The Wives of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The women who married the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SWS) were exceptional people. While they were alive, each of them contributed in her own special way to the fledging Muslim society, and their legacy to the Muslim community of today is priceless. Many of them helped to preserve the Hadith and Sunnah of the Prophet (and even the Quran itself)., and they were all devoted to their husband and to the service of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (SWS) was given a divine order to marry, in order to unite the tribes and alleviate conflict and its potentially dangerous consequences, and above all, to promote Islam. All of them were either widows or divorced except Aishah bint Abi Bakr. All of these marriages were for the advancement of Islam and not solely for passion’s sake. They were always a source of love, comfort, and encouragement for him.

The Mothers of the Faithful

1. Khadijah bint Khauwaylid: The Purified

She was the first person to believe in his message when Revelation came to Prophet Muhammad (SWS)., and she did her utmost to assist and support him with her love and money. She suffered the conspiracies of his enemies and the impact of their mercilessness when they besieged the early Muslims with a boycott. He was 25 yrs old and she was 40 yrs old at the time of their marriage. She had 6 children from Prophet (SWS): Al-Qasim, Abdullah, Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthoom and Fatimah. Their sons died in their childhood. Khadijah (RA) was granted a palace of jewels in paradise.

2. Sawdah bint Zam’ah: The widow of the Emigrant

This marriage was on the ground of clemency, compassion, and appreciation of the widow and her martyred husband’s sacrifice in the cause of Allah. Her former husband lost his life on the way to Makkah from Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

3. Aishah bint Abi Bakr: The Truth Testifier

This marriage was arranged to honor and strengthen ties with Companion Abu Bakr who had forgone everything in the way of Allah and went through great Hardships in preaching and promoting Islam. Aishah (RA) said: The Prophet (SWS) didn’t marry me until Gabriel came to him with my picture and said, ‘This is your wife’. Then he married me. About 2210 hadiths are narrated from her. A revelation was sent from Allah to prove Aisha’s innocence when she was falsely accused by the people. Refer Surah Nur Ayah: 11-19.

4. Hafsah bint Umar: The Memorizer of the Quran

At 18yrs of age, she lost her former husband, who was one of the first Muslims. He participated in the Battle of Badr and the the battle of Uhud, where he was wounded and died. Prophet (SWS) married her to give her shelter.

5. Zaynab bint Jahsh: The Noble and Beautiful

This marriage was ordained by Allah to demolish forever the tradition that took adopted children as true kin and erased their own biological heritage which was widespread among the Arabs, and to enact a law for future generations to follow. Adoption tradition affronts some principles of Islam, particularly those concerned with marriage, and inheritance, etc, which bring corruption and indecency. She was first married to Prophet’s adopted son Zaid ibn Harithah. Zaynab was industrious, she used to tan skins and thread beads, selling them and giving the money to the poor.

6. Zaynab bint Khuzaymah: The Mother of the Poor

Her former husband participated in the battle of Badr and was one of the martyrs. Inspite of her husband’s death she helped the wounded, nursed them and carried water to them. Prophet sws proposed to her out of humanitarian reasons. She spent most of her time helping the poor and listening to their tales of their hardship.

7. Umm Salamah bint Zad ar-Rakib: The Astute

Her former husband participated in the Battle of Badr, Uhud and the battle of Banu Asad. His wounds became worse after the battle, and caused his death. Umm Salamah was beautiful, noble and wise. Then Prophet (SWS) sent a messenger to ask for her hand in marriage.

8. Juwayriyah bint al-Harith: The Blessing to her people (community)

She was taken as a captive of war with Banu al-Mustaliq. Aishah (RA) said, I don’t know any other woman who was as great blessing as Juwayriyah was to her people. Because of her marriage to the Prophet sws, hundreds of her people were freed from captivity. Subhanallah.

9. Safiyah bint Huyay: The Devout Convert

She was a jew before and captive of war. Prophet (SWS) set her free and offered her a choice between remaining a jew and returning to her people or entering the fold of Islam and marrying him. She chose the Prophet (SWS) and Islam. May Allah be pleased with her.

10. Umm Habeebah bint Abi Sufyan: The Patient and Forgiving

Her former husband had converted to Christianity in Abyssinia, and died of alcohol abuse. Prophet (SWS) heard about her sufferings and felt compassionate towards her. This marriage was for humanitarian and political reasons. She spent her time learning and memorizing the Quran and learning Hadiths.

11. Maymoonah bint al-Harith: The blessed

She was Makkan and offered to marry Prophet (SWS). Her nephew was Khalid ibn al Waleed. After this marriage, he embraced Islam and led the Muslims to great victories, for which he was known as the ‘Sword of Islam.’

12. Mariyah: The Copt

She was sent to Prophet Muhammad (SWS) as a gift from the archbishop of Alexandria in Egypt. This marriage consolidated the relationship between the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt, which had started with Hajar, the wife of Ibrahim as, in the past, and promoted Islam in Egypt.

13. Rayhanah bint Zayd: The Humble and Shy

She was also captive of war. Prophet (SWS) freed her from captivity and married her.

- Most of the wives of Prophet (SWS) are buried in Baqee Cemetry in Madinah.

- Islam stresses that woman is that creation into whose delicate hands the future of the world is entrusted. Men and women in Islam have equal rights but their duties are different.

Next time when a non Muslim asks us why our beloved Prophet [SWS] married these women, we could answer them clearly. In Sha Allah. 2 years back when a person asked me this question, i was not aware of these things. Alhamdulilah now i know the background of each marriage.