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Thuwaybah (also Sobia) was a female Ṣaḥābah and the first foster-mother of the Islamic prophet Muḥammad. [1]

Her name means "Deserving of God's reward". She is also known as Thuwaybah al-Islamiah.

Biography

She was the servant of 'Abd al-'Uzzā ibn 'Abd al-Muṭallib, better known as Abū Lahab. [1] [2] However she was freed by Abū Lahab when she informed him that his brother's ( 'Abdullāh's) wife Āminah had given birth to a son Muḥammad. [3]

Thuwaybah became Muḥammad's first nurse, [2] after his first three days with his mother, nursing both him and her own son Masrah. Thuwaybah also nursed Abu Salama, Muhammad's first cousin; as well as Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Muḥammad's paternal uncle, two years earlier: Muḥammad had said of Ḥamzah's daughter: "She is the daughter of my nursing brother." [1]

Eventually, Ḥalīmah bint 'Abdullāh took over the task after a few days and nursed Muḥammad until he reached the age of weaning (around four years). [1]

Thuwaybah became a Muslim when Muḥammad proclaimed prophethood. Her son died before her, and she herself died in 7 AH (629 CE). [1]

See also

The Shaykh of the Ḥaram - Muḥammad al-'Alawi al-Mālikī in his Al-Dhakā'ir al-Muḥammadiyah writes that the Hadith Master (muḥaddith) Ibn Mundah records Thuwaybah among the Ṣaḥābah.

References