‘Mothers of the Faithful –Wives of Prophet (SAW)

Guidelines to Attempt the Question

➢ Questions related to ‘Mothers of Faithful’ are usually given as combination of Two

or open choice to write about any TWO personalities. For such question details of
both personalities must NOT be merged and must be written separately in
different paragraphs.
➢ Question may also be given to ask about single prominent personality like
Khadija (RA) or Ayesha (RA)
➢ Answer must NOT be written with headings or points.

Following is the general outline that can be referred to answer the questions related to
all the personalities (Mothers of Believers)
General Outline
➢ Brief introduction of ‘Mothers of Faithful’ (details not required to be mentioned
if question requires details about life only)
➢ Introduction of the personality (if question is about more than one personality then
details must be written separately in paragraphs)
➢ Introduction may include brief information about early life, previous marriages
andchildren (if any)
➢ Answer must be developed by giving details about the marriage and
associationwith Prophet SAW
➢ Personality traits or significant trait (if any) that includes title or any event that
talks about the personality must be mentioned.
➢ Services for the Islam (if any) must be mentioned.
➢ Details of main significant events must be included with references of
Quran,hadith or relevant quote to support the answer.
➢ Answer must end with details about the demise. (When did they die, where
werethey buried, how long they lived after the demise of Prophet SAW)

1
 Mothers of Faithful

➢ Every mother of faithful and her life, is the role model for Muslim women of every
age. Allah Almighty has acknowledged the highest status of the wives of the
Holy Prophet SAW among all the other women of the world as the mother of
believers, in the Holy Quran. The Prophet is closer to the believers than their
own selves, and his wives are their (believers') mothers (as regards
respect and marriage).(Al-Ahzāb)

➢ The prophet's wives are called the Mothers of the Believers and thus have to follow certain
rules and regulations as women who are "unlike other women"

➢ The Quran describes the wives of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) as "the mothers of
the believers." Surely the Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than
they have over each other, and his wives are their mothers. (Surah Ahzaab:
33:6)

➢ 30-31 Muhammad’s wives, if incontinent, to be doubly punished, but if faithful, to be

doubly rewarded. Get double the reward for their good deeds & double the
punishment for sins of Observe certain decorum in dealing with other people
O wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality - for
her the punishment would be doubled two-fold, and ever is that, for Allah, easy.
And whoever of you devoutly obeys Allah and His Messenger and does
righteousness - We will give her reward twice; and We have prepared for her a
noble provision.

➢ Prophet’s wife gave information regarding Prophet (SAW)’s private life. Prophet’s
wives were forbidden to marry after Prophet (SAW)’s death

➢ Introduction of ‘Ahle bait’, which refers to Prophet’s ‘Ahle – Bayt’ (literal

meaning ‘People of the House ‘for example; Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) /wives/daughters/son in law Ali (RA) /Hassan &Hussain

➢ Common reasons of Prophet marriages like;

• to strengthen his relationship with others like companions, tribes, enemies and
companions
• to help widows
• to support destitute & prisoners of wars
• to entice their tribe to Islam

2
 Mothers of the Faithful –Wives of Prophet (SAW)
Part ‘a’ (10 marks Question)
Students are required to recall, select and present relevant facts from the main elements of the faith
and history of Islam in part ‘a’.

Past Paper Question and Marking Scheme

(a) Write about the life of the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife Khadija. [10]
2014 – Oct Nov – 12

Candidates can score high if they were able to focus the answer on the life of Khadija, rather
than her being the wife of the Prophet. Those that write about her life before she met and
married the Prophet can provide a fuller answer. Following are some details and key points
that are required to be mentioned along with the background of early life.
(a) The first wife of the Prophet (SAW) was Khadija. Write about the main events of her
life. [10]
June 2014
Candidates are required to give a detail account of Khadija (RA) as a wife and also about her
life along with the details of her association with Prophet. In the beginning students may
include the brief introduction of mothers of believers.

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA)

Introduction

▪ Birth—Khadijah (RA) was born fifteen years before the Year of the Elephant.
▪ Tribe – Quraysh (wealthy family) Her family enjoyed a high status in the Makkan society.
▪ Father – Khuwaylid bin Assad. Khadija was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn Asad, a leader
of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca.
▪ Lineage: The lineage of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) meets that of
Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) at Qusay Ibn Kilab. Qusay
is credited with establishing the authority of Quraysh in Makkah
▪ Title – Tahira (the Pure) Honorifics associated with Khadija included, “Ameerat-
Quraysh (“Princess of Quraysh),” “The Pious One,” and “Khadija Al-Kubra (“Khadija the
Great”).
▪ Profession – Successful businesswoman: She was a successful businesswoman. Her
business was larger than all of the Quraysh trades combined, and it was the most
acclaimed with a reputation of fair-dealing and high-quality goods.
▪ Khadija did not travel with her trade caravans; she employed others to trade on her behalf
for a commission.
▪ Previous marriages – She was twice widowed – Husbands – Atiq & Abu Hala
▪ Children from previous marriages - 3 children from her previous marriages – Harith,
Hind & Hala
▪ Personality Traits: She was flawless in behavior, compassionate and benevolent. God
had further blessed her with material wealth. It is said that she fed and clothed the poor,
assisted her relatives financially and provided marriage portions for poor relations. She
was said to have neither believed in nor worshipped idols.

3
 Marriage with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Employed the Prophet before prophethood as a merchant due to his good reputation.
▪ her servant Maysara went with him shared his observation with Khadija (RA) about
Prophet’s trading skills and honesty as merchant
▪ Maysarah also witnessed that two angels used to provide shade to Muhammad (Peace and
Blessings of Allah be upon him) in the scorching heat of the sun. One of the reports
suggests that Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) herself witnessed this when
Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) and Maysarah arrived in Makkah
at noon.
▪ Khadija (RA) entrusted a friend named Nafisa to approach Muhammad and ask if he would
consider marrying, he accepted after consulting his uncle Abu Talib
▪ When Muhammad (SAW) hesitated because he had no money to support a wife, Nafisa
asked if he would consider marriage to a woman who had the means to provide for herself
▪ She was 40 and Prophet (SAW) was 25 at the time of marriage
▪ A number of tribal leaders and others proposed to her after the death of her second
husband, but she did not entertain any of those proposals.
▪ The marriage then took place and the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬presented her with a dowry of twenty
camels. She was the first woman the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬had married and he did not marry any
other until after her death.
▪ Prophet had 6 children from her. The two of his sons died in infancy whose names were
Qasim & Abdullah. His four daughters were Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kuthum & Fatima. A
lady named Salma is known to have nursed all of Khadijah’s (RA) children. Khadijah (RAr)
had children from her previous husbands, whom she brought up with a similar degree of
concern as her daughters with Muhammad (SAW). Khadijah’s (RA) son, Hind Ibn Abi Halah
was among those who embraced Islam. He migrated with Muhammad (SAW) andother
Muslims to Madinah, and participated in the Battle of Badr.

Main Event (1st Revelation)

▪ Received 1st revelation - came to Khadija trembling
▪ She was first to believe him and reassured him that God would not humiliate him
▪ She took him to see her cousin Warqah bin Nawfil for guidance
▪ He confirmed him that he is the messenger of Allah
▪ Khadija (RA) was the first woman to publicly accept Islam
▪ Khadija was supportive of Muhammad's prophetic mission, always helping in his work,
proclaiming his message and belittling any opposition to his prophecies
▪ It was her encouragement that helped Muhammad believe in his mission and spread
Islam.

Her support, position and significance.

▪ Supported Prophet (SAW) emotionally & morally in the most difficult times specially after
open declaration of Islam when Quraysh became their enemy
▪ Supported Prophet (SAW) financially whenever he needed
▪ Khadijah (RA) joined Muhammad (SAW) and other members of Banu Hashim and Banu
Muttalib in exile during the stay in Shib Abi Talib she was a great support for Prophet
SAW
▪ Khadijah’s (RA) nephew, Hakim Ibn Hazzam ibn Khuwaylid used to send food to Khadijah
(RA) in Shi’b Abi Talib despite of the boycott.

4
 ▪ Prophet’s love for her caused jealousy among his other wives (A’isha). Hazrat Ayesha
once said, “I never felt jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet SAW as I did of Khadijah,
because of what I heard him say about her.”
▪ Ayesha (RA) reported that she was once irritated by Muhammad’s continued praise for
Khadijah (RA) so she complained, asking why he continued to remember an old lady who
was not so beautiful, when God had replaced her with a more beautiful young woman.(Ibid,
3821.) He replied that none of his wives was on a par with Khadijah (RA), for she attested
to his Prophethood a time when everyone else doubted him, spent her wealth to support
him when no-one else was willing to do so, and mothered his children which no other wives
did. (Ibid Hanbal, al-Musnad, 6:118.)

▪ Jibr’il is said to have sent greetings of peace to her, through the Prophet (SAW), from
God and himself
▪ Khadijah (RA) was at Prophet (SAW) service all the time. She cooked and personally
served him food. It is reported that Jibril once visited Muhammad (SAW) while Khadijah
(May Allah be pleased with her) brought him food. Jibril told Muhammad (SAW) to greet
Khadijah (RA) on behalf of God and Jibril, and to promise her a palace of pearls in
paradise, where there would be no noise or hardship. (Al-Bukhari, al-Sahih, 3820.)
▪ She was the first wife and Prophet (SAW) chose not to marry any other woman during her
lifetime.
▪ The Holy prophet declared her to be the highest-ranking women in paradise. She is one
of the four "ladies of heaven" in Islam, along with her daughter Fatimah, Asiya and
Maryam.
▪ All of the children of the Holy Prophet SAW (except Ibrahim) were born to her
▪ Prophet (SAW) said, “She believed in me when others disbelieve and confirmed my
truthfulness when others called me liar.”
▪ While Prophet (SAW) spent more and more time at the cave, Khadijah (RA) looked
after the children and raised them in the best possible way.

Khadijah’s (RA) Unique Gift to Prophet SAW

Once, Hakim Ibn Hazzam, Khadijah’s nephew, was in Ta’if when slaves were being
traded in the marketplace.
He went around the market and inquired about buying a young boy named Zayd, who
was distinct from the other slaves in appearance and behavior.
He bought Zayd, took him to Makkah, and passed him on to Khadijah (RA).
Zayd grew up in Khadijah’s household. At the time of marriage, Khadijah (May Allah be
pleased with her) gave Zayd as a gift to Prophet Muhammad SAW

Death
▪ She died after the boycott to Shib-i-Abi Talib on 11th Rmadan in the 10th year of Prophethood
▪ The year Abu Talib and Khadijah (RA) died is remembered in history as the Year of Grief
‘Aam ul-Huzn’ the two died within a few days of each other.
▪ The death of the two grieved Muhammad (SAW) enormously. These were the two who
had supported him in difficult times
▪ She was 65 years’ old at the time of death
▪ Khadijah’s (RA) nephew, Hakim Ibn Hazzam also participated in the burial.
▪ She was buried in the second graveyard of Muslims, Jannat –e-Mauala in Makkah

5
 Part ‘a’ (10 marks Question)
Students are required to recall, select and present relevant facts from the main elements of the
faith and history of Islam in part ‘a’.

Past Paper Question and Guidelines

(a) Write about the lives of any two of the following wives of the Prophet: Sawda bint
Zama’a, Aisha bint Abu Bakr, Hafsa bint ‘Umar and Umm Salama. 2012 – Oct Nov – 12
A detailed descriptions or main number of events in their lives and accurate narrative about
the wives chosen is required to be written mentioning most of the key events and relevant
quotations about them.

Sawdah bint Zamah (RA)

Introduction

▪ Tribe – Banu Amir from Quryash

▪ Father – Zama
▪ Islam – Early Muslim
▪ Previous marriages - She widow of Prophet (SAW)’s companion ‘Sakran bin Amir’ - she
was middle-aged and had son named ‘Abd Shams (Abdur Rehman) who was martyred in
Battle of Jalula’
▪ Migration to Abyssinia – She one of the first women who migrated to Abyssinia with her
previous husband who died after returning from there and she lived with her elderly father
▪ Relationship with Prophet (SAW) – He married her on the suggestion of Khalula (RA)
▪ Prophet’s second wife, Prophet (SAW) was 50 & she was 55 at that time, people were
surprised that he wanted to marry someone who was widowed and older
▪ Prophet (SAW) married one month after Khadija passed away and help was needed to
look after the Prophet’s children and also because he wanted to honour her sacrifices,
she made in early days of Islam
Migration to Madinah
▪ After settling in Madinah when Prophet (SAW) built the mosque he sent Zaid bin Harith to
bring his family from Makkah to Madinah
▪ Her house was the first to be built in Madina
Relationship with other wives
▪ She welcomed other wives into the household
▪ She was close to Aisha and in the end gave up her time with the Prophet to Aisha
Personality Traits/ Significance
▪ Known for her generosity
▪ Pious & obedient
▪ Honor of participating in 2 migrations
▪ Accompanied Prophet (SAW) in farewell pilgrimage in 10th year of Hijrah
Traditions narrated - Sawda‫ ا‬has narrated five Ahadith on the authority of the Messenger
of Allah ‫ﷺ‬, of which two have been recorded in Bukhari and Muslim and the rest have
been recorded in Abu Da’ud and Nisai.
Death – She died ten years after the Prophet in 23 A.H. during Umar’s caliphate

6
 Hafsa bint Umar (RA)

Introduction
▪ Tribe – Adi from Quraysh
▪ Father – Umar bin al-Khattab
▪ Birth – born 5 years before Prophethood
▪ Islam – Early Muslim
▪ Previous marriages – She married to Khunis bin Hudayfa – martyred in Battle of Badr
▪ Migration to Abyssinia – She migrated to Abyssinia with her husband
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Himself proposed
▪ The Prophet (SAW) married Hafsa because he felt a duty to her father, 'Umar (RA)
▪ She was the fourth wife of the Holy Prophet ‫ﷺ‬. It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar
that Hafsah’s husband Khunays ibn Hudhaafah, who was one of the companions of the
Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬and had been present at Badr, but died in Madinah. ‘Umar ibn al-
Khattab said: I met ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan and offered Hafsah to him in marriage. I said: If you
wish, I will marry Hafsah bint ‘Umar to you. He said: I will think about it. Several nights
passed, then he said: I think that I do not want to get married at this time. ‘Umar said: Then
I met Abu Bakr and I said: If you wish, I will marry Hafsa bint ‘Umar‫ ا‬to you. Abu Bakr kept
quiet and did not give me any response. I was more upset about him than about ‘Uthman.
Several nights passed, then the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬proposed to her and I married her to
him. Then Abu Bakr met me and said: Perhaps you felt upset when you offered Hafsah in
marriage to me and I did not reply? I said: Yes. He said: Nothing prevented me from
responding to your offer but the fact that I knew that the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬had mentioned
her, and I did not want to disclose the secret of the Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬. If he had decided
not to marry her, I would have accepted your offer. (Sahih Bukhari: 4005)
▪ Prophet’s marriage strengthened his ties with Umar
Significance, Personality and Character
▪ Pious & devoted to Islam
▪ Spent time in fasting & praying
▪ Keen to learn
▪ Ranked 2nd in knowledge of religion after Ayesha
▪ Prophet (SAW) said: ‘She is the one who fasts during the day and who stands during the
night for worship’ (Fadail-us-Sahabah)
▪ Custodian of first manuscript of the Quran known as ‘Mushaf Hafsa”
▪ Memorized Quran
▪ Traditions narrated – 60
▪ Death - died at age of 63 in 45 A.H.

7
 Umm Salamah bint Abi Ummaya(RA)
Introduction
▪ Tribe – Makhzum
▪ Father – Abu Umayyah
▪ Real Name – Hind bint Abu Umayyah
▪ Islam – Early Muslim
▪ Previous marriages - She was first married to Abdullah bin Asad
known as Abu Salamah who waswounded in Battle of Uhad and
passed away in 4 AH
▪ She was Known as ‘Ayyin al Arab’,the eye of Arab, the one who had
lost her husband
▪ Migration: She Migrated to Abyssinia.
▪ distinction of being first women to migrate to Madinah
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Prophet (SAW) made an offer of marriage to Umm Salama in order to take of her and
her orphan children under his protection.
▪ Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih (918) that Umm Salamah said: I heard the Messenger
of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬say: “There is no person who is faced with a calamity and says:
▪ (Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return; O Allah, reward me this
calamity and compensate me with something better than it) so Allah will reward him in his
calamity and will compensate him with something better than that.” She said: When Abu
Salamah died, I said what the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬had commanded me, and Allah
compensate me with someone better than him: The Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬. This is how
she came to become one of the wives of the Holy Prophet ‫ﷺ‬. married Prophet (SAW) in 4
A.H.
Significance
▪ Prophet (SAW) consulted her in many different matters
▪ In 6 AH – during Treaty of Hudaibiya – companions showed reluctance to shave their
heads and offer sacrifice on her suggestion Prophet (SAW) did it first himself
▪ She was well versed in jurisprudence
Personality and Character Traits
▪ She was extremely beautiful
▪ She was very modest and generous
▪ Memorized the Quran
▪ Learned in religious matters
▪ Memorized 400 ahadith of Prophet (SAW) (She and Ayesha had no equal in this)
▪ Many senior companions like Abdullah ibn Abbas used to consult her for points in
Shariyah
▪ She requested Hussain (RA) not to go to Iraq (Kufa)
▪ Traditions narrated - 378
Umm Salamah (RA) Accompanied Prophet (SAW) in the following events
▪ Invasion of Khyber
▪ Siege of Taif
▪ Battle of Hunain
▪ Conquest of Makkah
▪ Final pilgrimage of Prophet (SAW)
Death
▪ Died at age of 84 in 63 A.H. during Yazid’s rule
▪ Last of the mothers of the believers to pass away and buried in cemetery Jannat ul
Baqee

8
 Past Paper Question and Marking Scheme
(a) Write about the Prophet’s wife Aisha during the lifetime of the Prophet. [10]

2015 May June – 12

Candidates should give a detailed narrative about the life of Aisha and her relationship with
the Prophet.
Answers will be able to mention key events from her life, such as her
• Early marriage to the Prophet,
• Her youth and good memory which allowed her to remember and teach many of the
sayings and events from the life of the Prophet,
• Teaching the way of Islam whenever a new revelation was given.
• She took part in the major battles.
• The events that surrounded the necklace controversy after which a revelation was
revealed about her.
• The Prophet was with her when he passed away.
Good answers will be able to present their narratives in a clear and comprehensive manner
giving details of the exact events.

Past Paper Question and Marking Scheme

(a) Give an account of the life of the Prophet’s wife Aisha during the lifetime of the
Prophet (SAW). [10]

2020 May June – 12

She was the daughter of the Prophet’s close companion, Abu Bakr; she was married to
the Prophet (SAW) in Madina at a young age and became his third wife. She was married
to the Prophet (SAW) for nine years. She was known for her intelligence and sharp
memory. Whilst she was living with the Prophet (SAW) she learnt a lot from him about
revelations and the law, and later went on to teach Islam and became a narrator of hadith.
She initially stayed with Sawda after migration, while her living quarters were built next to
the mosque.
She was involved in many important events in the life of the Prophet, and Qur’an verses
were revealed to the Prophet (SAW) about her in relation to the event of the necklace
(Nur:11–19). They relate to the incident where she was accompanying the Prophet (SAW)
on an expedition to Banu Mustaliq. The caravan had stopped on the return journey and
she had dropped her necklace whilst she had gone to relieve herself, and so went to look
for it. The caravan left without her and so she fell asleep while hoping for a search party
to come and get her. Safwan As-Salami found her and took her on his camel back to
Madina. The hypocrites used this as a way to slander Aisha which caused her great
distress. The verses were revealed to prove her innocence.

She, at times, felt jealousy to the Prophet’s other wives. She did not like that the Prophet
(SAW) showed so much love towards his first wife Khadija. She also did not like it when
the Prophet (SAW) stayed longer with his wife Zaynab on account of her having honey
that he (SAW) liked. She was considered to be the Prophet’s favourite wife. He used to
call her Humayra. The Prophet (SAW) chose her house to rest in during his final illness
and he passed away whilst he was with her.

9
 Aisha bint Abu Bakr

Introduction

▪ Tribe – Banu Tamim branch of Quryash

▪ Parents – father was Abu Bakr (RA) Prophet (SAW)’s close friend & Mother was Umm
Rooman
▪ Birth – born eight or nine years before Hijrah to Madinah
▪ Islam – Born in Muslim household
▪ Kuniyah – Umm Abdullah kuniya was adopted based on her sister Asma’s son as she
had no children of her own
▪ Childhood - exceptional memory & intelligence & was fond of playing with her toys &
friends
▪ Migrations – Migrated to Madinah

Her Early Life

Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.) was born in Makkah in 613 or early 614 CE, three or four years
after Messenger of Allah’s (S.A.W.) prophethood. Her mother was Umm Roman Zainab
(R.A.) and her father was Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.), two of the most trusted Companions of
Prophet (S.A.W.). There is little known about Aisha's (R.A.) childhood years. Aisha’s
(R.A.) favorite pastime, as a girl, was swinging and playing with dolls. Once on a visit to
her father Abu Bakr (R.A.), Prophet (S.A.W.) saw her playing with a winged horse. She
was barely five years old at the time. He (S.A.W.) asked her what it was. She (R.A.)
replied it was a horse. He (S.A.W.) smiled and answered that horses did not have wings!
She (R.A.) promptly retorted that the Prophet Sulaiman (A.S.) had winged horses. This
incident reveals several things about her. First, she (R.A.) was intelligent, brilliant, well -
informed on religious and historical matters. Also, at such a tender age, she (R.A.) had a
memory like a computer, which never seemed to fail her. She hardly ever forgot
something once she heard it. At the time of Hijrah, (migration from Makkah to Madinah) of
the Prophet (S.A.W.), she (R.A.) was barely eight years old, yet she remembered years
later even minor details about that historic and momentous move, when the first Islamic
state was on the rise.

Relationship with Prophet (SAW)

▪ Before his marriage to Ayesha, he saw a dream in which angel Jibrail showed him
Ayesha (RA)’s picture on a piece of silk and told him that she is his wife in this world and
in the Hereafter. As narrated by Aisha bint Abu Bakr (R.A.), who said: Allah's
Messenger (SAW) said (to me), "You were shown to me twice in (my) dream.
Behold, a man (Angel) was carrying you in a silken piece of cloth and said to me,
"She is your wife, so uncover her,' and behold, it was you. I would then say (to
myself), 'If this is from Allah, then it must happen." (Sahih Bukhari)
▪ Marriage took place in Makkah when she was six years old but it was consummated
after the Hijrah to Madinah in the second year.

10
 Her knowledge & contribution to Islam during Prophets life
▪ learnt religion directly from Prophet (SAW)
▪ eye witness to number of revelations so knew circumstances and background of many
revelations which was helpful in interpreting the Quran
▪ learnt history & literature from her father
▪ knew a lot about medicine which she learnt from the physicians of Arabia visiting Prophet
(SAW)
▪ gave weekly discourses to women who assembled at her house o Participated in many
battles – prominent one is Uhad & Banu al-Mustaliq

Significance
▪ Verses of Tayammum & commands about menstruating while in Hajj were
revealed onher account which were very helpful for the rest of the Muslims
▪ She was the only virgin among the wives of the Holy Prophet
▪ revelation also came to prove her innocence in which Allah SWT Himself testified to her
purity & honesty and she earned the title of ‘Siddiqah’ – Surah Nur (24: 11-19)
▪ Prophet (SAW) spent his last days in her apartment and died resting his head on her lap
and is buried in that apartment
▪ She lived for nine years with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Lead a very simple life with Prophet (SAW) months would pass without kindling a fire in
the house. She used to live on simple dates
Hadith narrated by Amr bin Al-A’as (R.A.),
▪ ‘I once asked the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.): "Who is the most beloved of the people to
you?" He (S.A.W.) said: "'Ayesha." I, once again, asked: "From the men?" He said: "Her
farther. (Abu Bakr Siddiq)" (Tirmidhi: 3886)
▪ Among her unique characteristics is that the Prophet (S.A.W.) did not receive revelation in
the bed of any of his wives apart from Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.).
Her contribution to Islam after Prophets life
▪ Preserved for Ummah a good proportion of ahadith. She narrated 2210 Ahadith from
Prophet (SAW)
▪ She was one of Islam’s leading jurists
▪ Many prominent & leading companions of Prophet (SAW) sought knowledge from her
▪ She had excellent grasp on Quran & its meaning
▪ Many Ahadith she narrated were about the family & personal life of Prophet

Personality Traits
▪ Most knowledgeable in distinguishing between lawful & unlawful

Death
▪ She died on 17th of Ramadan 58 AH at age of 66– buried in al-Baqee
graveyard

11
 Ramlah / Umm Habibah bint Suffyan (RA)
Introduction
▪ Tribe – Banu Umayyah from Quraysh
▪ Real name - Ramlah
▪ Father – Abu Sufyan bint Harb – chief of Makkah
▪ Birth – born 17 years before Prophethood
▪ slam – early Muslim
▪ Previous marriages – She married to Abdullah bin Jahash but later
he apostate after migration
▪ Migration to Abyssinia – She took part in 2nd migration in 5th year of Prophethood with
her previous husband
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Someone, while talking to Prophet (SAW) about the state of affairs in Abyssinia,
mentioned that Umm Habibah, the daughter of a wealthy and noble family was living
under tragic circumstances, after the husband had recanted and died.
▪ When the Prophet (SAW) heard this, he sent 'Amr bin Umayyah to Najashi with the
message that if Umm Habibah liked she could marry him.
▪ He sent her proposal when she was in Abyssinia, marriage took place after she migrated
to Madinah
Association with Prophet (SAW)
▪ She was a devoted wife
▪ Once her father Abu Sufyan came to renew treaty of Hudaibiya visited her and she didn’t
allow him to sit on Prophet (SAW)’s bed as he was an idol worshipper.
Character and Personality Traits
▪ Possessed helping nature. She helped poor & orphans
▪ She was pious and devoted.
▪ Once The Prophet of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬passed by her when she was in her prayer place-after the
Fajr prayer-then he passed by her approximately halfway through the morning and she
was still in her place of prayer. He said to her: “You are still in the place where I left you?”
She replied: “Yes.” There upon Allâh’s Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬said:
▪ “I recited four words three times after I left you and if these are to be weighed against
what you have recited since morning, these would outweigh them; and they are:
▪ “Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinata ‘arshihi, wa
middada kalimatihi.”
[Glorified be Allâh and praise be to Him as many times as the number of His
creatures and according to the Pleasure of His Self and according to the weight of
His Throne and according to the ink (used in recording) the words (used in praising
Him).]”
▪ Traditions narrated – She narrated 65 ahadith
Death - died at age of 73 in 23 A.H. during her brother Muawiyah’s reign

12
 Zaynab bint Khuzaymah (RA)

Introduction
▪ Tribe – Banu Hilal
▪ Father – Khuzaymah
▪ Islam – Early Muslim
▪ Previous marriages – married thrice before Prophet (SAW). Her first husband was Tufail bin
Haritha after his death she got married to Obaidah Ibn Harith who was martyred in Battle of Badr
▪ She was 30 years old at that time.
▪ Her third marriage was to Abdullah bin Jahsh who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud. After
that, she got married to the Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬for 400 dirhams.
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Her sister Salma bint Umaiz got married to Hamza (RA), Prophet’s uncle.
▪ Prophet (SAW) was pleased by her generous conduct and he proposed her when she
remained unmarried for a year after her husband’s death. The marriage meant to assure
his followers that their deaths in battle would not mean their families would starve and be
neglected. She was the first of his wives to come from outside the Quraysh tribe.
Personality Traits
▪ Generous – known as “Umm al Masakin” – mother of the destitute
▪ Umm al-Masakin was her nickname. She was generous to the poor and needy. That is
why she became famous with this nickname.
▪ Pious & kind hearted
Death
▪ Died at age of 30 in 5 A.H.
▪ Lived only three months with Prophet (SAW) after marriage
▪ Only one whose funeral Prophet (SAW) himself lead after Khadija (RA)
▪ Buried in the cemetery Jannat ul Baqee. After her demise Maimunah (RA) got buried.

Safiyah bint Huyayye bin Akhtab (RA)

▪ Tribe – Banu Nadhir (Jewish tribe)

▪ Father – Huyayye bin Akhtab – leader of Banu Nadhir – expelled from Madinah in 4 AH &
settled in Khyber
▪ Real Name – Zaynab
▪ Previous marriages
▪ Married to Salam bin Makham – got divorced
▪ Married to Kinanah bin Abu Haqeeq after that – who was killed at conquest of Khyber
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ After Banu Nazir was defeated, Safiyyah (RA) became a captive
▪ She was 17 years’ old
▪ When the Holy Prophet (SAW) learnt of her, he offered to marry her
▪ She was renamed Safiyah
▪ With this, he intended to relieve the tension between the Jews and Muslims.
▪ When Banu Nazir would see their princess married to the Prophet (SAW), it was likely that
their animosity would fade away and both parties could live in harmony and peace.

13
 Significant and Personality Traits:
▪ She was friendly and had good relationship with Prophet (SAW)’s daughter Fatimah
▪ Memorized the most chapters of Quran
▪ She was pious & generous
▪ She was fond of attending sermons of Prophet (SAW)
▪ She brought food & water to Uthman when his house was besieged by rebels
Death
▪ Died at age of 60 in 50 A.H. during Muawiyyah’s rule
▪ Left behind hundred thousand dirhams which were distributed among the poor as per her
will

Zaynab bint Jahsh (RA)

▪ Tribe – Quraysh
▪ Parents – Jahsh bin Rahab & Umaimah bint Abdul Muttalib (aunt of Prophet)
▪ Title – ‘Ummal – Hikam’ – Mother of Wisdom
▪ Previous marriages
▪ Married to Zaid bin Harithah – freed slave of Prophet
▪ She & her brother - reluctant – but agreed because of Prophet (SAW)
▪ Marriage wasn’t successful – divorced after a year
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Prophet (SAW) married her on command of Allah in 5 A.H
▪ “We joined her (Zaynab) in marriage with you” (33:37)
▪ She used to boast about this to the other wives of the Holy Prophet ‫ﷺ‬, saying: “Your families
arranged your marriages but Allah arranged my marriage from above the seven heavens.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 7420)
▪ The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) married to his cousin, Zainab Binte Jahash who was
divorced by Zaid bin Harithah, was an Arab slave who the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
released and adopted him as a son.
▪ According to Arab traditions, an adopted son was regarded as a real son, and so his wife
could not be married.
▪ In order to break that taboo, the Prophet married Zainab (RA).
▪ She was 35 years old
Personality Traits
▪ generous – known as ‘One with the long arm’
▪ refused to take help after Prophet (SAW)’s death
▪ pious, modest & God-fearing o Incident of Maghafir
Death
▪ died at age of 53 in 20 A.H. during Umar’s caliphate
▪ first wife to die after demise of Prophet (SAW)

14
 Maimoonah bint Harith (RA)
Introduction

▪ Tribe – Amir bin Sa’sa of Najd

▪ Real Name - Barah
▪ Previous marriages
▪ Married twice before Prophet (SAW)
▪ First divorced by Masud bin Amr then widow of Abu Rahman
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ Sister-in-law of Abbas, Prophet (SAW) married her on request of his uncle Abbas.
▪ In 7 AH – when Muslims went for Umra after treaty of Hudaibiya
▪ Last wife of Prophet (SAW)
Personality Traits
▪ Prophet (SAW) called her – ‘Symbol of Goodness’
▪ pious, generous & humble o Freed many slaves
▪ cared for rights of her relatives
▪ Ayesha (RA) said: ‘Maimoona was the most pious & the most regardful of her kith & kin
among the Prophet’s wives’ (Majma az-Zawaid)
Traditions narrated 76
▪ attained 3rd place in narrating ahadith
Death
▪ Died at age of 53 in 51 A.H. during Muawiyyah’s rule

Rehana bint Shamoon (RA)

▪ Tribe – Banu Quraizah (Jewish tribe)

▪ Previous marriages
▪ Married to one of her own tribe men
▪ Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ became captive during battle with Banu Qiraizah
▪ she was amongst the enslaved and had become a widow at the time.
▪ Prophet (SAW) took her under his custody and offered her the chance to embrace Islam.
Moreover, he also told her if she was to accept Islam, he would marry her.
▪ She is known to have refused the offer out of love for her deceased husband and her
faith.
▪ eventually, she changed her mind and converted to Islam.
▪ Upon this news, the Holy Prophet (SAW) freed her and married her in 6 A.H.
Her position
▪ Generous, kind & helpful
Death
▪ Died during Prophets lifetime

15
 Juwayriyah bint Harith (RA)

▪ Tribe – al-Mustaliq
▪ Father – Harith bin Abi Zara – chief of al-Mustaliq
▪ Real Name – Barra
▪ Previous marriages
▪ Married to Musafe son of Safwan
▪ Killed in battle
Relationship with Prophet (SAW)
▪ She became captive in 5 A.H.
▪ Prophet (SAW) paid her ransom and married her after seeing her nobility
▪ She was 21 years old. She was renamed ‘Juwayriyah’ by Prophet (SAW)
▪ She fell prisoner to the Muslims during the battle of Banu Al-Mustaliq, and she came to
the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬to ask him to help her to manumit herself and buy her freedom. He offered
to buy her freedom and marry her, and she accepted. The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬married her and
made her manumission her dowry. When the people came to know of that, they set free
their own prisoners, so as to honour the in-laws of the Messenger ‫ﷺ‬
▪ Significance and Personality Traits
▪ Blessing for her tribe
▪ Her tribe accepted Islam because of her
▪ Pious & devoted Muslim
▪ Known for long prayers & constant fasts o Learned Quran from Ayesha
Traditions narrated – 7
Death
▪ Died at age of 65 in 50 A.H.in Rabi ul Awwal, the year 50 A.H. She was buried in Jannat-
ul- Baqi

Mariyah Qibtiyah (RA)

Relationship with Prophet (SAW)

▪ Prophet (SAW) sent letters to Kings & Rulers to invite them to Islam after Treaty of
Hudaibiya
▪ He sent letter to Muqawqis – ruler of Egypt – treated Prophet (SAW)’s envoy with respect
▪ He sent gifts & two girls who were of high status in Egypt to Prophet (SAW) one of them
was Maria Qibtiya (RA)
▪ Mother of his son Ibrahim who died in infancy
▪ Prophet (SAW) married Mariyah to show slaves can be married.
Character Traits
Pious lady
Death
Died 5 years after death of Prophet (SAW).

16