Hadhrat Juwaria bint Harith (Radi Allahu Anha)'s beauty

The chieftain of the tribe Banu Mustalaq was Harith bin Abi Dhirar, who was an arrogant man drunk with his power and wealth. He had a beautiful daughter, Juwaria, who had been born just before the advent of Islam. She was brought up in the lap of luxury, and had all the refinements and graces of a princess. Intelligent and wise she mastered language and literary style. She was happily married to one of the youths of Banu Khuza’ah, Musafa bin Safwan. During an expedition set by Harith, ten people were killed and about 700 captured. Juwaria (radi Allahu anha) was one of the prisoners of the expedition and was initially offered to Thabit Ibn Qays as his share of booty. He agreed to set her free in exchange for a certain amount of wealth from her. She went into the presence of the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam and pleaded her case with him. She felt that she had fallen into dust from a throne made of gold. All who saw Juwaria were stunned by her exceptional beauty. She was not only beautiful but graceful, elegant and eloquent. The Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam paid off the amount on her behalf and married her. When the people heard of her conversion and marriage to the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam they freed all the slaves of Banu Mustalaq. Then they all accepted Islam willingly. When Aisha (radi Allahu anha) first saw Juwaria (radi Allahu anha) she exclaimed that she was as beautiful as a fairy. On another occasion she said she had yet to see a lady proved to be such a source of blessings for her people. Through her Allah blessed a hundred families of her tribe with freedom. Imam Baihaqi has quoted Juwaria (radi Allahu anha), as saying that, few days before the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam arrived she saw the moon coming towards her from the direction of Madinah and falling into her lap. Most of the time Juwaria (radi Allahu anha) would be found engrossed in prayer. On one occasion when the Prophet Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam left home he found her lost in meditation. On returning in the afternoon he found her in the same position. He asked her if she has been praying continuously since he had left. When she answered in the affirmative, he asked her if she would like to learn four small sentences that could earn her more reward from Allah than the whole morning’s prayers. He then taught her the following sentences: “How perfect Allah is and I praise Him by the number of His creation and His pleasure, and by the weight of His throne, and the extent of His words.” We should also make a habit of reciting these words everyday as for one who recites them has earned tremendous reward. There is one narration that mentions the above words to be recited 3 times. Juwaria(radi Allahu anha) passed away at the age of 65 in the month of Rabiul-Awwal, 50th year after Hijrah, and was buried in Jannatul Baqi. References: The Manifestations of the Prophet; Great Women of Islam