People › Thuwayba

Thuwayba

Historical figure

Birth date unknown · d. c. 628 CE · Makkah

Overview

Woman who nursed Muhammad ﷺ before Halima al-Sa‘diyya.

Category: Historical figure
Period: Birth date unknown · d. c. 628 CE

An early caregiver

Thuwayba nursed Muhammad ﷺ before he was placed with Halima. The biographies identify her as an enslaved woman in Abu Lahab’s household; accounts differ about when she was freed.

Sources:

Thuwayba · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam

The nursing connection

Because Thuwayba also nursed Hamza and Abu Salama, they were milk-brothers of Muhammad ﷺ as well as his biological relatives. Sources report that he kept in touch and sent her support after moving to Medina. Reports about her acceptance of Islam are uncertain.

Sources:

Thuwayba · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam

Sources

We wrote this short biography using the sources below. We explain uncertain dates and differing accounts.

Thuwayba · TDV Encyclopaedia of IslamWoman who nursed Muhammad ﷺ before Halima al-Sa‘diyya.