QUESTION:
Please provide a summary of each wife of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam with their virtues and qualities. Could you kindly provide some detail pertaining to their marriages, their children, and their ages of demise?
ANSWER:
Khadijah Radiallahu Anha
Khadijah Radiallahu Anha is unanimously accepted as the first wife of Rasulullah. She is also unanimously accepted as the first Muslim – no male nor female preceded her in embracing Islam. She was from the Quraysh tribe. Her father’s name was Khuwaylid and her mother’s name was Fatimah bint Za’idah. Since she was free from the customs and habits of Jahiliyyah, she was popularly referred to as Tahirah (the pure one) even before Rasulullah’s commission as a messenger.
Her first marriage was with Abu Halah ibn Zurarah Tamimi. From this marriage, she had two sons by the name of Hind and Halah. Both these children embraced Islam and are therefore Sahaabah. When Abu Halah passed away, Khadijah Radiallahu Anha married Atiq ibn Aa’idh Makhzumi from whom she got one daughter by the name of Hind. She also embraced Islam and is blessed to be amongst the Sahaabiyaat.
Nafisah bint Munibah narrates that Khadijah Radiallahu Anha was a very noble and wealthy woman. When she became a widow, every nobleman from the Quraish desired to marry her. However, when Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam went on a journey with her goods and returned with immense profits, she became inclined towards him. She sent a message to him asking him what was stopping him from getting married? Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam replied: “I do not possess anything.” She asked him: “If this concern of yours is sorted out, and you are invited towards a woman who has wealth, beauty and compatibility, then do you still have any excuse?” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam asked: “Who is that woman?” She replied: “Khadijah.” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam accepted the proposal.
It was from Khadijah Radiallahu Anha that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam’s four daughters were born: Zainab Radiallahu Anha, Ruqayyah Radiallahu Anha, Umm Kulthum Radiallahu Anha and Fatimah Radiallahu Anha. Two sons were also born from her. The sons passed away at a very young age. However, the daughters lived, grew up, and also married.
As long as Khadijah Radiallahu Anha remained alive, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam did not enter into any other marriage. She passed away 10 years after prophethood in Makkah (or three years before the emigration to Madinah). She was buried in Hajun. Rasulullah Sallahu Alhai Wasllam personally lowered her into her grave. The Janaazah Salaah was not prescribed at that time. She remained in the marriage of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam for 25 years. She passed away at the age of 65.
Saudah bint Zarrah Radiallahu Anha
A few days after the death of Khadijah Radiallahu Anha, Saudah Radiallahu Anha came into the marriage of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam. She was also from the noblewomen of the Quraysh. Her lineage is Saudah bint ZanTah ibn Qays ibn ‘Abd Shams ibn ‘Abdud ibn Nasr ibn Malik ibn Hasl ibn ‘Amir ibn Lu’ayy.
She was from the Ansar and the Banu Najjar tribe. She embraced Islam at its onset. Her first marriage was with her cousin, Sukran ibn ‘Amr. When the Sahabah went on the second emigration to Abyssinia, Saudah Radiallahu Anha and her husband, Sukran also emigrated. When they were returning to Makkah, Sukran passed away. They had one son by the name of Abdur Rahman. He also embraced Islam and was martyred in the battle of Jalula.
Since the marriage of Saudah Radiallahu Anha and Ayesha Radiallahu Anha took place at almost the same time, the historians differ as to which marriage took place first. The correct and preferred opinion is that Saudah Radiallahu Anha’s marriage took place first. The dowry was fixed at 400 Dirhams.
Saudah Radiallahu Anha was tall and quite heavily built. She had a humorous nature and used to make Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam laugh at times. She passed away in Dhul Hijjah 23 A.H. towards the end of the caliphate of Umar Radiallahu Anhu.
Ayesha Radiallahu Anha
Ayesha Radiallahu Anha is the daughter of Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu. Her mother’s name was Zaynab, with the title of Umm Ruman. Ayesha Radiallahu Anha did not have any children of her own. However, she was given the title of Umm Abdillah due to her nephew, Abdullah ibn Zubayr. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam got married to her after, or with, Saudah Radiallahu Anha in Shawwal 10 A.H. The marriage was solemnized and the dowry was set at 400 dirhams.
The marriage took place three years before the emigration to Madinah in the month of Shawwal in the 10th year of Nabuwwat. Ayesha Radiallahu Anha was six years old at that time. The marriage was consummated seven or eight months after the emigration, also in the month of Shawwal. She was nine years and a few months old at that time. She remained in the marriage of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam for nine years. She was 18 years old when Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam passed away. She remained alive for another 48 years and passed away in 57 A.H. in Madinah Munawwarah. In accordance with her request, she was buried at night in Jannatul Baqi (the graveyard of Madinah).
Ayesha Radiallahu Anha was 66 years old at the time of her death. Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu performed the Janaazah Salaah. Qasim ibn Muhammad, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd ar-Rahman, Abdullah ibn Abl ‘Atiq, ‘Urwah ibn Zubayr and Abdullah ibn Zubayr lowered her in her grave. They were all her nephews.
Hafsah bint Umar Radiallahu Anha
Hafsah Radiallahu Anha is the daughter of Umar ibn al Khattab. Her mother’s name is Zaynab bint Maz‘un Radiallahu Anha. Hafsah Radiallahu Anha was born five years before prophethood at the time when the Quraysh were busy renovating the Ka‘bah. Her first marriage was with Khunays ibn Hudhafah Sahmi. She emigrated with her husband to Madinah. He passed away after the battle of Badr.
The preferred opinion is that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam married Hafsah Radiallahu Anha in 3 A.H. Hafsah Radiallahu Anha passed away in Madinah in Shaaban 45 A.H. during the caliphate of Mu‘awiyah Radiallahu Anhu. Marwan ibn Hakam performed the Janaazah Salaah. She was 60 years old at the time of her death.
Zaynab bint Khuzaymah Radiallahu Anha
Her name was Zaynab, but because she was extremely generous since before Islam, she was given the title Umm-al-Masakin – the mother of the poor. Her father’s name was Khuzaymah ibn al-Harith Hilal. Her first marriage was with Abdullah ibn Jahsh. He was martyred in 3 A.H. in the battle of Uhud. On the expiry of her Iddah, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam proposed to her. The dowry was set at 500 dirhams. Two or three months after the marriage, she passed away. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam personally performed the Janaazah Salaah and she was buried in Jannatul Baqi. She was 30 years old at the time of her death.
Umm Salamah bint Abi Umayyah Radiallahu Anha
Umm Salamah was her title while her name was Hind. She was the daughter of Abu Umayyah Qurashi Makhzumi. Her mother’s name was ‘Atikah bint ‘Amir ibn Rabiah. Her first marriage was with her cousin, Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abd al-Asad Makhzumi. She embraced Islam together with her husband and also emigrated to Abyssinia with him. On returning from there, she emigrated to Madinah.
Abu Salamah Radiallahu Anhu participated in the battle of Badr and Uhud. In the battle of Uhud, he injured his side. He had to treat it for about a month until he was cured. In the beginning of Muharram 4 A.H., Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam sent him at the head of a small army. They returned after 29 days. On his return, his old wound resurfaced, and he eventually passed away on account of it on the 8th of Jumadal Ukhra 4 A.H.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam married her towards the end of Shawwal 4 A.H. Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam gave her some goods in dowry, the value of which was 10 dirhams.
There is much difference with regard to the date of her death. Imam Bukhari Rahimahullah says in his Tarikh that she passed away in 58 A.H, while Waqidi Rahimahullah says 59 A.H. Ibn Hibban Rahimahullah says that she passed away in 61 A.H when she heard about the martyrdom of Hadrat Husain Radiallahu Anhu. Abu Nu‘aim Rahimahullah says that she passed away in 62 A.H. Hafiz ‘Asqalani Rahimahullah considers this last opinion to be preferable. Umm Salamah Radiallahu Anha was the last to pass away from the pure wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam. Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu performed the Janaazah Salaah. She was 84 years old at the time. She was lowered into her grave by her two sons from her previous marriage. Their names were Umar and Salamah. The following two persons were also present to lower her in her grave, Abdullah ibn ‘Abdillah ibn Abu Umayyah and Abdullah ibn Wahb ibn ZanTah. She was buried in Jannatul Baqi.
Zaynab bint Jahsh Radiallahu Anha
Zaynab bint Jahsh Radiallahu Anha was the daughter of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam’s paternal aunt, Umaymah bint Abd al-Muttalib. In other words, she was his paternal cousin. Before coming into the marriage of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, she was first married to the adopted son and freed slave, Zayd ibn Harithah .
She passed away in 20 A.H. in Madinah. Umar Radiallahu Anhu performed her Janaazah Salaah. She was 50 or 53 years old at the time of her demise. She was 35 years old when Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam married her.
Juwayriyah bint Harith Radiyallahu Anha
Juwariyah Radiallahu Anha was the daughter of Harith ibn Dirar, the leader of the Banu Mustaliq tribe. Her first marriage was with Musafih ibn Safwan Mustalaqi who was killed in the battle of Murays. Many women and children were captured in this battle. Juwariyah Radiallahu Anha was among the captives. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam freed her and brought her into his marriage. Her dowry was set at 400 Dirhams. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam got married to her in the 5th after Hjirah. She was 20 years old at that time and she passed away in the 50th after Hijrah in Rabi-ul-Awwal and was 65 years at the time of her demise.
Ummi Habibah bint Abi Sufyan Radiallahu Anha
Her name was Ramlah while Umm Habibah was her title. She was the daughter of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb Umawi, the famous leader of the Quraysh. Her mother’s name was Safiyyah bint Abi al-‘As who was the paternal aunt of ‘Uthman. She was born 17 years before prophethood. Her first marriage was with ‘Ubaidullah ibn Jahsh.
Umm Habibah Radiallahu Anha embraced Islam at the very beginning and so did her husband, ‘Ubaidullah ibn Jahsh. They both emigrated to Abyssinia. While there, she gave birth to a daughter whom they named Habibah. She is therefore known as Umm Habibah [the mother of Habibah] and became popular by this name. While in Abyssinia, her husband, ‘Ubaidullah, renounced Islam and became a Christian. However, Umm Habibah Radiallahu Anha remained steadfast on Islam.
Umm Habibah Radiallahu Anha passed away in Madinah in 44 A.H. Some scholars say that she passed away in Damascus. However, the authentic report is that she passed away in Madinah. Since she was born 17 years before prophethood, it would mean that she was 37 years old at the time of her marriage and 74 years old at the time of her death.
Safiyyah bint Huyayy Radiallahu Anha
Safiyyah Radiallahu Anha was the daughter of Huyayy ibn Akhtab, the leader of the Banu Nadir tribe. Huyayy was from the progeny of Harun Alaihis Salaam, the brother of Musa Alaihis Salaam. Her mother’s name was Darrah. Her first marriage was with Salam ibn Mishkam Qurazi. When he divorced her, she married Kinanah ibn Abl al-Huqayq. This Kinanah was killed in the battle of Khaybar and she was captured in this battle. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam freed her and brought her into his marriage. This freeing of her was her dowry. On proceeding from Khaibar, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam stopped at a place called Sahba, which was the first stop over point from Khaybar. It was at this place that he consummated the marriage and also prepared a Walimah . She passed away in Ramadan 50 A.H. and was buried in Jannatul Baqi.
Maymunah bint Harith Radiallahu Anha
Her name is Maymunah, her father’s name was Harith and her mother’s name was Hind. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam married her in Dhul Qa‘dah 7 A.H. at the time when Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam went to Makkah to perform ‘Umratul Qada’. Ibn Sa‘d Rahimahullah says that this was his last wife. He did not marry any woman after her. She was previously married to Abu Raham ibn ‘Abdul ‘Uzza. When he passed away, she married Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. The dowry was set at 500 dirhams. Ibn Abbas says that when Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasllam proposed to her, she appointed ‘Abbas as her representative, who consequently, got her married to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. It is gauged from some narrations that the marriage and the consummation of it – both took place at Sarif. It was also at this place that she passed away in 51 A.H. She was also buried at this place. The Janaazah Salaah was performed by Abdullah ibn Abbas She was lowered in the grave by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas Yazid ibn Asam, ‘Abdullah ibn Shaddad and ‘Ubaidullah Khaulani. The first three were her nephews while the fourth was an orphan who was brought up by her.
Re: Seeratul Mustafa Vol:3 Pg:310-372
