Zunairah al-Rumiya
Companion (Sahabiyyah) of Muhammad
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Zinira al-Rumiya (Arabic: زنيرة الرومية, Zinira the Roman) (correct pronunciation is Zinira or Zinnirah, as specified in the الرحیق المختوم - The common pronunciation Zunaira, is also correct), was a woman in Arabia, an early convert to Islam and one of the disciples (Sahaba) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She was among the slaves freed by Abu Bakr.
Zunaira al-Rumiya زنيرة الرومية | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harithah bint al-Muammil[1] |
| Died | |
| Other names | Harithah bint al-Muammil |
| Known for | Companion (Sahabiyyah) of Muhammad |
| Relatives | Umm Ubays (sister) |
Biography
Zunairah was a slave of the Banu Makhzum[2] and a slave of Umar ibn al-Hashim.
She was amongst the first to embrace Islam in Mecca.[3] After her conversion, she was asked to renounce her new religion but remained steadfast.[4] When Abu Jahl knew of her conversion, he beat her.[2]
After being manumitted, Zunairah lost her eyesight. The Quraysh claimed, "Al-lāt and Al-‘Uzzá are the ones that have taken away her sight."[5][3] But she replied, "No, by the house of Allah, you are lying. Al-Lat and Al-Uzza can neither harm nor heal and they have not afflicted me. This is from Allah."[3][5]
Later she recovered her eyesight, a healing that the Muslims attributed to Allah.[3][5] However, the Quraysh then said, "This is some of Muhammad's magic."[3] When Abu Bakr saw she was being tortured, he bought and freed her, along with her companion in slavery Lubaynah.[3] Her date of death is unknown, but she died after the Migration to Madina.[6]
