Seddu Sahba (SeddulBint) Elegance from the Marriage of Hz. Safiyye

Hz. Safiyye bint Huyey (d. 50/670) is the daughter of Huyey b. Ahtab, the chief of the Banu Nadir Jews. After the conquest of Khaybar (H. 7/M. 628), Safiyye, who was among the captives, fell into the share of Dihya al-Kalbi; however, Hz. Prophet took her from Dihya and set her free, proposing marriage. Seddu's-Sahba is a water source or stopping point on the road extending from Khaybar towards Medina. Hz. Prophet presented Islam to Safiyye at this location; Safiyye became a Muslim and willingly accepted to marry. Their marriage was officiated; the next day a wedding feast was held. Hz. Prophet himself officiated the marriage, and Safiyye's dowry was given in the form of her emancipation. This marriage is evaluated from several different dimensions: Firstly, in terms of Islamic legal practice that allows marrying a female captive if she becomes Muslim and grants her full wife status; secondly, in terms of the significance of this bond established with the Jewish aristocracy regarding the political alliance patterns of the time; and thirdly, in terms of Hz. Safiyye emerging as an important female figure in Islamic history with the title of "Mother of the Believers." [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, article "Safiyye", islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/safiyye; Bukhari, Maghazi 38; Muslim, Marriage 84]