Maymuna bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها), originally named Barrah, was among the honored wives of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and is remembered as Umm al-Mu’minīn, the Mother of the Believers. Born into the noble Qurayshi tribe of Banu Hilal, she was the daughter of al-Harith ibn Hazn and Hind bint Auf. Her mother was Hind bint Awf, from whom she inherited strong values of piety. Her family was known for its deep ties to the Muslim community; her sisters and relatives were married into households of key partners, making her lineage one of respect in the advent of Islam.
She first carried the name Barrah but later, upon marriage to the Prophet, she changed her name to Maymunah (meaning “blessed” or “good tidings”). This was described as a blessed wedding, a sign of divine blessings in her life with the Messenger of Allah.
Family Connections and Relatives
The family of bint al-Harith رضي الله عنها was remarkably connected to the earliest Muslims. Her sister Lubaba bint al-Harith (Umm al-Fadl) was the wife of al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet. From this marriage came the famous mother of Abdullah ibn Abbas, who became one of the greatest scholars of Islam. Maymunah thus became the maternal aunt of Abbas, and many companions praised Maymunah for her piety.
Her other sisters included Zaynab bint al-Harith, Salma bint Umays, and Asma bint Umays, each of whom had ties to figures such as Abi Talib, Ja’far ibn Abi Talib, and Abu Bakar. Even Ali and later ibn Abi Talib’s household were connected by these bonds. These alliances ensured Maymunah’s home was always close to the leaders of Islam. She was also related to Zaynab bint Khuzayma, sometimes written as Khuzayma, another wife of the Prophet Muhammad, remembered for her generosity.
Marriage to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The marriage to Maymuna took place in the 7th year after Hijrah (629 CE). The Prophet had returned to Makkah for the Umrah of Qadar after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. At Sarif, near Makkah, she married the Prophet in what many historians saw as the first time in seven years he was able to enter the city for worship.
This marriage was symbolic, as it reflected reconciliation with the Quraysh during a sensitive moment in Islamic history. It also represented kinship, as Abd al-Muttalib and her brother-in-law Abbas played a significant role in arranging it. Sources even mention companions such as Mas’ud ibn Amr Thaqafi, Amr, and Huwaytib Abd al-Uzza in the accounts.
It is noteworthy that this union came alongside others such as with Zaynab Khuzaymah, making Maymunah the last spouse of the Prophet, often referred to as the last wife of the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic history.
Life With the Prophet ﷺ
As the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, Maymunah lived a life of simplicity in Madinah. Though she was the last wife, she was deeply devoted and respected. She accompanied the Prophet worship and observed his actions during Hajj and Umrah.
Her home became a place of learning where she taught partners, and she is recorded to have transmitted traditions later preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. This made her narrations invaluable to Islamic scholarship.
Narrations and Contributions
She narrated hadiths describing the Nabi’s daily life, his ghusl, his salah, and his interactions. Her nephew Abdullah ibn Abbas often narrated on her authority. Alongside Aisha, Umm al-Fadl, and Salma bint, she ensured the Sunnah was transmitted accurately.
Her narrations were vital for preserving Islam and guiding the next generation of companions and scholars.
Piety and Worship
Known for her devotion, Maymuna bint al-Harith engaged constantly in Salah, Qur’an recitation, fasting, and charitable giving. She joined the Prophet ﷺ in his final Hajj and witnessed his dedication to the rites of pilgrimage. Her narrations highlight details about Hajj and Umrah, which continue to guide followers today.
Her home became an Islamic educational hub for associate, imams, and followers who sought to learn directly from the wives of the Prophet. She embodied the role of a associate and supporter, offering spiritual insight and practical lessons on how to live faithfully.
Passing of Maymunah bint al-Harith
Maymuna died in the year 51 AH (around 671 CE) at the age of 60, though some traditions note she may have reached the age of 80. According to reports, she passed away in Dhul Hijjah, in the same place where she had been married Maymuna to the Prophet.
The grave of Maymuna bint al-Harith lies in Sarif, not far from Mecca. Her funeral was led by ibn Abd Allah ibn Abbas, who honored her. She was laid to rest with dignity, marking her as one of the noble Mothers of the Believers.
Legacy as Mother of the Believers
Her legacy is remembered for her religious significance, her hadiths, and her family ties. She was among those who helped the religion spread by strengthening alliances. Historians record that during her life, Allah even revealed the following verse, which scholars link symbolically to her marriage.
Her piety and position meant she is always remembered with love by Muslims, especially when visiting her grave near Makkah. Her story also recalls how people around her, like Huwaytib ibn and others, later came to embrace the Islamism.
Through her, figures like ibn Amr al-Thaqafi and her household transmitted lessons to the ummah. By her death, she had become a unifying figure for partners such as Umar ibn al-Khattab, Abu Bakr, and scholars of Medina.
Relationship with Other Wives
Maymunah’s life was intertwined with that of other wives of the Prophet, such as Aisha رضي الله عنها, Hafsa bint Umar, and Umm Salama. Together, they preserved the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, each describing unique aspects of his teachings. While Aisha was known for her vast knowledge of act, and Umm Salama for her wisdom.
This diversity of knowledge ensured that the Islamic institute of hadith was rich, authentic, and preserved from multiple perspectives. It also highlights how women in the Prophet’s life played an essential role as associate , teachers, and narrators.
Her Marriage and Its Symbolism
The marriage of Maymuna to the Prophet ﷺ took place in the 7th year after Hijrah, after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, during a time when Islam was gaining recognition. The marriage was not just personal, it was deeply symbolic. It represented reconciliation, strengthened kinship ties, and showcased the Prophet’s ﷺ wisdom in building alliances through respect and trust.
This union emphasized how Islamism valued family, community, and harmony. By marrying into noble Quraysh families, the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated the importance of unity in spreading the message.
Historical and Social Context of Maymuna’s Era
The life of Maymuna bint al-Harith unfolded during one of the most transformative periods in Arabian history. The 7th century CE saw the spread of Islam from Makkah to Medina, uniting tribes under one faith. Within this environment, family ties and tribal alliances played a crucial role in strengthening the Muslim community.
Her family background connected her to significant figures. Her father, was a respected man of Quraysh, and her sisters were married into influential households. Among them was Umm al-Fadl, wife of Abbas ibn Abd al Muttalib, and Asma bint Umays, who was married to Jafar ibn Abi Talib and later Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. This network placed her in close proximity to leaders, associates, and scholars.
Links to Broader Islamic History
Her story cannot be separated from the lives of other partners who shaped the early Muslim community. Figures like Harith al-Thaqafi and others from the Quraysh tribe had roles, whether in opposition or later acceptance of the religion. These shifts highlight the climate in which the Prophet ﷺ spread his message.
The inclusion of names such as Yazid ibn Harith in historical accounts reminds us that Maymuna’s environment was surrounded by men and women who would either embrace the religion wholeheartedly or take time to recognize its truth. The companions, whether early converts or later ones, formed the foundation upon which Islamic teachings were transmitted.
