IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMAC~L IBN KATH~R 97This tradition firmly establishes that his betrothal to 'A'isha preceded his mar-
riage to Sawda, daughter of Zam'a.
However, he did consummate marriage with Sawda in Mecca, whereas that
with 'A'isha was postponed until Medina, in the second year (after the hegira) as
indicated above and hereafter.
Imzm Ahmad stated, "Aswad related to us, that it was related to him from
Shurayk, from Hishgm, from his father, from 'A'isha, who said, 'When Sawda
grew old and she gave to me the day assigned to her, the Messenger of God
(SAAS) shared the day given to me (by her) with his other wives. She was the
first woman with whom he contracted marriage after myself."'
Imw Abad stated, "Abn al-Nadr related to us, quoting 'Abd al-Hamid,
Shahr and 'Abd all^ b. 'Abbs, that the Messenger of God (SAAS) became
engaged to a woman from his people whose name was Sawda; she was a woman
with many children, having some five or six from her husband who had died.
The Messenger of God (SAAS) asked her, 'Is there something holding you back
from me?' She replied, LO Prophet of God, nothing prevents you from being the
most beloved of mankind to me. But I would do you honour by preventing these
boys from being at your head morning and night!'
"'Does anything else keep you from me?' he asked. 'No, I swear,' she replied.
The Messenger of God (SAAS) then told her, 'God have mercy on you! The
best of women ride on old camels; isn't that appropriate? The women of Quraysh
are kind to a boy when young and they also take care of their husband however
they can! "'
I observe that her husband before him was al-Sakm b. 'Amr, brother of Suhayl
b. 'Amr. He had accepted Islam and gone into exile to Abyssinia, as we reported
before. He had then returned to Mecca and died there before the emigration, God
he pleased with hi!
All these accounts indicate that the marriage contract with 'A'isha was prior to
that with Sawda, this being the statement of 'Abd All~h b. Muhammad b.
Wqayl. Yanus also related this from al-Zuhri.
Ibn 'Abd al-Barr preferred the contract with Sawda to have preceded that
with 'A'isha; he related this from Qamda and Abn Wbayd.
He stated, "Wqayl related it from al-Zuhri."Reference has previously been given to the death of Abn Tdib, the uncle of the
Messenger of God (SAAS), and to his having been a supporter and defender of
his, with all the moral, hancial, verbal and practical help he could give.
When he died, foolish men of Quraysh were emboldened and engaged in such
actions against him that they had not previously been able to undertake.
As al-Bayhaqi reported from al-Haim, from al-Asamm: "Muhammad b.
Ishgq al-San%ni related to us, from Yiisuf b. Bahlnl, from 'Abd Allah h. Idris,