Zayd Ibn Harithah - Early Life

Early Life

Zayd bin Harith was the son of Harith, of the Makhdhoom tribe that lived to the north of Mecca. During a raid, raiders had captured the boy, Zayd. He was taken as a slave and sold at the great fair of Ukaz. At the festival of Ukaz, Zayd along with a few other slaves were purchased by Hakim bin Hizam and taken back to Mecca. Hakim bin Hizam then offered to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the wife of Muhammad, to choose any slave for herself. She chose Zayd, who was then taken to her household. On the occasion of her marriage to Muhammad, Muhammad had set free his slave Baraka. Baraka was a slave woman who was owned by the late father of Muhammad, Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib. After the passing away of his father, this slave Baraka, had come into the custody of Muhammad. He had set her free on the occasion of marriage to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. He often referred to (Baraka) her as his ummi (mother) in later days. Also on the occasion of marriage, Khadijah had given Zayd as a gift to her new husband.

On one occasion, some people of Makhdhoom were passing through Mecca. Zayd, having seen his own people, composed some poetry, which he left with them to take home to his family. Zayd's father and uncle were searching for their son and nephew and when they received the news of him along with this poetry. They immediately set out for Mecca. Upon entering Mecca, they were informed of Muhammad (in whose custody Zayd was), and set out to find Muhammad. Upon meeting Muhammad, Muhammad first asked Zayd to confirm the identity of these men. After Zayd confirmed the identity of his father and uncle, they offered to pay any price Muhammad wished for Zayd. However, Muhammad presented another offer. He offered a choice to Zayd, that if he wished, he could leave with his father and uncle for no fee, but if he chose to remain in Mecca, he would remain in the custody of Muhammad (as a slave) and his father and uncle would return without dispute.

Zayd, a young man of tender age, surprised everyone, by choosing slavery at the hands of Muhammad over freedom and being re-united with his family. This came as a shock to his father and uncle, who had no choice but to accept the decision of this young man.

Muhammad then set out for the Kabah, where he proclaimed his manumitting (freeing) and adoption of Zayd as his own son. This action of Zayd was very heart moving and beloved to Muhammad.

Zayd was the natural son of a man named Harithah and was adopted by Muhammad. Many years later Harithah found Zayd and asked if his son wanted to go home with him. Zayd said no and that he would stay due to the great love that Muhammad had shown him. Little is known of Zayd's natural father. Some sources say that Harithah was descended from the Arab poet Imru' al-Qais. One or more of his ancestors may have been of African descent, as he is said to have had very dark skin.

Zayd is said to have been captured in an inter-tribal war and sold as a slave. He was given as a present to Muhammad's first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She gave him to Muhammad as a present and he freed him and treated him as a son. He was then known as Zayd ibn Muhammad (Zayd son of Muhammad). He lived with Muhammad and Khadijah in their household in the city of Mecca in the Hejaz region of western Arabia.