The Holy Prophet's (sa) Marriage to Hazrat Safia (ra)
Hazrat Anas (ra) continues, “When people came out of their homes to attend to their work, they said, ‘[It is] Muhammad (sa) – Abdul Aziz used to say that some of our companions also used to add the word khamees (i.e. army) in addition to the name of the Holy Prophet (sa).’”
Hazrat Anas (ra) states, “We conquered it [Khaybar] in battle and the prisoners of war were gathered together. Hazrat Dihyah Kalbi (ra) came and said, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! Grant me a female-servant from among these prisoners.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘Go and choose a female-servant.’ He then chose Huyayy’s daughter, Safia. Thereupon, someone approached the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, ‘O Prophet (sa) of Allah! You have handed the daughter of the chief of the Quraizah and Nadeer tribe, Safia bint Huyayy, to Dihyah; whereas she is only suitable for you.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, ‘Bring both of them here’. So he went and both Safia and Dihyah came to the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) said to Dihyah, ‘Choose any other of the prisoners.’”
Hazrat Anas (ra) relates further, “The Holy Prophet (sa) then freed Hazrat Safia (ra) and later married her.”
Thereafter, Hazrat Thabit (ra) asked Hazrat Anas (ra), “What did Abu Hamza, i.e. the Holy Prophet (sa) give her in dowry?” to which he answered, “He freed her and then married her, so her freedom was the dowry.” And whilst they were still returning from the expedition, Hazrat Umm-e-Sulaim (ra) prepared Hazrat Safia (ra) for the Holy Prophet (sa) and their wedding took place. The following day the Holy Prophet (sa) stated, “If anyone possesses something, let him bring it forward” and he lay out a leather cloth. Some people brought dates, whilst others brought clarified butter.
Abdul Aziz says, “I believe that he also mentioned sattu [parched grain of barley] as well.” He then said that this was then all mixed together and kneaded. This was the walima [marriage] proceedings of the Holy Prophet (sa).
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabus Salat, Bab Yudhkaru fil Fakhdhi, Hadith 371)
In another narration, it is mentioned that after the conquest of Khaybar, Hazrat Safia (ra) fell in the lot of Hazrat Dihyah (ra). Many companions – it was not just one companion, rather many of the companions – came to the Holy Prophet (sa) and spoke words of praise for Hazrat Safia (ra) and also that with respect to her status and rank, it would be befitting if the Holy Prophet (sa) chose her for himself, i.e. to take her in marriage. Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) sent a message to Hazrat Dihiyah (ra) and took Hazrat Safia (ra) in exchange for seven prisoners. He then instructed Hazrat Umm-e-Sulaim (ra) to look after her. Then, as was mentioned earlier, the Holy Prophet (sa) married Hazrat Safia (ra).
(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 8, pp. 97-98, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)