The Prophet's Marriage to Sawdah bint Zam'ah

After the death of Khadijah, the Prophet married Sawdah bint Zam'ah, a widow who had been among the early Muslims and had migrated to Abyssinia with her first husband al-Sakran ibn Amr. After al-Sakran died shortly after their return from Abyssinia, Sawdah was left a widow with children and without a protector. Khawlah bint Hakim suggested to the Prophet that he marry either Sawdah (for household management) or Aisha bint Abi Bakr (to strengthen the bond with Abu Bakr). The Prophet approved both suggestions, marrying Sawdah first. Sawdah was an older, heavyset woman known for her good humor and household skills. She brought stability and warmth to the Prophet's home during one of his most difficult periods, caring for his daughters and managing the domestic affairs. Her marriage also demonstrated that marriages of the Prophet served social, diplomatic, and humanitarian purposes beyond personal inclination.