Suwaiba (also Sowayba) was a companion of Muhammad and his first foster-mother. [1]
Her name means "Deserving of God's reward".[ citation needed ]
She was the servant of Abu Lahab, Muhammad's paternal half-uncle. [1] [2] She was freed by Abu Lahab when she informed him that his brother Abdullah's wife Amina bint Wahb had given birth to a son, Muḥammad. [3]
Thuwaybah became Muḥammad's first nurse, [2] after his first three days with his mother, nursing both him and her son Masrah. Thuwaybah also nursed Abu Salama, Muhammad's first cousin, as well as Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Muḥammad's paternal uncle, two years earlier: Muḥammad had said of Ḥamzah's daughter: "She is the daughter of my nursing brother." [1]
Eventually, Halima bint Abi Dhu'ayb took over the task after a few days and nursed Muḥammad until he reached the age of weaning (around four years). [1]
Thuwaybah became a Muslim when Muḥammad proclaimed his prophethood. Her son died before her, and she died in 7 AH (629 CE). [1]
Muhammad 'Alawi al-Maliki, in his Al-Dhakā'ir al-Muḥammadiyah, writes that ibn Mundah records Thuwaybah among the companions of the Prophet