A Noblewoman of Khaybar
Safiyya was the daughter of Huyayy ibn Akhtab, chief of the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir, and a descendant of the Prophet Harun, brother of Musa. She had been married to Kinana ibn Abi al-Huqayq; when Kinana was killed at the conquest of Khaybar (7 AH), she was taken among the captives. 1 Stories of the Sahabah · pp. 255 — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — Safiyya, daughter of Huyayy of the line of Harun; captured at Khaybar after her husband Kinana's death. Before all this she had dreamt of the moon coming from Madinah and falling into her lap — a dream for which her husband had struck her, accusing her of longing to be the wife of the king of Madinah. 2 Stories of the Sahabah · pp. 255–256 — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — Safiyya's dream of the moon falling into her lap and Kinana's reaction.
Her Choice of Islam
When the Companions felt it unfitting that the daughter of a chief should serve as a maid, the Prophet ﷺ paid her ransom, set her free, and gave her the choice — to return to her own people, or to accept Islam and be his wife. She answered that she had desired to be with him while she was still a Jew; how then could she leave him now that she was a Muslim? She was about seventeen, and her wedding feast was a humble meal of dates, cheese and butter shared by the Companions at the first stage out of Khaybar. 3 Stories of the Sahabah · pp. 256 — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — the Prophet frees Safiyya and offers her the choice; her reply choosing him and Islam; the simple walima.
‘My Father Is Harun, My Uncle Is Musa, My Husband Is Muhammad ﷺ’
When Aisha and Hafsa once spoke to her of her Jewish origin, Safiyya answered:
5 Seerat-e-Mustafa · Vol 3 · pp. 367–371 — Idris Kandhlawi — Safiyya's rejoinder to Aisha and Hafsa: 'my father is Harun, my uncle is Musa, my husband is Muhammad ﷺ'.“My father is Harun, my uncle is Musa, and my husband is Muhammad ﷺ.”
An Offer in His Final Illness
In the Prophet’s ﷺ final illness she came to him weeping and said sincerely that she wished she could take the illness in his place. The other wives looked askance at her; the Prophet ﷺ defended her — “By Allah, she is truthful.” 6 Seerat-e-Mustafa · Vol 3 · pp. 367–371 — Idris Kandhlawi — Safiyya offers to take the Prophet's ﷺ illness; he says 'By Allah, she is truthful.'
Death & Legacy
Safiyya died in Ramadan, 50 AH, at about sixty, and was buried among the Mothers of the Believers in Jannat al-Baqi. 4 Stories of the Sahabah · pp. 256 — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — Safiyya's death in Ramadan 50 AH, aged about 60.
Life Timeline
Born of Banu Nadir
Daughter of the chief Huyayy ibn Akhtab, of the line of Harun.
Captured at Khaybar
After her husband Kinana was killed in the battle.
Freed and married by the Prophet ﷺ
Her freedom was her dowry; she chose Islam over her people.
Dies in Madinah
Aged about 60; buried in al-Baqi.
References
- Stories of the Sahabah — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — life sketch: her capture at Khaybar, her freedom and marriage, and her choice of Islam pp. 254–256