Introduction to Zainab bint Khuzaymah
Among the esteemed Mothers of the Believers, Zainab bint Khuzaymah holds a significant position, her story chronicled in Islamic prophetic biographies. This article provides an overview of her life and contributions as follows:
Name and Lineage
She was Zainab bint Khuzaymah al-Hilaliyyah, recognized as the Mother of the Believers. Her full lineage is Zainab bint Khuzaymah bin Al-Harith bin Abdullah bin Amr bin Abdul Manaf bin Hilal bin Amir bin Sa’sa’ah. It has also been noted that she was the sister of Maimunah, as both shared the same mother. Maimunah bint Al-Harith al-Hilaliyyah is also one of the Mothers of the Believers.
Zainab: The Mother of the Poor
Known as “Mother of the Poor” during the pre-Islamic era, Zainab bint Khuzaymah – may Allah be pleased with her – was renowned for her generosity and compassion towards the needy. Her commitment to feeding and caring for the less fortunate was evident throughout her life.
Her Entry into the Prophetic Household
Zainab bint Khuzaymah was previously married to Abdullah bin Jahsh, who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud. Some sources suggest she was also married to Al-Tufayl bin Al-Harith before he divorced her, after which she married his brother, Ubaidah, only to be widowed again following his martyrdom in the Battle of Badr.
Following the loss of her husbands, the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – proposed to Zainab. He married her with a dowry amounting to twelve uqiyyahs and some garments. Their union occurred during the month of Ramadan, shortly after his marriage to Hafsah bint Umar – may Allah be pleased with them both.
Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – married Zainab bint Khuzaymah in the third year of Hijra, and their time together was brief. She was the first of his wives to pass away during his lifetime, following Khadijah bint Khuwaylid – may Allah be pleased with both of them.
It is reported that she lived with the Prophet for approximately two months, while others claim three or possibly eight months; this brevity accounts for the limited accounts and narratives about her life, as she experienced only a short period within the Prophetic household.
The Death of Zainab
Mother of the Believers Zainab bint Khuzaymah – may Allah be pleased with her – passed away in Medina during the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the fourth year of the Hijra. At the time of her death, she was about thirty years old and was laid to rest in Al-Baqi’ cemetery. As previously mentioned, both Al-Zuhri and Qatada noted that her time with the Prophet – peace be upon him – was quite brief.
Al-Zuhri stated, “She did not remain with the Prophet – peace be upon him – for long and passed away in Medina while he was still alive. She spent eight months with him, or two months, or three.” The scarcity of details in her story can be attributed to the limited duration she lived in the Prophetic household alongside the Prophet – peace be upon him.