Musaykah: The Courageous Companion Who Defended Virtue
The Story of a Woman Who Stood Against Oppression and Uphold Islamic Morality
Musaykah (also called Musayka, or Mu’azah) was a slave girl belonging to Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the leader of the hypocrites in Medina. Her story is a powerful example of how Islam protected the rights and dignity of women, even those in the most vulnerable positions.
“Musaykah – also called Musayka – was a slave girl belonging to Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the leader of the hypocrites”
The Story of Musaykah’s Conversion to Islam
It is authentically reported in Sahih Muslim and other collections that Musaykah came to the Prophet ﷺ complaining about Abdullah ibn Ubayy who was forcing her into prostitution, which was a common practice in pre-Islamic Arabia where men would force their slave girls into this immoral trade for financial gain.
“It is authentically reported in Sahih Muslim and others, through the chain of Al-A’mash, from Abu Sufyan, from Jabir, who said: ‘There was a slave girl belonging to Abdullah ibn Ubayy called Musaykah. He forced her into prostitution, so she came to the Prophet ﷺ and complained about Abdullah ibn Ubayy.'”
Musaykah embraced Islam and gave her pledge of allegiance (bay’ah) to the Prophet ﷺ, promising not to associate anything with Allah, not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to kill her children, not to fabricate lies, and not to disobey the Prophet ﷺ in any righteous matter. This fulfills Allah’s statement:
“O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their hands and feet, nor will they disobey you in what is right – then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
— Qur’an 60:12
Prostitution was one of the despicable customs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), where men would force their slave girls into this immoral trade in pursuit of wealth. One day, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, tried to force his slave girl Musaykah into this path, but this chaste Muslim woman refused. She went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to complain about her situation. The Prophet ﷺ listened to her and appreciated her chastity, praising her patience.
“Prostitution was one of the despicable customs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance, where men would force their slave girls into this immoral trade in pursuit of wealth. One day, Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul (the leader of the hypocrites) tried to force his Muslim slave girl into this path, but this chaste woman refused. She went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to complain about her situation. He listened to her and appreciated her chastity, praising her patience.”
Soon after, Allah revealed the verse:
“And let those who find not the means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah enriches them of His bounty. And those who wish for a deed of manumission from those whom your right hands possess, then write it for them if you know good in them, and give them something yourselves out of the wealth of Allah which He has bestowed upon you. And force not your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, in order that you may make a gain in the goods of this worldly life. But if anyone compels them, then after such compulsion, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
— Qur’an 24:33
With this revelation, Islam abolished this practice of the pre-Islamic period and protected women – both free and slave – from being forced into prostitution.
“Thus, Islam abolished this practice of the pre-Islamic period and protected women – both free and slave – from being forced into prostitution.”
This noble Companion, Musaykah the repentant, contributed to establishing the foundations of virtue and building a chaste society by refusing to be a tool in the hands of the corrupt and the wicked. She thus became a symbol of chastity and purity, and an example of cleanliness of soul and purity of nature.
“Thus, this noble Companion, Musaykah the repentant, contributed to establishing the foundations of virtue and building a chaste society by refusing to be a tool in the hands of the corrupt and the wicked. She thus became a symbol of chastity and purity, and an example of cleanliness of soul and purity of nature.”
Sahih Muslim · Qur’an 60:12 · Qur’an 24:33 · Asad Al-Ghabah (7288) · Al-Isti’ab fi Ma’rifat Al-Ashab
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