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Islam Guide
Islam Guide
Islamic learning
Names of Sahabiyat

Sawdah

saw-dah (ˈsaw.dah)
Pronunciation: saw-dah (ˈsaw.dah)
مأخوذ من الجذر س-و-د: السواد، أي الاسوداد أو السواد (اسم شخصي تاريخي)
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Origin
Arabic (used in early Islamic and South Asian communities)
Meaning
Derived from Arabic root s-w-d meaning 'black' or 'dark'; historically used as a female name (سَوْدَة). In early Islamic sources it is the name of Sawdah bint Zam'ah, a Sahabiyah and wife of Prophet Muhammad; as a name it connotes strength and endurance rather than literal color.
Thematic Cluster
Names of Wives of the Prophet
Islamic Status
historical, religious, rare
Verification
Needs Review
Quality Score
Not scored
Religious Confidence
Not scored
Letters
6
Meaning Urdu
عربی لفظ سَوْدَہ جس کے معنی سیاہ، گہرا رنگ ہیں؛ تاریخی طور پر ایک صحابیہ کا نام
Meaning Arabic
مأخوذ من الجذر س-و-د: السواد، أي الاسوداد أو السواد (اسم شخصي تاريخي)
Sawdah bint Zam'ah is a historically attested Sahabiyah who married Prophet Muhammad after the death of Khadijah; she is recognized among the Mothers of the Believers. The personal name Sawdah (سَوْدَة) stems from the Arabic root s-w-d which denotes 'blackness' or 'darkness' and was used historically as a descriptive personal name. While literal color-meanings exist, Islamic biographical sources treat Sawdah chiefly by her role in the early ummah rather than a literal meaning. The name is preserved in Arabic, and appears in many South Asian Muslim families with occasional regional pronunciations. Related early feminine names include [[Aisha]] and [[Umm Salama]], who are contemporaries in the Prophet's household and similarly attested in hadith and sira literature.
FAQs
Was Sawdah a real historical figure?

Yes. Sawdah bint Zam'ah is a real, historically attested Sahabiyah who became one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad; she is cited in classical sira and hadith literature.

What does the name Sawdah literally mean?

Linguistically it derives from the Arabic root s-w-d meaning 'black' or 'dark'. As a personal name its significance in sources is primarily as an identifier of a noted early Muslim woman rather than a descriptive epithet.

Is Sawdah mentioned in the Quran?

No. Her personal name does not appear in the Quran; information about her comes from sira (biographies) and hadith collections.

Is Sawdah commonly used in South Asia?

Sawdah is uncommon today but does occur, especially among families preserving traditional or classical Arabic names across South Asia, including Sindhi and Bengali Muslim communities.

Are there respectful forms or diminutives for Sawdah?

Regional variants include Sauda and Sawda; formal usage typically retains the classical form Sawdah.