Maymuna bint al-Harith al-Hilaliyya (; ), was the eleventh and final wife of Muhammad.

Family

Her father was Al-Harith ibn Hazn from the Hilali tribe of Mecca. Her mother was Hind bint Awf from the Himyari tribe in Yemen. Lubaba the Elder was her full sister. Her paternal half-sisters were Layla (Lubaba the Younger), Huzayla and Azza. Her maternal half-siblings were Mahmiyah ibn Jaz'i al-Zubaydi, Asma bint Umays (a wife of Abu Bakr), Salma bint Umays (a wife of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib) and Awn ibn Umays. Ibn Kathir also mentions a tradition that Zaynab bint Khuzayma (a wife of Muhammad) was another maternal half-sister.

Life

Maymunah was first married to Abu Ruhm ibn Abd al-Uzza who later died. Not much is known about him.

In 629, Muhammad married her in a place known as Sarif, about from Mecca, just after the Lesser Pilgrimage. She was in her late 30s when she married him.

Maymunah narrated several hadiths, offering insights into the Prophet’s practices of worship and household life. She described his night prayers, his method of performing ablution and ritual purification (ghusl), and rules on sadaqa. One of her famous contributions includes her narration of an incident where the Prophet consumed milk on the Day of Arafah, clarifying for his companions that he was not fasting that day.

Maymunah also played a significant role in the emancipation of slaves, often offering prayers for them before granting their freedom.

Death

thumb|Grave of Maymunah in Sarif (), next to the road from Mecca to Medina (Highway 15)

Maymuna is believed to have died in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, 51 AH; January 671 CE.

See also

  • Adnan
  • Adnanite Arabs
  • Family tree of Muhammad
  • Banu Hashim

References

  • Al Islam Dictionary