu Bakr turned to him and asked:

“O Mut’im bin Adiyy, what is your thought on proceeding with the marriage of Aisha and Jubair, are you of the same mind as your wife?” 

“Yes, Abu Bakr, I agree with my wife!” 

And so, there was nothing more to be said. This matter was settled without any further conversation, the promise of matrimony was canceled at that very moment and Abu Bakr returned home. 

Soon after, the matrimony rights between our Master and Aisha were announced and their wedding ceremony commenced 3 years after, in the city of Medina. 

Sawda, was the wife of Sekran Bin Amr. Together they were amongst those who had embraced Islam from early on. They were also among those who had migrated to Habeshistan, however, they returned back home. One night, soon after they had returned, Sawda saw a dream. She saw that the Moon descended upon her. She shared her dream with her husband and he interpreted the dream to her saying: 

“I’m going to die and after I pass you will remarry, but you will marry someone who is very noble and blessed…” 

Not long had passed when her husband indeed had become extremely ill and passed away. Some time had passed from this event when Hawla came to Sawda with the proposal of marriage to our Master: 

“O Sawda, Allah has bestowed you with a blessing of abundance and goodness.” 

“Really? And what may that be dear Hawla?”

“The Rasul of Allah (saw) sent me to you on his behalf to convey his wishes for marriage to you.” 

Sawda was very surprised to hear this, this was not something she was expecting and it was not something that she could decide upon herself. 

“I must ask my family elders about this and consult with them before I can give an answer.” 

During this stage, she also spoke with our Master once about this proposal. She had children and was concerned about this; she could not decide what to do despite the fact that her elders had given her their blessings to marry given that she also wanted this. 

Our Master (peace upon him) asked Sawda:

“What is it that concerns you enough that you are hesitant to accept my proposal?” 

“O Rasul of Allah, my hesitation is not due to anything of major fault or of doubt, however, I am afraid that my children may disturb or trouble you and this makes me hesitant.”

“I see, is there anything else that makes you hesitant to marry me?” 

“No beloved Rasul of Allah, there is nothing else” 

“May Allah bless you! The best of women are those who are tried and tested by their children.” 

And so, in the 10^th year of his Risalah, in the month of Ramadan, our Master (saw) and Sawda (pbuh) married with a small wedding ceremony. 

It was soon after this event that the unbelievers increased their aggressive attacks towards the Muslims, so much. So that one day our Master prayed to Allah that the people of Quraish be punished. After this prayer a great famine hit Quraish, and the polytheists of Quraish became so hungry that they started to eat the meat and bones of animal carcasses. They thought that a great fog had descended upon the earth as their eyesight became blurred from hunger. 

Eventually, they fell so weak that they ran to our Master (saw) and pleaded:  

“Please pray to your God, so that we may be saved from this torturous famine!”

Our Master prayed and pleaded that they may be forgiven, and the famine soon ceased. 

Nevertheless, the Meccan polytheists did not learn from this incident and they continued their stubborn aggression, as a result, one part of the chapter Duhan was revealed, stating that the polytheists will not be left unpunished for their aggressive and hostile behavior:

Watch for the day (the time when the reality of man will become apparent) when the sky will bring a visible smoke (dukhan).

It will encompass the people! It is a severe suffering (for not having realized and fulfilled the requisites of the reality)!

“Our Rabb! Take us out of this state of suffering; we are indeed believers (now)!”

How is it possible for them to be contemplating and taking a lesson now? When a clear Rasul had already come to them...

But they turned away from him and said, “He is a well instructed madman (possessed).”

Indeed, We will lighten the suffering a little... (But) you will return to your old state.

At that time (when the sky brings the visible smoke) We will seize with the greatest seizure... Indeed, We take retribution for all offences![1]