Wives of Muhammad

Muhammad (A.D. 570-632) is regarded by Muslims as the last prophet of God (Allah/الله). He is also a political figure who unified many of the tribes and city states of Arabia.

His life is traditionally defined into two epochs: pre-hijra (emigration) in Mecca, a city in northern Arabia, from the year 570 to 622 , and post-hijra in Medina, from 622 until his death in 632. All but two of his marriages were contracted after the migration to Medina.

Family

He married 11 or 13 women depending upon the differing accounts of who were his wives. Two of his wives - Khadîjah and Zaynab bint Khuzayma - died during his lifetime. Only Khadijah and Maria al-Qibtiyya bore him any children.

There is some dispute between Shia scholars regarding the genealogy of the four daughters of Khadija on whether they were born to Khadijah from her marriage to Muhammad, an earlier marriage, or if they were in fact the daughters of a widowed and dead sister of Khadija. Sunni's believe he had four daughters with Khadîjah.

Shi'a accept Fatimah to be Muhammad's only surviving child , while some Sunni question that .

There is also a difference of opinion regarding whether he had two or four sons. The conflict arises from some reports on the sons of Khadijah mentioning two sons called Tahir and Tayyab , and another mentioning one called Abdullah who was also called Tahir and possiblly also called Tayyab . Ibrâhîm was the only child borne to him by Maria during his residence in Medina and the last to be born. Abdullâh was born after his prophethood but passed away during his residence in Mecca. All the other sons passed away before his prophethood.

Children of Khadijah:

Sons:

• Abd-Allah ibn Muhammad
• Qasim ibn Muhammad

Daughters:

• Ruqayyah bint Muhammad
• Umm Kulthum bint Muhammad
• Zainab bint Muhammad
• Fatima Zahra

Children of Maria:

• Ibrahim ibn Muhammad

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Main article: Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

In Makkah — prior to Hijra — Muhammad lived with his wife Khadijah bint Khuwailid. He was twenty-five and she was forty when they got married. She was the first woman he married and his only wife until she died. None of their sons lived long. Their daughters were Zainab, Ruqaiya, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah.

Aisha bint Abu Bakr

Main article: Aisha

Aisha was the daughter of Abu Bakr, a close friend confidant of Muhammad, and controversial figure in the differing depictions in Shia and Sunni historical narratives. Muhammad married Aisha before the Hijra, however muslim scholars differ on whether Muhammad married Sawda or Aisha first. Muhammad married Sawda one month after the death of his first wife Khadija upon suggestion of one of his companions. Regardless, Muhammad did not consummate his marriage with Aisha for several years because she was too young, and lived with Sawda during that time.

The age of Aisha at marriage is an unsettled issue, and the subject of increasing attention in recent years because critics of Muhammad accept the majority tradition that she was as young as nine years old when her marriage was consummated believe this reflects negatively on his character. There are several hadiths (said to have been narrated by Aisha herself) which state she was six or seven years old when betrothed and nine years old when married or when the marriage was consummated . Other traditional material (hadith, sira, etc.) suggests that Aisha may have been anywhere from twelve to nineteen years old when she married. This is discussed in more detail in the main article on the marriage-age controversy.

The marriage to Aisha may have been politically motivated initially, in that Abu Bakr was one of Muhammad's strongest supporters, and the marriage strengthened the ties between them.

He was also involved in defending her during the controversy wherein she was accused of adultery.

Aisha became separated from the rest of the party while on a trip, and was brought back by one of Muhammad's companions, Shafwan ibn Muatthal. Since she had been alone with another man, people gossiped and said that she must be having an affair. Muhammad refused to repudiate her, then received a revelation that four eyewitnesses were necessary to prove adultery.

Even though the marriage may have been politically motivated, to mark the ties between Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr, most early accounts say that Muhammad and Aisha became sincerely fond of each other. Ibn Ishaq, in his Sirat Rasulallah, states that during Muhammad's last illness, he sought Aisha's apartments and died with his head in her lap. The Sunni take this as evidence of Muhammad's fondness for Aisha. Many traditions relate that during his last illness, he sought her company and died with his head in her lap.

Shi'a Muslims would disagree with the Sunni assertion of her being his favorite wife, regarding it as politically motivated.

Sawda bint Zama

Main article: Sawda bint Zama

Sawdah bint Zam‘a: He married her in Shawwal, in the tenth year of Prophethood, a few days after the death of Khadijah. Prior to that, she was married to a paternal cousin of hers called As-Sakran bin ‘Amr.

At some point, Sawda succeeded in pursuading Muhammad not to divorce her. Muhammad favored young Aisha over old Sawda, but the latter stopped him in the street and implored to take her back. As an argument, she offered to gave her turn of Muhammad's visit to Aisha. The incident is referenced in verse ^{[Quran 4:127]} of the Qur'an.

Hafsa bint Umar

Main article: Hafsa bint Umar

Hafsah bint ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab: She was Aiyim (i.e. husbandless). Her ex-husband was Khunais bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi in the period between Badr and Uhud battles. Muhamamd married her in the third year of Al-Hijra.

Zaynab bint Khuzayma

Main article: Zaynab bint Khuzayma

Zainab bint Khuzaimah: She was from Bani Hilal bin ‘Amir bin Sa‘sa‘a. Was nicknamed Umm Al-Masakeen (roughly translates as the motjer of the poor), because of her kindness and care towards them. She used to be the wife of ‘Abdullah bin Jahsh, who was martyred at Uhud, was married to the Muhammad in the fourth year of Al-Hijra, but she died two or three months after the marriage.

Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya

Main article: Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya

Umm Salamah Hind bint Abi Omaiyah: She used to be the wife of Abu Salamah, who died in Jumada Al-Akhir, in the fourth year of Al-Hijra. Muhammad married her in Shawwal of the same year.

Zaynab bint Jahsh

Main article: Zaynab bint Jahsh

Zainab bint Jahsh bin Riyab: She was from Bani Asad bin Khuzaimah and was Muhammad's paternal cousin. She was married to Muhammad's ex-slave and adopted son, Zaid. Muhammad began to call Zaid ibn Haritha instead of ibn Muhammad, which he had been called until that time, and Zaid divorced Zainab. Marrying the wife of one's son had been a social taboo in the Arabian culture, but Muhammad is soon reported to have received this verse of the Qur'an: "So when Zaid had accomplished his desire from her (i.e., divorced her), We gave her to you in marriage." [Al-Qur'an 33:37]

Muhammad married her in Dhul-Qa‘dah, the fifth year of Al-Hijra.

Juwayriya bint al-Harith

Main article: Juwayriya bint al-Harith

Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith: Al-Harith was the head of Bani Al-Mustaliq of Khuza‘ah. Juwairiyah was among the booty that fell to the Muslims from Bani Al-Mustaliq. She was a portion of Thabit bin Qais bin Shammas’ share. He made her a covenant to set her free at a certain time. Muhammad accomplished the covenant and married her in Sha‘ban in the sixth year of Al-Hijra.

Ramlah binte Abi-Sufyan

Main article: Ramlah binte Abi-Sufyan

Umm Habibah: Ramlah, the daughter of Abu Sufyan. She was married to ‘Ubaidullah bin Jahsh. She migrated with him to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). When ‘Ubaidullah apostatized and became a Christian, she stood fast to her religion and refused to convert. However ‘Ubaidullah died there in Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Muhammad dispatched ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damri with a letter to Negus, the king, asking him for Umm Habibah’s hand — that was in Muharram, in the seventh year of Al-Hijra. Negus agreed and sent her to Muhammad in the company of Sharhabeel bin Hasnah.

Safiyya bint Huyayy

Main article: Safiyya bint Huyayy

Safiyah bint Huyai bin Akhtab was a Jew captured in the battle of Khaybar. Her father, Huyayy ibn Akhtab, the former chief of the Banu Nadir, had been beheaded before the battle along with the Banu Qurayza. Muhammad married her after torturing and beheading her husband, Kinana ibn al-Rabi, the Banu Nadir's treasurer, in the seventh year of Al-Hijra.

Maymuna bint al-Harith

Main article: Maymuna bint al-Harith

Maimunah bint Al-Harith: The daughter of Al-Harith, and the sister of Umm Al-Fadl Lubabah bint Al-Harith. Muhammad married her after the Compensatory ‘Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage). That was in Dhul-Qa‘dah in the seventh year of Al-Hijra.

Those disputed as Wives

• Maria the Coptic- a slave girl sent to him by the ruler of Egypt

Maria al-Qibtiyya

Main article: Maria al-Qibtiyya

Maria was the mother of Ibrahim, a short-lived son by Muhammad. [1]

• Raihanah bint Zaid An-Nadriyah or Quraziyah - a captive from Bani Quraiza. Some people say she was one of his wives. However, Ibn Al-Qaiyim gives more weight to the first version.[2]. She was captured as a slave after the defeat of Bani Qurayza. She later became Muslim but remained a slave.

Muhammad's widows

The prophet's wives were revered as "Umm ul Mo'mayneen" or Mothers of the Believers; it was considered be tantamount to incest for a Muslim to marry one of Muhammad's widows. So far as history knows, none of his widows did remarry.

The extent of Muhammad's property at the time of his death is unclear. Although Quran [2.180] clearly addresses issues of inheritance, Abu Bakr, the new leader of the Muslim ummah, refused to divide Muhammad's property among his widows and heirs, saying that he had heard Muhammad say,

"We (Prophets) do not have any heirs; what we leave behind is (to be given in) charity" [3]

However, Abu Bakr and the succeeding caliphs did make provision for Muhammad's widows and relatives out of the proceeds of the Muslim conquests. One-fifth of the spoils were to be given to the ruler, as public funds. Part of this was devoted to pensions.

Neither the wives nor the relatives were satisfied with this decision, and there are many traditions recounting their complaints to Abu Bakr and succeeding caliphs.

List of Muhammad's wives

Name	Tribe	Status before marriage	Age	Motive	Date of marriage	Date of death
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid	Banu Asad	widow	25-40 (disputed)		married in 595	died 619
Sawada bint Zama	Banu Abd Shams	widow	65	Charity, old/poor widowed returned emigree from Abyssinia	married soon after 619	died after Muhammad
Aisha	Banu Taim	virgin	6-19 (disputed)	Cement relations with Abu Bakr. Disputed.	married in 622	died after Muhammad
Hafsa bint Umar	Banu Adi	widow		Cement relations with Umar	married circa 624-625	died after Muhammad
Zaynab bint Khuzayma	Banu ?	widow			married circa 626-627	died soon afterwards
Umm Salama	Banu Umayyah	widow	approx. 65	political	married in 626	died after Muhammad
Zaynab bint Jahsh	Banu ?	widow and divorcee		differing views	married circa 625-627	died after Muhammad
Juwayriya bint al-Harith	Banu Mustaliq	widow		possibly political	married circa 627-628	died after Muhammad
Umm Habibah	Banu Umayyah	widow		political	married 629 in absentia by the Abyssinian King	died after Muhammad
Safiyya bint Huyayy	Banu Nadir	widow		captured in battle	married 629	died after Muhammad
Maymuna bint al-Harith	Banu ?	widow	26		married 629	died after Muhammad
Maria al-Qibtiyya	Egyptian	Unmarried?		political	circa 628-629	died after Muhammad

Regarding Maria al-Qibtiyya ("Maria the Copt"): she was a slave given to Mohammad by the ruler of Egypt. Some say that she remained a slave; some say that she was freed and that Muhammad married her; the mother of Muhammad's short-lived son Ibrahim in 630

Views

Muslim view

Muslim title allas Mother of the Believers, a title given to them in the Qur'an.

Sunni view

Sunni's view that all wives were the best of woman, a view they say is supported by the Qur'an.

Shi'a view

Shi'a view that there is no merit in itself for being a wive of Muhammad, the merit is in each persons actions, a view they cite the Qur'an in support:

[33.30] O wives of the prophet! whoever of you commits an open indecency, the punishment shall be increased to her doubly; and this IS easy to God.

[33.31] And whoever of you is obedient to God and His Apostle and does good, We will give to her her reward doubly, and We have prepared for her an honorable sustenance.

Further, they quote the the chapter 66 of the Qur'an in support of the view that some past prophets wives were not favored, and are in fact in hell:

[66.10] God sets forth an example to those who disbelieve: the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut: they were both under two of Our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them so they availed them naught against God, and it was said: Enter both the fire with those who enter.

Further, Shi'a quote Sahih Bukhari to prove that the entire chapter 66 is a warning made against A'isha and Hafsa. Shi'a also quote Sahih Bukhari to state that the wives of Muhammad were divided in two opposed groupes even during Muhammads lifetime.

At the same time, they have a very favorable view of other of the wives, Khadija having the highest merit in the Shi'a view.

Monogamy versus polygyny

Muslims report that there is nothing wrong with polygyny. Celibacy is not an Islamic ideal; it is discouraged (a well-known hadith states that "Marriage is half of faith" ^{originally found in al-Baihaqi, at-Tabarani, al-Hakim and other various lesser known books of Hadith [4]} and sometimes considered psychologically unhealthy. Muslims also add that Muhammad was a man of his time, in a time when most political relationships were sealed with a marriage. Great rulers had dozens of wives, or more. (Solomon had near one thousand according to the Jewish and Christian scriptures.)

Many Muslims defend Muhammad's polygyny, and polygyny in general, as necessary and useful. Muhammad's marriages are explained either as political marriages, or as acts of charity towards Muslim widows. Muslims also believe that Muhammad brought a complete system of life, it was hence necessary to practically demonstrate the desirable characteristics of a marriage relationship under differing circumstances.

Many of Muhammad's detractors have criticized his conduct in having more wives than his followers. During the Medina period, he received a new revelation telling Muslim men to marry no more than four wives, and that only if they could treat them all equally.

Muhammad having more than four wives

While the Qur'an limits Muslims to a maximum of four wives at any given time, it granted an exemption to Muhammad from the general decree. Two died in his lifetime: Khadijah and the Mother of the poor (Umm Al-Masakeen) — Zainab bint Khuzaima, besides two others with whom he did not consummate his marriage. [5]. Two of whom were old widows with dependents. Muhammad was also barred from divorcing any wife, unlike the other Muslims who were free to divorce, and marry more.

• O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers. (Al-Ahzab 33: 50)

The Qur'an also forbade Muhammad's wives from remarrying after his death:

• Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy God's Apostle, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in God's sight an enormity. (Al-Ahzab 33: 53)

See also

• Islam

Notes

• 1.^ Bahishti Zewar by Maulana Ashraf Thanvi
• 2.^ THE SEALED NECTAR Memoirs of the Noble Prophet. Chanpter on the Prophetic Household by Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri
• 3.^ THE SEALED NECTAR Memoirs of the Noble Prophet. Chanpter on the Prophetic Household by Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri
• 4.^ THE SEALED NECTAR Memoirs of the Noble Prophet. Chanpter on the Prophetic Household by Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri
• 5.^ Bahishti Zewar by Maulana Ashraf Thanvi
• 6.^ THE SEALED NECTAR Memoirs of the Noble Prophet. Chanpter on the Prophetic Household by Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

External links

• The Prophet's Multiple Marriages: Why?
• Wisdom Behind Prophet Muhammad’s Plural Marriages
• Why He Had More Than One Wife
• Marriages of Prophet Muhammad - understanding-islam.com
• Why is not the Prophet the Perfect Example in Marriages?
• The life of Rasûlullâh
• Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) (comprehensive and authoritative modern biography of the prophet)
• The Wives of Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir