Zayd Ibn Harithah

Zayd ibn Harithah (''Zayd bin Muhammad'' or ''Zaid mawla Muhammad'')(c. 578-627 CE) was a prominent figure in the early Islam ic community. As an adopted son of the prophet Muhammad , he was an early convert to Islam and later, a military leader. He died c. 627 CE at the Battle Of Mu'tah .

EARLY LIFE

He was the natural son of a man named Harithah. Little is known of Zayd's natural father. Some sources say that Harithah was descended from the Arab poet Imri'el-Qays .

Zayd is said to have been captured in an inter-tribal war and sold as a slave. He was given as a present to Muhammad's wife Khadijah . The couple freed him and treated him as a son; he was then known as Zayd bin Muhammad, Zayd the son of Muhammad. He lived with Muhammad and Khadijah in their household in the city of Mecca , in the Hijaz region of western Arabia .

CONVERSION TO ISLAM

When Muhammad reported that he had received a revelation from the angel Gabriel, his wife Khadijah believed and thus became the first convert, and the first female convert, to Islam. It is not clear who was the first male convert. Early sources mention three names: Zayd, Ali (Muhammad's younger cousin, who also lived in his household), and Abu Bakr , Muhammad's friend. See Identity Of First Male Muslim for further discussion.

Whoever was the first, Zayd was definitely one of the first Muslims. As Muhammad's adopted son he was an important figure in the small community of the first Muslims.

THE HIJRA

In 622, the small Muslim community fled persecution in Mecca and established itself in the Oasis of Yathrib , later called Medina . Zayd emigrated with the rest of Muhammad's household.

The Muslims had no land and had to live by day labor and by raiding. They considered themselves to be at war with Mecca, and saw no wrong in raiding Meccan caravans. Zayd became a warrior and at times a leader of expeditions.

MARRIAGE

It seems to have been after the Hijra that Zayd married Zaynab Bint Jahsh , Muhammad's cousin. The marriage was made at the urging of Muhammad; Zaynab resisted marriage to an ex-slave of dubious lineage, but Muhammad insisted that he had received a divine revelation commanding the marriage ( Qur'an ). Later commentators say that this marriage demonstrated that lineage was of no account in Islam, and that all were equal before God. The marriage seems to have been unhappy. Zayd ultimately divorced Zaynab. Zaynab is said to have set her heart upon marrying Muhammad. However, as she had married his adopted son, he was considered her father by traditional standards. A marriage would have been scandalous. However, Muhammad received a new revelation that only real blood ties, rather than adoption, should be considered in determining parentage and kinship (Qur'an 33:5). Zayd changed his name from Zayd bin Muhammad to Zayd ibn Harithah, and Zaynab was allowed to marry Muhammad.

DEATH

Zayd took part in an expedition in 630 CE. A Muslim force of 3000 men set out to raid the Byzantine city of Busra . They were intercepted at a place called Muta'h. The Battle Of Mu'tah was a rare reverse for the Muslims. Zayd was killed as he held the standard, as were two other leaders, Jafar Bin Abu Talib and Abdullah Bin Rawahhah .

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Zayd Ibn Harithah