Safiyya bint Abd al-Muttalib (RA) : Prophet’s ﷺ Aunt and a Warrior
Safiyya bint Abd al-Muttalib (RA) was one of the most distinguished women of Quraysh and a member of the Prophet’s noble household. She was the paternal aunt of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the daughter of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim — the chief of Quraysh — and Hālah bint Wuhayb of the Banū Zuhrah clan. This made her the full sister of Ḥamzah ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib (RA), the Prophet’s uncle and “Lion of Allah.”
Ṣafiyyah grew up in Makkah within the powerful Hāshimite clan, surrounded by the values of honor, courage, and generosity that characterized her family. Even before Islam, she was known for her intelligence, eloquence, and dignity.
Marriage and Children
Ṣafiyyah married al-Ḥārith ibn Ḥarb ibn Umayyah, but he died young. She later married al-ʿAwwām ibn Khuwaylid, who was the brother of Khadījah bint Khuwaylid (RA) — the first wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
From this marriage, she had her most famous son, Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām (RA), one of the ten Companions promised Paradise (al-ʿAsharah al-Mubashsharah). She raised him with discipline, courage, and strong faith, and he grew to become one of Islam’s greatest warriors.
Acceptance of Islam
Ṣafiyyah was among the earliest women to embrace Islam in Makkah. She accepted the message of her nephew Muhammad ﷺ without hesitation, standing firm despite the Quraysh’s persecution of early Muslims.
When her brother Ḥamzah (RA) accepted Islam — after defending the Prophet ﷺ from Abu Jahl — Ṣafiyyah rejoiced deeply. The two siblings, known for their bravery, became great supporters of the Prophet ﷺ’s mission.
Her Migration to Madinah
When persecution in Makkah became severe, Ṣafiyyah (RA) and her son Zubayr (RA) migrated to Madinah (Hijrah). Like many early believers, she left behind wealth and comfort for the sake of her faith. In Madinah, she was among the respected women of the Ansār and Muhājirūn, and she remained close to the Prophet ﷺ, frequently visiting and supporting his household.
Courage During the Battle of the Trench
Ṣafiyyah’s bravery shone brightly during the Battle of the Trench (al-Khandaq, 5 AH). While most of the men were defending the city, women and children were sheltered in a fortress for safety. The Jewish tribes allied with the Quraysh, and one Jewish spy tried to climb into the fortress. Ṣafiyyah noticed him and urged Ḥassān ibn Thābit (RA), the poet, to strike him down. When he hesitated, she herself took a pole, struck the enemy, and killed him — thus saving the women and children from danger.
She then ordered Ḥassān to remove his weapons, showing immense composure and courage. – Ibn Isḥāq
This act demonstrated her bravery, intelligence, and firm faith in Allah — qualities that made her one of the heroines of early Islam.
At the Battle of Uḥud
During the difficult battle of Uhud, when the Muslim army fell in chaos and Prophet ﷺ came under attack, Safiya RA marched in the battlefield with a spear in her hand and she kept attacking the polytheists with it. When Prophet ﷺ sent Zubair RA to ask her to stop, to protect her from harm, she initially did not stop due to the rage she was feeling.
When Zubair RA insisted and affirmed that it was indeed the order of the prophet of Allah, she stopped and said – if it is from rasulallah ﷺ, then I hear and I obey! This was her piety and devotion.
She kept inquiring about her brother Ḥamzah (RA) — the “Lion of Allah” —who was martyred in Uhud and his body was badly mutilated. When she came to the battlefield to mourn him, the Prophet ﷺ tried to prevent her from seeing his mutilated body, but she insisted, saying:
“I have heard of what they did to my brother, but I came to be patient and to seek Allah’s reward.”
Her calm strength moved the Prophet ﷺ deeply. She then prayed for her brother and accepted Allah’s decree.
Later Life and Death
Ṣafiyyah (RA) lived to witness the Prophet’s ﷺ later years in Madinah and continued to support the Muslim community with wisdom and generosity. She remained a symbol of courage, family loyalty, and deep faith.
She passed away during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA), around 20 AH (641 CE), and was buried in al-Baqīʿ, the cemetery of the Companions in Madinah.
Character and Legacy
Ṣafiyyah bint ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib (RA) was known for her strong faith, patience, and unshakable courage. She combined the wisdom of an elder, the tenderness of a mother, and the fearlessness of a warrior. Her son, Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām (RA), was deeply influenced by her strength and faith — qualities that shaped him into one of Islam’s greatest champions.
She was a warrior, yet also a poet. She wrote many eulogies of Prophet ﷺ.
Her life reflected the spirit of early Muslim women who were not only supporters but also protectors of the faith. The Prophet ﷺ held her in deep respect and affection, and her name continues to be honored among the noble women of Islam.
