In Arabian society during the 6th century, it was common practice for newborn children, especially from noble families, to be given to wet nurses from the desert tribes. This tradition allowed the child to grow up in a healthy desert environment, away from the diseases of the crowded city, and to develop strong language skills in pure Arabic. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who would later be the final Messenger of Allah, was also raised according to this custom.
The most famous of his wet nurses was Ḥalīmah bint Abī Dhuʾayb al-Saʿdiyyah, from the tribe of Banū Saʿd ibn Bakr.
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Why Did Quraysh Send Their Children to Wet Nurses?
Before discussing Ḥalīmah, it is important to understand the cultural background. Makkah, being a center of trade and pilgrimage, was crowded and often exposed to diseases. The desert tribes, on the other hand, lived in open spaces with cleaner air and a tougher, more natural lifestyle.
Families from Quraysh would therefore entrust their children to Bedouin women, who would nurse them and raise them in the desert during their early years. This gave the children both physical strength and fluency in the pure Arabic language.
Thus, when Muhammad ﷺ was born, his mother Āminah also followed this tradition and entrusted him to a wet nurse.
The Coming of Ḥalīmah al-Saʿdiyyah:
Ḥalīmah was a woman from the tribe of Banū Saʿd, known for their eloquence and strength. She and other women from her tribe came to Makkah seeking children to nurse. However, because Muhammad ﷺ was an orphan with no father to provide wealth or support, most wet nurses refused to take him.
Ḥalīmah herself was hesitant at first, but since she had not found any other child, she accepted Muhammad ﷺ. From the moment she took him, blessings began to fill her life. She later recalled how her once weak camel became strong, her milk supply increased, and her family’s poverty turned into ease. She realized that this child was no ordinary child.
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The Childhood of the Prophet ﷺ with Ḥalīmah:
Under Ḥalīmah’s care, Muhammad ﷺ grew strong, healthy, and well-mannered. He spent several years in the desert, learning pure Arabic and experiencing the simplicity of desert life. This upbringing shaped his character, teaching him patience, resilience, and closeness to nature.
One of the most famous incidents during this period was the “splitting of the chest” (shaqq al-ṣadr). According to authentic narrations, two angels came to the young boy, opened his chest, and washed his heart with Zamzam water, removing any trace of evil or impurity. Though his wet nurse was initially frightened, this was part of Allah’s preparation for His future Messenger.
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Other Women Who Nursed the Prophet ﷺ:
While Ḥalīmah was the most famous wet nurse, she was not the only one. Historical sources mention other women who breastfed Muhammad ﷺ:
1. Thuwaybah – A servant of Abū Lahab (the Prophet’s uncle). She breastfed him for a short time before Ḥalīmah.
2. Ḥalīmah al-Saʿdiyyah – His main wet nurse, who raised him for several years.
This means the Prophet ﷺ had milk relations (raḍāʿah), which were significant in Islamic law because milk kinship creates family bonds similar to blood relations.
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The Return to His Mother:
After spending about four years with Ḥalīmah, Muhammad ﷺ was returned to his mother Āminah. By then, he had grown into a healthy and intelligent child, prepared for the next stages of his life. The love and blessings of Ḥalīmah remained with him, and he never forgot her kindness. Later in life, when he became Prophet, he honored Ḥalīmah and her family, treating them as part of his own.
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Lessons from the Story of His Wet Nurse:
1. Allah’s Protection – Even in infancy, Allah surrounded His Messenger with care and blessings. The story of Ḥalīmah shows that Allah prepared Muhammad ﷺ from the very beginning.
2. Value of Orphans – Though Muhammad ﷺ was an orphan and initially rejected, he turned out to be the greatest blessing for Ḥalīmah’s family. This teaches us that orphans should never be underestimated or neglected.
3. Language and Upbringing Matter – Growing up in the desert allowed the Prophet ﷺ to learn pure Arabic and develop strength. This shows the importance of environment in shaping a child’s character.
4. Honoring Kindness – The Prophet ﷺ remembered Ḥalīmah with gratitude throughout his life, teaching us the importance of recognizing and honoring those who cared for us.
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CONCLUSION:
The most famous wet nurse of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was Ḥalīmah al-Saʿdiyyah from the tribe of Banū Saʿd. Though initially hesitant to take him because he was an orphan, she soon discovered that her decision brought immense blessings to her family. Under her care, Muhammad ﷺ grew strong, learned pure Arabic, and experienced the simple yet enriching life of the desert.
The story of his wet nurse is more than history — it is a reminder of Allah’s care for His chosen Prophet, the value of orphans, and the blessings that come when we show kindness. It also shows us that even the earliest stages of the Prophet’s life were filled with signs of his future greatness.
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Reflection Questions:
1. Why did Quraysh send their children to the desert to be nursed by Bedouin women?
2. What lessons can we learn from the blessings that came to Ḥalīmah after she took Muhammad ﷺ?
3. How does the incident of the splitting of the chest show Allah’s special preparation for His Messenger?
4. What does the Prophet’s gratitude to Ḥalīmah teach us about honoring those who helped us in childhood?
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