The Order and Names of the Prophet’s Wives
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is regarded as the greatest of all prophets and the final one. God endowed him with numerous distinctions, one of which was the ability to marry more than four wives. He took on eleven wives, honorably referred to in the Qur’an: “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.” All of them are his wives in paradise, and the Prophet passed away while being pleased with them. At the time of his demise, he had nine wives, namely: Sawda, Aisha, Hafsa, Umm Salama, Zaynab bint Khuzayma, Umm Habiba, Juwayriya, Safiyya, and Maymuna (may Allah be pleased with them). Historians and scholars of biography have varied opinions regarding the chronological order of the Prophet’s marriages due to different interpretations concerning the determination of marriage, whether it occurs upon the signing of a contract or the consummation. Following the view that considers consummation the basis for marriage, the order is as follows:
- Khadijah bint Khuwailid (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Sawda bint Zam’a (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Aisha bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Hafsa bint Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Zaynab bint Khuzayma (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Juwayriya bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Safiyya bint Huyayy (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Umm Habiba (may Allah be pleased with her).
- Maymuna bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her).
Overview of the Lives of the Prophet’s Wives
Khadijah bint Khuwailid
Khadijah bint Khuwailid was known as the “Mother of the Believers.” She was born into the Quraysh tribe and was a wealthy widow who employed men to work in her trade. Upon hearing of the Prophet’s truthfulness and integrity, she decided to hire him, leading to an increase in her trade profits. Captivated by his character, she proposed marriage through her friend Nafisa bint Muniyya, and the Prophet accepted, with her father Khuwailid overseeing the marriage.
Khadijah was the epitome of a righteous wife and possessed numerous virtues. She was the first to believe in the oneness of Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. She was the mother of all of the Prophet’s children, except for Ibrahim, who was born to Maria the Copt. Notably, she was promised paradise and received greetings of peace from Allah and the angel Gabriel.
For more details on Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), refer to these articles:
- ((Who is Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her)).
- ((The Story of Khadijah bint Khuwailid)).
Sawda bint Zam’a
Sawda bint Zam’a was the mother of the believers. She was previously married to As-Sukran ibn Amr, who passed away after converting to Islam. The Prophet Muhammad married her three years after Khadijah’s death following Khawla bint Hakim’s proposal. During the time following Khadijah’s passing, the Prophet lived alone.
Many virtues have been reported about Sawda (may Allah be pleased with her), among which she dedicated her day to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) when she grew older, to remain in the Prophet’s embrace and out of love for him. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that there was no woman whom she desired to share a day with more than Sawda, as Sawda was known for her warm character. Sawda passed away toward the end of Umar ibn al-Khattab’s caliphate, around the year fifty-four, during Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan’s rule (may Allah be pleased with them all).
Aisha bint Abu Bakr
Aisha bint Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with them) was the daughter of Abu Bakr and Umm Ruman, the daughter of Amir ibn Uwaymir. The Prophet married her after Khadijah’s passing, following a proposal from Khawla bint Hakim. She was only six years old at the time, and they generally believed in pre-Islamic Arabia that brotherhood prevented intermarriage. This caused some concern for Abu Bakr, but the Prophet clarified that he was a believer and that Aisha was permissible for him to marry. This marriage occurred in Shawwal, three years prior to the Hijra, with a dowry of twelve and a half ounces of gold. The Prophet consummated the marriage in the first year of Hijra when she was nine. Aisha passed away at the age of eighteen.
Aisha is revered for her extensive knowledge; she was among the most knowledgeable women of her time. When companions encountered difficult issues, they turned to her for guidance. Her virtues are well-documented in both the Qur’an and sunnah, including:
- Allah’s statement: “If only, when you heard it, the believing men and women had thought well of themselves, and said, ‘This is an obvious falsehood,’” highlighting her esteemed status in faith and chastity.
- Imam al-Bukhari narrated that Amr ibn al-As reported the Prophet as saying, “Who do you love the most?” He replied, “Aisha.” When asked, “From among the men?” he responded, “Her father,” thereby affirming Aisha’s special position. Aisha passed away on the seventeenth of Ramadan, in the year fifty-eight of Hijra at the age of sixty-seven, and she was buried in Al-Baqi’.
Hafsa bint Umar ibn al-Khattab
Hafsa bint Umar, daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab and Zaynab bint Maz’un, was born five years before the prophethood. She was previously married to Khunais ibn al-Sahmi, who was martyred after the Battle of Uhud in the third year of Hijra due to injuries sustained during the battle. Umar, concerned for his daughter’s loneliness as a widow, sought to marry her off shortly after her waiting period ended, approaching his friends Abu Bakr and Uthman for proposals, but neither showed the desired response. Later, he learned they were aware of the Prophet’s interest, leading to his marriage proposal. Her dowry included a mat, two cushions, clothing, and two green cloaks.
Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) was known for her intelligence and eagerness to learn; she narrated sixty Hadiths from the Prophet and her father. She was eloquent and expressive, and her speech was influenced by the Qur’an. She passed away at around sixty in the month of Sha’ban during the year forty-five, or some say forty-one of Hijra, and her grave is mentioned to be in Medina.
For further information about Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her), consult the article: ((Hafsa, the Prophet’s Wife)).
Zaynab bint Khuzayma
Zaynab bint Khuzayma, known as the “Mother of the Believers,” was married to Abdullah ibn Jahsh, who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud. The Prophet, upon learning of her widowhood, married her in the month of Ramadan during the third year of Hijra. Sadly, she lived with the Prophet for only two months before passing away in Medina at approximately thirty years of age.
She was known as the “Mother of the Poor” due to her compassion and support for those in need. Upon embracing Islam, she participated in the Battle of Badr by caring for the wounded.
Umm Salama
Umm Salama, known as Hind bint Abi Umayya, and a Quraysh from Banu Makhzum, was previously married to Abu Salama. Following his demise, she prayed for a better replacement, leading to the Prophet’s proposal in Shawwal or Jumada al-Akhirah of the fourth year of Hijra. Her son, Umar, facilitated the marriage, with her dowry consisting of a large dish, bedding materials made from palm fibers and a grinding stone.
Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) was renowned for her wisdom, eloquence, and great knowledge. She transmitted many Hadiths from the Prophet, and some verses of the Qur’an were revealed due to her. She passed away during the caliphate of Yazid ibn Muawiya in the year fifty-nine of Hijra, reaching nearly ninety years of age. Umm Salama was the last of the Prophet’s wives to pass away, with some claims stating that it was Maymuna, while others assert it was Hafsa.
Zaynab bint Jahsh
Zaynab bint Jahsh, a cousin of the Prophet, was previously married to Zayd ibn Harithah, who was freed by the Prophet. Following their divorce, Allah commanded the Prophet to marry her, which became a pivotal moment concerning the abolition of the concept of adoptive relationships. Zaynab passed away during Umar ibn al-Khattab’s caliphate in the year twenty of Hijra.
Her virtues are explicitly highlighted in both the Qur’an and Hadiths, including:
- Allah’s decree regarding her marriage to the Prophet, affirming her prestigious status.
- The Prophet declared, “The one of you who will join me soonest will be the one with the longest hand.” The ladies questioned who had the longest hand, and the Prophet’s remark applied to Zaynab due to her active charity.
Juwayriya bint al-Harith
Juwayriya bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her) belonged to Banu al-Mustaliq. Her father, al-Harith, was their leader. He intended to fight against the Prophet to assert his authority, but suffered defeat, leading to the capture of over seven hundred of his tribe. Juwayriya came to the Prophet, seeking her freedom. The Prophet offered her marriage instead, which she accepted. The Prophet then freed her people as her dowry.
Juwayriya was known for her devotion and acts of charity, consistently supporting the needy. During challenging times faced by Muslims, she called upon Allah to unite their ranks.
Safiyya bint Huyayy ibn Akhtab
Safiyya bint Huyayy ibn Akhtab, a descendant of the Prophet Aaron (peace be upon him), was formerly married to Kinana ibn al-Rabi, a Jewish poet executed during the Battle of Khaybar. Following her capture, she was gifted to the Prophet, and her dowry was her emancipation.
She gained particular favor from the Prophet, often reminding her of her noble lineage. One notable incident was when the Prophet would create a comfortable place for her to mount her camel, showing his exceptional regard for her. Safiyya passed away during Muawiya’s caliphate in the year fifty, though some sources cite her passing in fifty-two Hijra, and she was buried in Al-Baqi’.
Umm Habiba
Umm Habiba, born Ramlah bint Abu Sufyan, had a lineage connected to the Prophet. Initially married to Ubaidullah ibn Jahsh, who later apostatized, she remained steadfast in her faith. The Prophet married her while she was in Abyssinia, with her dowry set at four hundred dinars, arranged by the King of Abyssinia.
Umm Habiba (may Allah be pleased with her) emigrated to Abyssinia alongside her husband but later remained firm in her devotion to Islam while he forsook it. She passed away in Medina in the year forty-four or forty-two of Hijra.
Maymuna bint al-Harith
Maymuna bint al-Harith was a woman of high status in her social circles, previously married twice before the Prophet (peace be upon him) wed her in the year seven of the Hijra. She was the last woman to marry the Prophet and died in Sarf or possibly in Mecca, with her burial place in Sarf at the age of approximately eighty, around the year fifty or sixty of Hijra.
Many of her virtues were recorded, and she was known for her piety and adherence to familial ties. Aisha described her as one of the most righteous and generous individuals among them.
Does Maria the Copt Count Among the Prophet’s Wives?
Maria the Copt, born Maryam bint Shamuwn, was gifted to the Prophet by the Egyptian ruler, the Muqawqas, in the year seven of Hijra. She embraced Islam and became his concubine, giving birth to his son Ibrahim.
Significance of the Prophet’s Wives
The Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) are considered the most esteemed wives amongst all.
- They were honored by Allah with revelations occurring in their homes, as stated: “And remember what is recited in your homes of the verses of Allah and wisdom.”
- Allah prohibited marriage to them after the Prophet’s death: “It is not for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever.”
- Allah referred to them as ‘wives’ indicating their significant role in the Prophet’s life: “O Prophet, tell your wives…”
Rights of the Prophet’s Wives Over Muslims
The Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) hold a unique place as the Prophet’s wives in both this world and the Hereafter; thus, Muslims should honor, respect, and love them in the name of Allah, seek blessings when mentioning them, and defend against any ill speech directed at them.
Wisdom Behind the Prophet’s Multiple Marriages
The Prophet’s marriages were a divine decree, evidenced by numerous verses, including Allah’s statement: “It is not lawful for you to have women after this, nor to exchange them for other wives, even if their beauty pleases you, except what your right hand possesses…” The underlying reasons for the Prophet’s multiple marriages can be summarized as follows:
- Educational Wisdom: Women represent half of the community and need knowledgeable figures to address their inquiries regarding menstruation, childbirth, marital relations, and other aspects specific to their gender.
- Legislative Wisdom: The practice of adoption was prevalent among the Arabs. To abolish this custom, the Prophet was ordered to marry Zaynab bint Jahsh, clarifying the abrogation of the unintended consequences of adoption.
- Social Wisdom: Marriages foster kinship ties that create harmonious relationships among communities, exemplified by the Prophet’s marriages to the mothers of believers such as Aisha and Hafsa, honoring their fathers.
- Political Wisdom: Marrying within various tribes strengthens bonds and fosters mutual support, demonstrated in the Prophet’s unions with Juwayriya, Safiyya, and Umm Habiba.
For more insights on related topics, you may refer to the following articles:
- ((The Prophet’s Treatment of His Family)).
- ((A Study on the Prophet’s Life from Birth to Death)).