The wives of the Prophet – An introduction to the life of each wife and her qualities as the mother of the believers
Ulama Institute #1
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Ummahaatul Mu’mineen, is a title given to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ . The lives of the mothers of the believers are of special significance to the Muslim Ummah because their stories serve as a reminder to all to follow the example found in the prophetic household as the perfect model for the lives we lead. They possessed complete faith in the Prophet ﷺ and they never wavered in this regard. These women were perfect examples of exemplary Muslims because they worshipped Allah Alone and obeyed all of His commands as outlined by the Qur’aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet . As we examine the life of each of the Prophet’s wives, it will become apparent that each one of them possessed outstanding character and was completely committed to Allah ﷻ and His Prophet ﷺ .
- Khadeejah bint (daughter of) Khuwaylid
She was born in Makkah in the year 556 CE. She came from a very prosperous family. She married the Prophet ﷺ when she was 40 years old and he was 25. Khadeejah was faithful, trustworthy, modest, noble, generous, and wise. She was the Prophet’s first wife and they had 6 children together.
- Sawdaa bint (daughter of) Zam’ah
The Prophet ﷺ married her after the death of Khadeejah in Makkah before the Hijrah. She married the Prophet after the death of her husband As-Sakraan ibn Amr. She was 50 years old when she married the Prophet and they had no children together. She was extremely generous, helpful, trustworthy, and good-natured.
- ‘Aa’ishah bint (daughter of) Aboo Bakr
Her father was the closest Companion of the Prophet. She was chosen by Allah to be the wife of the Prophet. She was clearly the most knowledgeable wife of the Prophet ﷺ and generally considered to be the most knowledgeable woman in the Ummah. She has narrated over two thousand narrations of the Prophet and was well known for her intelligence, wisdom, and generosity.
- Hafsah bint (daughter of) ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab
She was the daughter of one of the closest friends and Companions of the Prophet When her husband died from wounds inflicted at the Battle of Badr, she was very lonely and withdrawn. The Prophet ﷺ married her which made her his fourth wife. She was a good Muslim who spent much of her time in prayer and fasting. She was known to be a confident speaker with noble qualities.
- Zaynab bint (daughter of) Khuzaymah
She was known as Ummul-Masaakeen or the “mother of the poor and needy”, because of her generosity towards the less fortunate. She was the widow of ‘Abdullaah ibn Jahsh, the highly respected Companion who achieved martyrdom during the Battle of Uhud. Although not much is known about her today, there will be a large number of people who will testify on her behalf when the creation is called account.
- Umm Salamah bint (daughter of) Aboo Umayyah
Her father was a very wealthy man and famous for his public service and giving of charity. She was married to Aboo Salamah ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abdul-Asad who later died from wounds he sustained in the Battle of Uhud. Umm Salamah was 32 years old when she married the Prophet. She was also devoted to the welfare of the poor and needy. She was kind, wise, knowledgeable in religious matters and skillful in dealing with people.
- Zaynab bint (daughter of) Jahsh
She was the daughter of the Prophet’s ﷺ paternal aunt Umaymah bint ‘Abdul-Mut- talib. She was known for her generosity and sympathy towards the needy, as well as her devotion in prayer. She was first married to Zayd ibn Haarithah, the freed-slave of the Prophet. After her divorce, she married the Prophet. She devoted much of her time to prayer and fasting.
- Juwayriyah bint (daughter of) Al-Haarith
She was the daughter of the tribal leader of the people of Banoo Mustalaaq. She was captured after the military expedition of Banoo Mustalaaq. Juwayriyah embraced Islam along with many of her people. This allowed the Prophets to settle the lingering resentment felt by the tribe of Mustalaq by returning the spoils of war to them since they were now a part of the Muslim State.
Because of this ‘Aishah said about her: “I know of no woman who was more of a blessing to her people than Juwayriyah bint Al-Haarith.”
- Safiyyah bint (daughter of) Huyay
She was the daughter of the tribal leader of the people of Banoo Nadheer. Her second husband was killed in the Battle of Khaybar and she was taken as a prisoner of war. Thereafter, the Prophet freed her and married her once she accepted Islam. She spent her time reciting Qur’aan and through her religious practice, she developed a deep and intense love for Allaha and for the Prophet ﷺ .
- Umm Habeebah Ramlah bint (daughter of) Aboo Sufyaan
She was the daughter of one of the leaders of Quraysh. Her proper name was Ramlah bint Sakhr ibn Harb. She emigrated along with her first husband ‘Ubaydullaah to Abyssinia. Once in Abyssinia, Ubaydullaah left Islam for Christianity. She was later married to the Prophet while in Abyssinia in a ceremony witnessed by the Abyssinian king Negus.
- Maymoonah bint (daughter of) Al-Haarith
She was the daughter of Al-Haarith ibn Hazn of the Banoo Hilaal tribe. She was widowed at an early age and quickly expressed her desire to become a wife of the Prophet ﷺ . Al-‘Abbaas conveyed the news of her proposal to the Prophet who accepted it. The Prophet married her and she became his last wife.
All the wives of the Prophet ﷺ were leaders who encouraged Muslim women to follow their examples such as seeking knowledge, giving in charity and following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ .
Learning from the lesson
- The wives of the Prophet were known as the “Mothers of the believers’.
- They were all shining examples of Muslim women who sought Allah’s ﷻ satisfaction.
