About Mariya Qibtiyya

Could you please tell me a little about Umm Ibrahim Mariya? Was she a Muslim at the time of being given to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)? If no, when did she become a Muslim? She is buried in Al-Baqi. Is she buried close to her blessed son?

Assalamu alaykum,

In the name of Allah, the Inspirer of truth,

There seems to be some difference of opinion regarding whether she remained a slave or was she taken as a wife. Both opinions are to be found among the scholars and biographers.

In the year 6 AH, after the treaty of Hudaibiya, the Messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) sent letters to the various rulers and governors around the world. The Roman governor of Alexandria, Muqawqas, sent two slave girls to the Messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) as a gift with Hatim ibn Abi Balta'a who was the courier of the Messenger (upon him be peace). The two slave girls were Mariya and Shirin Qibtiyya. On the way to Madina, both embraced Islam at the preaching of Hatim (may Allah be please with him). Shirin Qibtiyya was given to Hassan ibn Thabit and the Messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) kept Mariya Qibtiyya and married her (according to one opinion) or kept her as a slave girl (according to the other opinion).

She passed away during the time of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) in 16AH. ‘Umar performed her funeral prayer and she was buried in the Baqi'. Verification was not found as to whether she was buried next to her son or elsewhere (Haqqani Mian Qadri, Azwaj al-Nabiyy sallalllahu 'alayhi wasallam, Muhammad Salman Mansurpuri, Rahmatan li 'l-'alamin).

Her name in Arabic is spelt ãÇÑíÉ, both Mariya and Mariyah are correct transliterations.

Wassalam

Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf