Sawdah
Sawdah (سَوْدَة) is an authentic early Islamic feminine name borne by Sawdah bint Zam'ah, one of the Mothers of the Believers and a Sahabiyah. The name derives from the Arabic root s-w-d meaning 'black, dark' and in classical usage can denote dark-complexioned or blackness; as a historical personal name it is associated with resilience and early Muslim community life. Sawdah is rare today but appears in traditional Arabic and South Asian registers.
Islamic Details
Islamic Status: historical, religious, rare
Variations / Spellings: Sawda,Sauda,Sawdah
Numerology and Trending
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Was Sawdah a real historical figure?
A: 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.
Q: What does the name Sawdah literally mean?
A: 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.
Q: Is Sawdah mentioned in the Quran?
A: No. Her personal name does not appear in the Quran; information about her comes from sira (biographies) and hadith collections.
Q: Is Sawdah commonly used in South Asia?
A: 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.
Q: Are there respectful forms or diminutives for Sawdah?
A: Regional variants include Sauda and Sawda; formal usage typically retains the classical form Sawdah.
Similar Names
Spiritual and Linguistic Analysis
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.