Thuwaybah (also Sobia) was a female Ṣaḥābah and the first foster-mother of the Islamic prophet Muḥammad.[1]
Her name means "Deserving of God's reward". She is also known as Thuwaybah al-Islamiah.
She was the servant of 'Abd al-'Uzzā ibn 'Abd al-Muṭallib, better known as Abū Lahab.[1][2] However she was freed by Abū Lahab when she informed him that his brother's ('Abdullāh's) wife Āminah 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 own 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, Ḥalīmah bint 'Abdullāh 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 prophethood. Her son died before her, and she herself died in 7 AH (629 CE).[1]