O Level Islamiat P1 Wives of Holy Prophet (SAW-KN) (Mothers of Faithful)
To view other notes of Islamiat Click Here.
Role of Women
As a Wife
The responsibilities of woman as regards to man described by Quran and Sunnah are in complete accord with her femina nature.
“Men and women are part of one another”.
The Quran states:
“The (women) are your garments. And you (men) are their garments”.
Wife is the closest companion, it is a relationship which is both natural and inevitable.
The wife should remain faithful to the husband. She should leave nothing to be desired with regards to devotion and earnestness and should believe that for her happiness of both worlds lie in his good pleasure.
She should be obedient and loyal to the husband.
Prophet(S) was one asked that which woman was the best. He said, “The one who pleases her husband when he looks at her, obeys him when he demands something and does not go against his wishes regarding her person and property by doing anything that is against his wishes”.
As a Mother
The projection of a woman as the most honourable human being in the form of a mother makes it quite clear what sort of a society Islam wants to create. After Allah, mother is the being who looks after a child in every state. She is the most caring and looks after every necessity of her children.
Once Abu Hurairah asked the Prophet(S) “O Messenger of God, who rightfully deserves the best treatment from me”
The Prophet(S) said,
“Your mother” who is next, he asked “Your mother”, said the Prophet(S) “who comes next”, the companion again said “Your mother”, replied the Prophet. „Who is after that? Insisted Hurairah “Your father”, said the noble Prophet(S).
The sufferings which the mother has to bear during pregnancy, at child birth and in the bringing up of the children, has been mentioned alongwith the emphasis of expressing kindness to the parents. One can gain „Paradise‟ by seeing her well and being obedient to her.
“Paradise lies under the feet of the mother”.
As a Daughter
Islam regards daughters equal to the sons. Before Islam daughters were bruied alive. Islam enjoys parents to educate their daughters. A daughter must be treated with kindness Holy Prophet(S) condemns the behavior of those parents who regard the birth of a daughter as a matter of humiliation and insult to their family.
Daughters have the right to live like normal human beings. She has the freedom to marry and could not be forced against her will by the parents. Holy Quran says,
“A matron should not be given in marriage except by her consultation and a virgin should not be given in marriage except by her permission”.
Holy Prophet(S) said
“If anyone cares for three daughters, disciplines them, marries them and does good to them, he will go to Paradise”.
Wives of The Holy Prophet (SAW) (Mothers of Faithful)
The Holy Prophet (SAW) was married to thirteen women in his life. This act was in complete accord with Allah's will and command. His dealing with all the wives was based on justice, equality and fairness. In spite of a busy domestic life, he was able to perform and fulfill his outdoor responsibilities with absolute success.
(1) Hazrat Khadijah (RA) (556 – 621 A.D.)
Her name was Khadijah, surname Umm-e-Hind and title Tahira. The daughter of Khawalid and Fatima bint-e-Zahida, she was related to the Holy Prophet (SAW) at the fourth generation of her ancestry. By profession, she was a trader and a business-women.
Her first marriage was with one of her relatives, named Aziz bin Binaash Tamimi. After he was killed in a battle, she got married to Atiq. When Atiq died, she took control of the family business. At some point, she was in need of someone who could carry her merchandise to Syria. When Khadijah (RA) learned of the honestly and truthfulness of Muhammad (SAW), she herself offer him to take her commodities to Basra. The tour was a great success. Impressed by his character and intellect, Khadijah (RA) sent a marriage proposal to Muhammad (SAW), which he accepted after consulting his uncle. At that time the age of Khadijah (RA) was 40 years whereas Muhammad (SAW) was 25.
When Muhammad (SAW) was chosen by God as His messenger, Harzat Khadijah (RA) was the first amongst women to embrace Islam and testify the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). She stood by him at a time when everyone else opposed him. The Holy Prophet (SAW) also loved her very much and did not contract second marriage as long as she lived. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) once stated that she never envied any woman but Khadijah (RA). Hazrat Khadijah (RA) passed away in the 10th year of Prophethood. The Holy Prophet (SAW) termed that year as “the year of grief”.
Hazrat Khadijah (RA) had two sons by her first husband whereas she had been blessed with one daughter through her second marriage. All three children died in their childhood. By Muhammad (SAW), she had two sons and four daughters.
(2) Hazrat Sawda (RA)
Sawda was the daughter of Zamah and Shamoos. She belonged to the Quraish tribe Amir bin Lvee.
Her first marriage was with Sakran bin Amr. After his death, she lived in Makkah. Harzat Khaula bint-e-Hakeem (RA) suggested to the Holy Prophet (SAW) to get married to Hazrat Sawda. The marriage took place in Ramzan, 10th year of Prophethood. She did not have any children by Muhammad (SAW) but had a son named Abdul Rehman by her former husband.
Hazrat Sawda (RA) was a very wise woman and prominent due to her qualities of charity, sacrifice and generosity. She died in 22 A.H.
(3) Hazrat Ayesha (RA) (614 – 678 A.D.)
Her name was Ayesha, surname Umm-e-Abdullah whereas titles were Siddiqa and Humaira. She was a daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and Harzat Zainab (RA). She was born in the 4th year of Prophethood. Her marriage with the Holy Prophet (SAW) took place in Shawwal, 1 A.H. She had the distinction of being the only virgin wife of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Hazrat Ayesha (RA) is a great personality in the history of Islam. She had vast knowledge of Qur'an, Sirat-un-Nabi, Islamic history, art of debating, poetry, dictionary and ijtihad. Spending a long period of her life with the Holy Prophet (SAW) made her an expert in women-related issues. There are 2210 traditions quoted by her.
She was very well mannered and always remained contented. Her marriage with Muhammad (SAW) lasted ten years, till his demise. After that, she remained alive for 48 years and died in 58 A.H.
(4) Hazrat Hafsa (RA) (608 – 665 A.D.)
She was a daughter of Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (RA) and Hazrat Zainab bint-e-Mazon (RA). She accepted Islam alongwith her parents and first husband Hazrat Khunnais bin Huzaifa (RA). After his martyrdom in Gazwah-e-Badr, she got married to Muhammad (SAW).
She had the Prescription of the Holy Quran in her custody it was called Mashaf-i-Hafsa. Hazrat Hafsa (RA) was a highly intelligent and educated woman who learnt the Qur'an by heart. She often discussed various religious issues with the Holy Prophet (SAW). Her temperament was hot like that of her father. There are 60 Ahadith quoted by her. She died in Shaban 45 A.H.
(5) Hazrat Zainab Bint-e-Khuazima (RA) (598 – 626 A.D.)
Zainab was the daughter of Khuzaima bin Abdullah. She was given the title of Umm-ul-Masakeen because of her lending great help to the poor and taking much care of them. She was a generous and soft hearted woman.
Her first marriage was with Hazrat Abdullah bin Jahash (RA), who was martyred in Gazwah-e-Uhad. She got married to the Holy Prophet (SAW) in Ramzan, 3 A.H. and died just three months after this. After Hazrat Khadijah (RA), she was the second wife of Muhammad (SAW) who died in his lifetime. She had the distinction of being the first woman whose funeral prayer was led by the Holy Prophet (SAW) himself.
(6) Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA) (597 – 683 A.D.)
Her name was Hind and surname Umm-e-Salma. She was the daughter of Sohail bin Mugheera, who belonged to a sub-tribe of Quraish.
Formerly, she was married to her first cousin Hazrat Abdullah (RA). He died in 4 A.H after getting badly injured in Gazwah-e-Badr. Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA) had four children by her first husband. Her marriage with Muhammad (SAW) was solemnized by her son Umar in 4 A.H.
Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA) was a learned woman. She memorized the words of the Holy Prophet (SAW) very fondly. There are 378 Ahadith quoted by her. She strictly acted upon Islamic injunctions and issued many edicts on religious issues.
She died last among all the wives of the Holy Prophet (SAW) in 63 A.H.
(7) Hazrat Zainab Bint-e-Jahash (RA) (595 – 641 A.D.)
Her name was Zainab and surname Umm-ul-Hakeem. Her mother Umaima was an aunt of the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Hazrat Zaid bin Haris (RA) had been a slave of Muhammad (SAW), who after being set free, was declared as a son by the Holy Prophet (SAW). The Holy Prophet (SAW) sent a proposal to Hazrat Zainab (RA), asking her to marry Hazrat Zaid (RA). The proposal was rejected at first, because a freed slave could not be accepted as an ideal suit for a noble woman. After much insistence by the Holy Prophet (SAW), the marriage took place in 3. A.H. but after a year, the situation became such that it resulted in a divorce.
Hazrat Zainab (RA) then got married to the Holy Prophet (SAW) through a revelation from God. This marriage eliminated the custom which prohibited marrying a woman divorced by one's adopted son.
Harzat Zainab (RA) was a very generous woman. She was skilled in the art of sewing and embroidery. She earned her own living and also helped the poor. She had her own house, which was later purchased by Walid bin Abdul Malik and included in the Masjid-e-Nabvi. There are 11 Ahadith quoted by her.
Hazrat Zainab (RA) died in 20 A.H. She was the first wife to leave this world after the demise of Muhammad (SAW).
(8) Hazrat Javairia Bint-e-Haris (RA)
Javairia was the daughter of a rich man Haris bin Abi Zarar, who was the leader of Khuzah tribe. Her first marriage was with Musafa bin Safwan.
In 5 A.H. Haris alongwith his tribe attacked Madinah and fought a war at Maryasia. Muslims won this battle and about 600 prisoners were captured. Among these was Barra (Javairia). As a slave of war booty, she was handed over to Hazrat Sabit bin Qais (RA). Upon her request, he agreed to free her for a ransom. When she went to the Holy Prophet (SAW) for help, he proposed her to marriage and pledged to pay the ransom. She accepted the offer. Due to her marriage, all the captives from her tribe were also freed by Muslims.
Hazrat Javairia was very regular in her prayers. She also quoted some Ahadith. She died in 50 A.H.
(9) Hazrat Umm-e-Habiba (RA) (593 – 665 A.D.)
Her name was Ramla and surname Umm-e-Habiba. She was the daughter of Abu Sufyan and Safya.
Formerly, she was married to Hazrat Ubaidullah bin Jahash. When the couple migrated to Abyssinia in the early days of Islam, Ubaidullah converted to Christianity. Upon this, she parted her ways from him. She had two children from her first husband.
In around 7 A.H., Muslims learnt of her hardships in a foreign country. They approached the Holy Prophet (SAW) and requested him to marry her. He agreed to it. Amr bin Ummayya was sent to Abyssinia to bring her back. The marriage of Umm-e-Habiba with the Holy Prophet (SAW) was solemnized by Najashi himself before her departure.
Hazrat Umm-e-Habiba (RA) was pious by nature and strictly followed the Islamic path. She bore a lot of hardships for her faith. There are about 65 Ahadith quoted by her.
She died in 44 A.H during the reign of her brother Ameer Muawiya.
(10) Hazrat Saffiya (RA) (611 – 672 A.D.)
Her name was Zainab and title Saffiya, which means a woman reserved for a king or leader. Her parents belonged to two different but prominent Jewish Arab tribes. When the Jews were expelled from Madinah, her family moved to Khayber. There she was married to Islam bin Miskan, who divorced her later. Her second marriage was with Kanana bin Abil-Haqiq, who was killed in Gazwah-e-Khayber. Being a captive in that battle, she was married to the Holy Prophet (SAW) at a place called Sahba, on the way to Madinah.
Hazrat Saffiya (RA) was a very intelligent, highly educated, wise, soft-hearted and generous lady. Muslim women used to seek her guidance on women-oriented issues. She loved the Holy Prophet (SAW) deeply and also performed Haj with him. Some Ahadith have been quoted by her.
She died in 50 A.H. and left behind a large sum as inheritance.
(11) Hazrat Maimunah Bint-e-Haris (RA) ( 603-684 A.D.)
Her name was Barra. She was the daughter of Haris and Hinda bint-e-Auf. She belonged to the Quraish tribe and was sister-in-law of Hazrat Abbas (RA), the uncle of Muhammad (SAW).
Hazrat Maimunah‟s first marriage was with Masood bin Amr Saqfi, but it did not prove successful. Then she was wedded to Abu Rahim bin Abdul Uzza, who died in 7.A.H. In the same year, the Holy Prophet (SAW) went to Makkah for Umra. There, Hazrat Abbas (RA) requested him to marry Maimunah. The marriage took place at Saraf, 9 km from Makkah on the way to Madinah. Her nephew Khalid bin Waleed was also present on this occasion and came into the fold of Islam.
Hazrat Maimunah (RA) gave sermons and issued Islamic edicts on legal issues. There are 46 Ahadith quoted by her. She was very fond of freeing slaves and took great care of the poor.
She died in 51 A.H at Saraf, the very place where she was married to the Holy Prophet (SAW).
(12) Hazrat Rehana (RA)
Her father Shamoon was the leader of the Jewish tribe of Banu Quraiza. Rehana was brought to the Holy Prophet (SAW) as a war captive in 6 A.H.
Historians have different views about when did Rehana accept Islam. Some are of the opinion that it was before her marriage to Muhammad (SAW). Others believe that she became a Muslim only after she had been adopted by the Holy Prophet (SAW) as a slave wife.
She died ten years after the demise of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).
(13) Hazrat Mariya Qibtiyah (RA)
She came from a very rich and noble family of Egypt. In 6 A.H., the Holy Prophet (SAW) wrote a letter to the Kind of Egypt, Maququs. The king did not embrace Islam, but treated the messenger with respect. Maququs sent some gifts for the Holy Prophet (SAW) which included, among other things, two slave sisters namely Mariya and Sareen. The Holy Prophet (SAW) himself married Hazrat Mariya whereas her sister got wedded to Hazrat Hassan bin Sabit (RA).
Hazrat Mariya (RA) was a very charming and God-fearing woman. After Hazrat Khadijah (RA), it was only she by whom the Holy Prophet (SAW) had a child. The last of the son of the Holy Prophet (SAW) Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was born to Mariya. He died at the age of one year.
Hazrat Mariya (RA) passed away five years after Ibrahim's death.
