The First Islamic Community

Wives of the Holy Prophet PBUH

Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid (R.A):
Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid (R.A) was born in 555 A.D. Her father was Khuwaylid, a rich
merchant. She was from a very noble background. She was known as Tahira even during the
Era of Jahiliyyah, due to her piety and piousness. She was twice widowed and was a wealthy
lady. Her husbands were Hala bin Zurarah and Ateeq bin Aidh Makhzumi. She had three
children from her previous marriages, Harith, Hind and Hinda. Hazrat Khadija (R.A) was given
the responsibility to carry out the inherited trade business. She was informed of a trustworthy
person who was perfect for her trade business and to take her trade expeditions to other
areas. That person was Holy Prophet (PBUH) and he was appointed to carry Hazrat Khadija’s
(R.A) trade expedition to Syria, in promoting healthy profits. Holy Prophet (PBUH) was assisted
by Khadija’s (R.A) slave, Mayserah. Holy Prophet (PBUH) came up with a considerable profit
and Mayserah told Hazrat Khadija (R.A) about his excellent conduct and behavior in
transactions. Hazrat Khadija (R.A) was so inspired by him, that she sent a marriage proposal
that was accepted by Abu Talib on behalf of Holy Prophet (PBUH). She married the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) at the age of 40; he was 25.
The marriage proved to be very successful. Prophet never married anyone again as long as she
was alive. She bore him four daughters and two sons. Both of their sons died in infancy. Qasim
was the elder one by whom the Prophet had his kuniya, he was called Abu Qasim. The youner
one was Abdullah known as Tayyib and Tahir. The daughters were Zaynab, Ruqiyyah, Umme
Kulsoom and Fatimah RA. Hazrat Fatima (R.A) was the only one among their children who
survived after the death of her father.
Hazrat Khadija (R.A) assisted Prophet (PBUH) throughout her life and proved herself as a loving
and devoted partner. She was the first ever convert to Islam and she consoled Holy Prophet
(PBUH) after he experienced the first revelation in Cave Hira. She took him to her cousin,
Warqa bin Naufal. Hazrat Khadija (R.A) supported Prophet (PBUH) emotionally, financially and
tolerated the sufferings of the Banu Hashim boycott. She placed her wealth at Prophet’s
disposal.
In the 10th year of Prophethood, she passed away upon the lifting of socio-economic boycott
and Holy Prophet (PBUH) was so saddened by this incident that he named that year as Aam-ul-
Huzan.
He often praised about Hazrat Khadija (R.A) later on, in front of his other wives. Once, Prophet
(PBUH) said to Hazrat Ayesha (R.A): “O AYESHA! LOVE OF KHADIJA WAS GIFTED TO ME BY
ALLAH, NEVER HAD I GOT A BETTER WIFE THAN KHADIJA.”
Thus, Holy Prophet (PBUH) ranked her among his beloved wives and always admired Hazrat
Khadija’s (R.A) contribution to Islam. The Prophet mentioned Hazrat Khadija so much, though
she was not alive, that Hz. Aisha RA sometimes envied her.
Once, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was mentioning the good deeds of Hz. Khadija. Hz. Aisha
was there. She could not help saying, “You always mention Khadija. However, Allah gave you
younger and more beautiful wives than her.” Thereupon, the Prophet said, “No. Allah did not
give me anyone better than her because when everybody disbelieved me, she believed in me.
When everybody denied me, she approved me. When I was deprived of everything, she shared
her property with me. And Allah gave me children from her.”
A friend of Khadija’s was among the ones that migrated to Madinah. According to what Anas
bin Malik, his servant, narrates, when something was given him as a present, he usually sent
the present to that woman. He said, "She was Khadija's friend. She loved Khadija a lot."
The voice of Hala, Hazrat Khadija’s sister, resembled Khadija’s voice a lot. One day, a woman’s
voice asked for permission to enter his presence. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), who heard the
voice, was astonished and prayed silently,“O Allah! I hope this woman, who has asked for
permission, is Hala!” Indeed, she was Hala, a reminiscence of Khadija.
One of the captives captured during the Battle of Badr was Abu’l As, that is, the son-in-law of
the Prophet (pbuh), his daughter Zaynab’s husband. Hazrat Zaynab sent Hazrat Khadija’s
necklace, which she had given her when she got married, as a ransom for her husband. When
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) saw the necklace of Khadija, who had died years ago, among the
ransoms sent from Makkah, he started to cry and said to his friends, "If you agree I want to
return this necklace to Zaynab and release Abu’l As." His friends became aware of the
sensitivity of the situation and said,"Yes, of course, O Messenger of Allah! As you wish.”
Anas RA reports that the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “From
among the women of the world who have reached perfection and who are worthy of following
are (the following four): Maryam the daughter of Imran; Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid;
Fatima daughter of Muhammad and Asiyah wife of Fir’aun” (Tirmidhi).

2) Hazrat Sawdah bint Zama’ah (R.A):

She was the second wife of the Prophet. Hazrat Sawdah bint Zama’ah (R.A) was a scholarly and
pious lady. She had migrated to Abbysinia along with her husband, Sakran bin Amr. Sawdah
(R.A) returned to Mecca and after sometime her husband died. She was left with five children.
She was in financial difficulty and needed support. At this time, Khadija (R.A), the first wife of
the Prophet (PBUH) had just passed away. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had children who
needed care. The Prophet PBUH was having a troubled time. This situation of the Prophet was
felt by everybody. Hawla, the daughter of Hakim and the wife of Uthman bin Maz’un, saw the
sadness of the Prophet and proposed to find a partner for him, and he asserted. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) was very much affected by the loyalty to faith that Sawda had shown and
as a result of the respect and high value that he attached to her, he proposed to marry her.
Sawdah (R.A) was at the age of fifty when she married the Prophet. Hazrat Sawdah (R.A)
proved to be a loving and devoting wife to him. Prophet (PBUH) also admired her simplicity
and righteousness. She was a tall, healthy woman with a great sense of humour. She had a
slow lumbering walk because of her build. Hazrat Saudah was extremely generous, simple and
pious and distinguished for her sense of duty and obedience. She was a devout person and
was very punctual about her hours of prayers. She had sound knowledge of religious matters.
Later, when Holy Prophet (PBUH) married Hazrat Ayesha (R.A), Hazrat Sawdah (R.A) took care
of her needs and loved Hazrat Ayesha (R.A). Hazrat Sawdah (R.A) had her compartment shared
with Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) and had the privilege to accompany Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his last
days.
She had narrated 5 traditions. She was early converts of Islam. Her dwelling and Hazrat Aisha’s
were first the first to be built in the mosque. She loved Holy Prophet (pbuh) so much that at
his last illness she did not went for hajj or umrah. She also gave her turn when Holy Prophet
(pbuh) met every wife in the favour of Hazrat Aisha. She was so passionate and attached to
Holy Prophet (PBUH) that even after his demise, she did not leave her apartment for Hajj or
Umrah. Hazrat Sawdah (R.A) died in the 22nd year of Hijrah, after the end of Hazrat Umar’s
(R.A) Khilafat. She lived to the ripe old age of 80. She was buried in Janat al-Baqi.

3) Hazrat Ayesha bint Abu Bakar (R.A):

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 PBUH prophet-hood. Her mother was Umm Roman (R.A.) and her father
was Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.).
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 PBUH saw her playing with a winged horse. She was barely
five years old at the time. He asked her what it was. She (R.A.) replied it was a horse. He PBUH
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 sharp memory. She hardly ever forgot something
once she heard it.
She was the third wife of the Holy Prophet PBUH. She was also nicknamed as Humaira and was
called Umm-e-Abdullah. She was married to Holy Prophet (PBUH) at the age of 6 years, soon
before the migration to Medina. After gaining maturity, the marriage was officially solemnized
in Medina at the age of 9. Hazrat Aisha’s RA wedding took place in the month of Shawwal. Up
to that time, the Arabs did not have weddings in the month of Shawwal. For, there was a
plague epidemic in the month of Shawwal in the past, which made them regard it as unlucky.
With the marriage of Hazrat. Aisha, this wrong belief was also eliminated. This marriage also
strengthened the relationship between Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (R.A).
Hazrat. Aisha had a different place in the eyes of the Prophet PBUH. The Messenger of Allah
PBUH loved her very much and expressed this frequently. Once, the Messenger of Allah was
asked, “Who is the most beloved person to you?” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Aisha.” They
asked, “Among men?” He said, “Her father.”
She endured poverty and hunger with the Prophet PBUH. According to many sources, it is said
that they both spent two or three months without cooking. All what they feed on were just
dates and water.
She (R.A.) was an ideal wife who was interested in learning from the Prophet PBUH. Therefore,
she became so knowledgeable that she was able to teach men and was a source of
authorization and documentation in hadith transmission.
The Messenger of Allah always treated her well. He always fulfilled her wishes. He even raced
with her. Once, Hazrat. Aisha RA won the race. In the second race, Hz. Aisha lost because she
got a bit bulky. The Messenger of Allah said, “We got even now.”
Hazrat Aisha RA herself stated that she was more virtuous than the other wives of the Prophet
as a means of gratitude: “Nobody got married to the Prophet at a very young age like me. No
wives of the Prophet had muhajir parents. My decree was sent down from the sky by Allah.
Jibril AS showed the Prophet PBUH my image in Harira and said to him, ‘Marry her because she
is your wife.’
When Messenger of Allah PBUH became ill, he retired to Hazrat Aisha’s room who took care of
him day and night. At the last moment of the Prophet's PBUH life, his head was placed on
Aisha's (R.A.) knees and his last breath was taken as he lay in the arms of Aisha (R.A.).
Aisha is attributed to the Qur’anic revelations of surah an-Nisa involving tayammum or the use
of sand or dirt in the absence of water to perform wudu (ritual ablution before prayer.)
The Incident of ‘Al-Ifk’:
A group of hypocrites, always looked for the incidents to disturb the life of Messenger of Allah
PBUH and his companions on every possible occasion.
The Incident of Ifk is the slander by Abdullah bin Ubai, the leader of the hypocrites, against
Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.). When the march for return from Banu Mustaliq was ordered, Aisha
(R.A.) was not in her tent, having gone to search for a necklace she had dropped (which was
given to her by her Mother). As the chamber, in which she was travelling, was veiled and her
absence was not noticed until the army reached the next stop for rest. When Aisha (R.A.)
found that the army convoy had gone, she stayed there and sat down to rest, hoping that
someone would come back to fetch her when her absence was noticed. It was night and she
fell asleep. Next morning, she was found by Safwan ibn Al-Muattal (R.A.), who always stayed
behind the army and checked if there was anything left behind and then took those things to
the army. He put her on his camel while leading the camel on foot and started to walk quickly
to catch up with the army. They could not catch up with the soldiers for a long time.
Finally, Safwan (R.A.) brought her back to Prophet PBUH at the army's next camp. This
presented an occasion to the Prophet's PBUH enemies to raise a malicious scandal against
Aisha (R.A.). Abdullah ibn Ubai, along with other hypocrites, uttered many other mean
sentences, spread false rumor.
Aisha (R.A.) was neither afraid nor worried about these rumors. She (R.A.) knew that she was
innocent and that Allah would not treat her unjustly. Her parents were very scared because
they were worried that the rumors would be confirmed by Allah.
But Allah clearly declared in the verses of Quran Surah Nur-24: Verses 11-20) that Aisha (R.A.)
was innocent. Thus, Allah told His Messenger PBUH in these verses that what was said about
Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.) was nothing but slander.
She was a prominent companion of Prophet (PBUH) and this helped her to commit a large
amount of Hadith as much as 2210, which have been reported by her.
After the death of Holy Prophet PBUH, she conveyed the Islamic knowledge to the students
and assisted the companions in the compilation and preservation of Hadith. Senior
companions used to consult her.
At Holy Prophet (pbuh) death she was 18 years old. She spent rest 48 years as a widow and
died in 57 AH which is the reign of Hazrat Muawiyya and was buried in Jannat al-Baqi.
Aisha (R.A.) was one of three wives of the Prophet PBUH who was ‘Hafiza’ of Quran
(memorizer of Quran). The other two ‘Hafiza’ are Hafsa bint Umar (R.A.) and Umm Salama
(R.A.).
Imam Az Zuhri said: If Ayesha’s knowledge is compiled and compared to the knowledge of all
women, her knowledge will excel theirs.
4) Hazrat Hafsah bint Umar (R.A):
Hazrat Hafsah bint Umar (R.A) was the daughter of Hazrat Umar (R.A) who was one of the
closest companions of Holy Prophet (PBUH). She was born five years before prophet hood. She
was first married to Khunais bin Huzaifah. She accepted Islam along with her parents. Hazrat
Hafsah bint Umar (R.A) was among the people who migrated to Abyssinia. Hazrat Hafsah’s
(R.A) husband participated in the Battle of Badr and lost his life as the consequence. Upon the
completion of Iddat, Prophet (PBUH) sent her a proposal, which was accepted by her.
Hazrat Hafsah bint Umar (R.A) was a pious woman, who devoted her life to Prophet (PBUH)
and Islam. Hafsa became close to one of the Prophet’s other wives, Aisha. The Prophet valued
Hafsa’s ability to read and write which was rare among women at the time. After the death of
the Prophet, Hafsa was made responsible for preserving and protecting the folios of the
Qur’an which was eventually was assembled into a single document.
She became the teacher of Fiqah and Sunnah. She reported at least 60 traditions. Her thirst for
knowlwdge rankssecond to Hazrat Aaisha RA. Hazrat Hafsah bint Umar (R.A) was also the
custodian of the Mushaf, the compilation of Quran, done under the supervision of Zaid bin
Thabit (R.A) and this is why it was called Mushaf-e-Hafsah. Several copies of that compilation
were made and transmitted and that is how we have the Holy Quran today. Hazrat Hafsah
(R.A) passed away in the month of Shaban 45 A.H, in the Khilafat of Muawiya and is buried in
jannat-ul-baqi.
Hafsa (RA) lived with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) for eight years in Madina. She outlived the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) for many years and witnessed the expansion of Islam and the many victories it
had until the caliphate of her father Umar bin Khattab and also the trials faced by the Muslims
following the demise of Usman bin Affan. At the time of her death, Hafsa (RA) was around 60
years old. She had spent her life as a pious, noble and charitable woman

5) Hazrat Zainab bint Khuzimah:

She was the daughter of Khuwalid bin Abdullah. Zainab (RA) bint Khuzaimah first married with
Abdullah bin Jahash (RA) who was martyred in the battle of 'Uhad'. She faced poverty after the
death of her husband. Holy Prophet (pbuh) married her in the month of Ramzan, 3 A.H out of
compassion as she was the widow of a faithful companion. Her 'Mehar' was 400 Dirhams and
she was alloted a room which was adjacent to those of A'isha Siddiqua (RA) and Hafsa (RA)
thus she got the honour to become the Mother of the Believers.
She died after 3 months and her funeral prayer was performed by the Prophet himself. She is
buried in jannat-ul-baqi. She was 30 years old when she died.
She was very generous and charitable. She used to feed the poor and the needy with
generosity and therefore she was called Ummul-Masakeen. She was a very kind lady. No poor
returned empty handed from her house. She had no match in benevolence and generosity.

5) Hazrat Umm e Salmah:

Her real name was Hind. She was the daughter of Hazrat Abu Umayyah. She belonged to
Makzoom a tribe of Quraish. Her father was leader of tribe. They were rich and wealthy
people. She was married to Abdullah ibn Abdul Assad known as Abu Salamah RA. Both the
husband and wife were the first ones to accept Islam. They migrated to Abyssinia but returned
when they heard the rumor about the Makkans accepting Islam. Later they migrated to
Madinah. Her husband was wounded in the battle of Uhad and died after a long illness. She
had no one to look after her. Both the Muhajirun and Ansar felt they had a duty to Umm
Salamah. When she had completed the Iddah, Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umer proposed marriage
to her but she refused them. The Prophet then approached her and she replied: She was hot-
headed and had a temper; she felt she might be rude to the Prophet of Allah, and thus lose the
reward for all her good deeds. Secondly, she was an elderly lady; thirdly, she had, many
children.
The Prophet replied: "Regarding the jealousy you mentioned, I pray to Allah the Almighty to let
it go away from you. Regarding the question of age you have mentioned, I am afflicted with
the same problem as you. Regarding the dependent family you have mentioned, your family is
my family."
She was married to Holy Prophet (pbuh) in the end of Shawwal, 4 A.H.
She was the first woman to migrate to Madinah. She was second to Aisha in learning. She
narrated 378 Ahadis. Her style of recitation was identical to Holy Prophet (pbuh).
Ayshah narrated that it was the habit of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to visit
each of his wives in turn after the 'Asr prayers. He would inquire about their welfare and if
they needed anything. He would start from the apartment of Umm Salamah because she was
the eldest among them, and finish his rounds at the apartment of 'Ayshah.
Umm Salamah, because of her knowledge and wisdom held an eminent position. After the
truce of Hudaybiyah, the Prophet SAW ordered his Companions to sacrifice the animals they
brought along for the purpose, and shave their heads. But they all seemed reluctant and did
not rise to obey his command. When Umm Salamah saw the situation she suggested that he
should not speak about the subject to anyone, but just go out from the tent and offer the
sacrifice and shave his head. Then he could see the effect of his action. And what she expected
happened - all the Companions followed suit.
Umm Salamah was a very wise lady. She was educated and was very devoted to the welfare of
the destitute and needy.
Umm Salamah also had the distinction of taking part in many battles of significance in the
history of Islam. She was with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during the
Battles Bani Mustalaq, Ta'if, Khaybar, Hunayn and the conquest of Makkah. She was present at
the signing of the historic treaty of Hudaybiyah or Ridwan the oath of allegiance taken place.
She was modest and generous. She led simple and pious life. She had intense love for Holy
Prophet (pbuh).
She knew very well the finer points of Islamic law about foster-relations through suckling and
divorce. 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas used to consult with her for many points of Shari'ah, (Islamic
law). Leading the list of names of Companions whose judgments on points of law were
regarded as valid is the name of Umm Salamah.
Umm Salamah had hardly any equal in mastery over language. When she spoke her words and
phrases were well chosen and exactly appropriate for the expression of ideas.
She lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four and died in the year 62nd after Hijrah. She lived to
see the rule Khulafa' Ar-Rashidin. Zaynab bint Jahash was the first among the Mothers of the
Believers to pass away and Umm Salamah the last. This was during the rule of Yazid bin
Mu'awiya.

6) Hazrat Zainab bint Jash:

She was the Prophet Mohammad’s (pbuh) first cousin. She was daughter of Umaima bint
Abdul Muttalib. She was influenced by the teachings of her brother, Abdullah bin Jahsh, to
convert to Islam. She was first given in marriage by the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) to his
adopted son Hazrat Zaid bin Hazrat. When Hazrat Zaid divorced her, she was married to the
Prophet Mohammad by command of Allah, as mentioned in Surah Al Ahzab. Zaynab used to
say very proudly to the other Mother of the Believers that her marriage had been performed
not by her family but by Allah above the Heavens with His Prophet (PBUH). This took place in 5
A.H., at that time she was 35. She was born 17 years before prophet hood. She died in 20 AH
and ‘Umar led the funeral service. She was 53 at the time of her death.
Her house was used for extension for Holy Prophet (pbuh) mosque.
A'ishah says that in terms of values and position, Zaynab was her equal. She said she had never
seen any other person who was so eager to get closer to Allah to gain nearness to Him she was
more charitable than most, and her generous behavior with relatives was impeccable.
When 'A'ishah was wrongfully accused, the whole of Al-Madinah was polluted with taunts and
filthy talk; infact even the Prophet (PBUH) was disturbed. The Prophet PBUH asked Zaynab
what her opinion was of A'ishah; she promptly said she did not wish to be involved, and did
not want to taint her ears, her eyes and her tongue with such terrible accusations. Swearing by
Allah she said, she found 'A'ishah to be a truly God-fearing lady of exemplary character. She
found in her the most wonderful traits of integrity, sincerity and honesty. She said she had not
seen in her anything but goodness and virtue.
'A'ishah narrated that Zaynab very easily could have taken advantage of the situation and
passed derogatory remarks about her. A'ishah says she never forgot the fact that she stood by
her at the worst time in her life when almost the whole world had turned against her.
When Zaynab passed away 'A'ishah recalled an occasion when the Prophet (PBUH), said that
among the Mother of the Believers, she would meet him first who had the longest arms.
Zaynab was short compared to the others and naturally her arms were also shorter. All the
ladies took this statement literally and started measuring their arms. It was only upon the
death of Zaynab that they realized what this meant. It really meant that the person with the
longest arms was the most generous.
The Prophet (PBUH) had a very organized routine. After the 'Asr prayers he would visit the
different apartments to inquire about the wellbeing of his wives. He was always very just in
the attention he paid to them and the amount of time he spent with each one of them. Once
Zaynab received some special honey from a relative, and it so happened that this was the
Prophet's favourite. Whenever she offered it to him he would spend some time longer in her
apartment, as it took time to really flavor and enjoy it. The other wives felt impatient and
restless waiting for their turn with him. So 'A'ishah and Hafsah worked out a plan. Each of
them would tell him that there was a peculiar smell in his mouth. And if all of them said the
same thing he would certainly believe them and realize that the only thing which could have
given him bad breath would have been the honey he just had. Since he was very concerned
about personal hygiene, he would definitely stop eating the honey. Of course the three
Mothers of the Believers did what they did, not out of spite, but because they loved him and
wanted him to come to them sooner.
And it happened as they planned; the Prophet (PBUH) developed a distaste for honey and
decided he would never eat it again. In the case of an ordinary human being this may not have
been a problem. But the Prophet (PBUH) was swearing not to have something that actually
was not forbidden by Allah; this could lead to any follower of his also for swearing something
not forbidden by Allah. So Allah rebuked him. As a result the Prophet (PBUH) broke the oath
he had taken and performed the penance for this in accordance with the injunctions of Allah.
Zaynab made a little mosque in a corner of her house and used to spend a lot of time there in
prayer and meditation. The Prophet (PBUH) would also pray there sometimes. She believed
strongly in asking Allah for counsel through prayer and supplication, before taking any action.
All her life's major decisions were made in this way. Infact even when the Prophet (PBUH)
proposed she turned to prayer for guidance.
She was so generous and soft-hearted that the poor and distressed of the city broke into tears
when they heard they lost their benefactress and patron. On her death she left a house which
was bought by Walid bin 'Abdul Malik for fifty thousand Dirhams and included by him in the
boundaries of the Prophet's Mosque at Al-Madinah.

7) Hazrat Jawariyah bint Haris:

Juwairiyah binti Harith RA married the Prophet PBUH in Sha’baan, 5 Hijri when he was fifty-
eight years old and she was twenty.
Before then she was married to Musaafi’ bin Safwaan who was not a Muslim and was killed in
the battle of Banu Mustaliq. Hazrat Juwairiyah RA was among the captives taken in this
campaign. Her father was Harith ibni Abi Zhiraar, was the chief of the Banu Mustaliq who later
embraced Islam. It is written that after this battle the prisoners were distributed among the
soldiers, and Juwairiyah RA fell to the lot of Thaabit bin Qais. Her father took along a number
of camels as ransom for his daughter, hoping to buy her freedom. As he was on his way to
Prophet PBUH, he decided to keep back two camels that he liked. So he hid the two camels in
a valley just outside Madina and continued with the rest. When he arrived in the presence of
Prophet PBUH he presented the camels and asked that these be accepted in lieu of his
daughter’s freedom. The Messenger of Allah PBUH asked him: “And what about the two
camels you hid in the valley? Haarith was totally astonished. Immediately he uttered the
Shahaadha and entered Islam, admitting that none besides Allah could have given information
to the Messenger about these camels.
The Prophet Pbuh married her after the battle because he wanted to save her and all her tribe
from a dishonorable fate. As soon as the marriage was announced, all the booty that had been
taken from the Banu Mustaliq was returned, and all the captives were set free, for they were
now the in laws of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Thus A’isha once said of Juwairiyah, “I
know of no woman who was more of a blessing to her people than Juwairiyah bint al-Harith.”
After they were married, the Prophet PBU changed her name from Barra to Juwairiyah.
It has been related by Juwairiyah that early one morning the Messenger PBUH left her room
while she was doing the dawn prayer. He returned later that morning and she was still sitting
in the same place. “have you been sitting in the same place since I left you?” he asked. “Yes,”
she replied. Whereupon the Prophet PBUH said, “I recited four phrases three times after I left
you, and if these were to be weighed against what you have been reciting since dawn, they
would still outweigh them. They are:

‫ﺳ�ﺒ�ﺎن ﷲ وﲝﻤﺪﻩ �ﺪد �ﻠﻘﻪ ورﺿﺎ ﻧﻔﺴﻪ وزﻧﺔ ﻋﺮﺷﻪ وﻣﺪاد ﳇﲈﺗﻪ‬
‘Glory be to Allah and Praise be to Him as much as the number of his creations, and His
pleasure, and the weight of His Throne, and the ink of His words.'”
Juwairiyah RA was married to the Prophet (PBUH) for six years, and lived for another thirty-
nine years after his death, dying in 50 AH at the age of sixty-five, may Allah be pleased with
her.

8) Hazrat Umm-e-Habibah:
Her name was Ramla before she accepted Islam. She was recognized for her gentle disposition
and her nature was defined by serenity, tranquility, and generosity. She chose the love of Allah
(SWT) and His beloved Messenger (peace be upon him) above all else- making her one of the
highly esteemed women in the realm of Islam.
Ramla bint Abi Sufyan (RA) came into the world almost thirteen years before prophet hood.
She was born in the household of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, who was the chief of the most
powerful tribe of Quraysh and was, at the time, one of the greatest enemies of Islam and the
Holy Prophet (PBUH). Her mother, Safiyya bint Abil Aas, was the aunt of Usman bin Affan (RA).
However, growing up in such an anti-Islamic environment did not hinder Ramla’s (RA)
conversion to Islam when the time came. She became one of the earliest converts to Islam,
along with her husband, Ubaydullah Ibn Jahsh, the brother of Zainab bint Jahsh. She preferred
the path of Allah (SWT) above her family and its materialistic gains. She had to endure great
hardships because of her choice, but she did so with a brave heart.
Ramla (RA) migrated to Abyssinia, along with her husband. There, she gave birth to a daughter
named Habiba, and hence, earned the title of Umm-e Habiba.
Soon after, her husband reverted back to his old ways; indulging in excessive drinking etc. He
left the fold of Islam and decided to embrace Christianity instead. He tried to persuade her to
follow suit but it was to no avail. Ramla (RA) refused to let go of her faith. Ramla (RA) lived in
Abyssinia till her Ubaydullah Ibn Jahsh’s death and became a widow.
After completing the period of waiting after the death of her husband (iddat), Ramla (RA) was
welcomed with a marriage proposal made by Negus, the king of Abyssinia on behalf of the
Holy Prophet (PBUH). Ramla (RA) was overjoyed at the proposal and readily accepted. The
ceremony was carried out in Negus’s palace where he conducted the marriage ceremony on
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) behalf and Khaled Ibn Sa’id acted on Ramla’s (RA) behalf,
holding a great feast in the honor of the marriage.
Ramla bint Abi Sufyan (RA) met the Prophet (PBUH) after six years- when she was 35 years of
age and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was 60 years of age. She got to spend only three years of her
life with him.
She used to follow the instructions and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) diligently. She
was a pious and God fearing individual, performing Ibadaah in abundance and spending her
days and nights in worship. She was a lady of grace and great dignity.
She was greatly devoted to the Prophet PBUH. When Abu Sufyan came to Madinah to have
the treaty of Hudaibiya renewed he visited his daughter’s house. However, when he wanted to
sit on the Messenger’s bed she did not allow him as he was an idol worshipper.
She strictly followed the Sunnah. She used perfume a few days later after the death of her
father just to show that a Muslim should not mourn a dead more than three days.
Ramla bint Abi Sufyan (RA) passed away at the age of 70, in 44 AH. She, too, was buried in
Jannat ul Baqi.
When Hazrat Usman was besieged in his house by the rebels and the family members had no
food or water for several days, she tried to take water for the besieged persons. But the rebels
stopped her from entering the house.
She has narrated 65 Ahadith. Among her famous students are, her brother, Hazrat Ameer
Muaawiya (R.A), her daughter, Hazrat e Sayyidah Habiba (R.A), and her nephew Hazrat Abu
Sufyaan bin Saeed (R.A).
9) Hazrat Safiyah RA:
Safiyya bint Huyayy RA married the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in 7 AH, when the Prophet was
sixty years old and she was seventeen years old. This marriage occurred after the battle of
Khaybar.
Safiyah (RA) was the daughter of Huyaiy bin Akhtab, who was the chief of the tribe of "Banu
Nazeer", the tribe which had been expelled from Medina in 4 AH. She was first married to
Salam bin Mishkam and then second married to Kanana bin Abi Al-Haqeeq. Kanana bin Abi Al-
Haqeeq was killed in the battle of "Khyber".
Safiyah (RA) was among the prisioners of war. It is reported that the famous companion Dahia
Kalbi (RA) requested to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) for a slave girl from the spoils of the war. The
Holy Prophet (pbuh) permitted him to have his own choice. He selected Safiyah (RA) but the
other companions requested to the Prophet (pbuh) to have Safiyah (RA) for himself as she was
the daughter of the chief.
The Prophet (pbuh) then gave her the choice of joining her people after freedom or accepting
Islam and coming into matrimonial relationship with him. She was very happy to marry him
(pbuh). The Prophet (pbuh) then first set her free and married her. Her freedom was
considered as her dowry.
Safiyyah RA could trace her lineage directly back to Harun, the brother of the Prophet Moses
AS.
She once said: "I was my father's favorite and also a favorite with my uncle Yasir. When the
Messenger of Allah PBUH came to Medina, my father and my uncle went to see him. It was
very early in the morning and between dawn and sunrise. They did not return until the sun
was setting. They came back worn out and depressed, walking with slow, heavy steps. I smiled
to them as I always did, but neither of them took any notice of me because they were so
miserable. I head Abu Yasir ask my father, 'Is it him?' 'Yes, it is.' 'Can you recognize him? Can
you verify it?' 'Yes, I can recognize him too well.' 'What do you feel towards him?' 'Enmity,
enmity as long as I live.'
Although Safiyya had in Muhammad PBUH a most kind and considerate husband, she was not
always favorably accepted by some of his other wives, especially when she had first joined the
Prophet's household. It is related by Anas that on one occasion, the Prophet PBUH found
Safiyya weeping. When he asked her what the matter was, she replied that she heard that
Hafsa had described her as 'the daughter of a Jew'.
The Prophet PBUH responded by saying, "You are certainly the daughter of a Prophet (Harun),
and certainly your uncle was a Prophet (Moses), and you are certainly the wife of a Prophet
(Muhammad), so what is there in that to be scornful towards you?" Then he said to Hafsa, "O
Hafsa, fear Allah!"
Once the Prophet PBUH was accompanied on a journey by Safiyya and Zaynab bint Jahsh when
Safiyya' s camel went lame. Zaynab had an extra camel and the Prophet asked her if she would
give it to Safiyya. Zaynab retorted, "Should I give to that Jewess!" The Prophet turned away
from her in anger and would not have anything to do with her for two or three months not to
show his disapproval of what she had said.
When Muhammad PBUH was in his final illness, Safiyya felt for him deeply and sincerely. "O
Messenger of Allah," she said, "I wish it was I who was suffering instead of you." Some of the
wives winked at each other which made the Prophet cross and he exclaimed, "By Allah, she
spoke the truth!"
She underwent difficulties after the death of the Prophet PBUH. Once a slave girl she owned
went to the Ameer al Mominen Umar and said, "Ameer al Momineen! Safiyya loves the
Sabbath and maintains ties with the Jews!" Umar asked Safiyya about that and she said, "I
have not loved the Sabbath since Allah replaced it with Friday for me, and I only maintain ties
with those Jews to whom I am related by kinship." She asked her slave girl what had possessed
her to carries lie to Umar and the girl replied, "Shaytan!" Safiyya said, "Go, you are free."
Safiyyah was with the Prophet PBUH for nearly four years, She was only twenty-one when the
Prophet PBUH died, and lived as a widow for the next thirty-nine years, dying in 50 AH, at the
age of sixty.
She was very generous and she gave her jewellery to Fatima (RA) bint Muhammad PBUH and
the other wives of the Prophet PBUH when she came to Madina-al-Munauwara after her
marriage.

Hazrat Maimunah bint Haris:

Maymuna bint al-Harith (RA) was the last woman to join the ranks of Umm al-Mo’mineen,
mother of the believers, and became the last wife of our Holy Prophet PBUH. She was sister-
in-law of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib. She was once divorced and widowed. She belonged to the
tribe of Quraish.
Their wedding ceremony took place in the blessed month of Shawwal, in the year 7 AH. This
marriage happened soon after the treaty of Hudaybiyya had taken place. The Holy Prophet
PBUH was 60 years old at the time of their marriage, while Maymuna (RA) was 36 years old.
Upon their matrimony, the Holy Prophet PBUH changed her birth name “Barra” to
“Maymuna”, which literally meant ‘blessed’
Maymuna (RA) spent only three years with the Holy Prophet PBUH before his demise.
When the Holy Prophet PBUH passed away, she lived on in the city of Medina for the next 40
years. It is said that Maymuna (RA) was a kind natured woman, who cared greatly about
maintaining her ties of kinship and looking after the people around her. Like all other wives of
the Prophet PBUH, Maymuna (RA) was known for her piety and was deeply devoted to her
worship of Allah (SWT). Moreover, it is also believed that it was in her room, where the Holy
Prophet PBUH felt the onset of the earlier symptoms of his last illness before his death and
went on to seek his wife's’ permission be moved to Aisha’s (RA) house thereafter.
Maymuna (RA) was also a woman of great knowledge and intellect. She is known to have
taught Muslims many of the Sunnah and hadith of the Holy Prophet SAW. It is believed that
she is the narrator of around 46 ahadith.
Maymuna bint al-Harith (RA) passed on at the age of 80, in the year 51 AH.
There is a consensus amongst the Islamic scholars that it was after the Prophet’s PBUH
marriage to Maymuna bint al-Harith (RA), his last wife, that Allah (SWT) revealed the following
ayah:
“It is not lawful for you (O Muhammad, to marry more) women after this, nor to exchange
them for other wives, even though their beauty is pleasing to you, except those whom your
right hand possesses (as maid servants); and Allah is always watching over everything” (Quran
33:52).

Hazrat Maria Qibtia:

She came from a respectable and wealthy family. She was a present from the Chief of Egypt,
Muqawqis. It so happened that after the signing of Treaty of Hudaibiya, the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) was ordered by Allah Almighty to spread the message of Islam to the world at large
and to move beyond his immediate geographical territory.
He acknowledged the Holy (PBUH) as the Last Prophet and welcomed Hatib bin Abi with open
arms. The delegation was treated well and they returned bearing gifts for the Prophet (PBUH).
The gifts included two slave girls Maria al-Qibtiyya and her sister Sirin, a white mule, a donkey,
some money as well as various Egyptian products. He explained that the reason for his non-
conversion to Islam was due to his fear of being discharged by the superior authority.
Somehow his position as a leader was under threat if he were to convert to Islam. Hence the
delegation returned back to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) bearing gifts.
On the way back to Madina, Hatib bin Abi Balta convinced the two slave girls – Maria Al
Qibtiyya and her sister Sirin – to accept Islam and upon their arrival, they formally came under
the fold of the religion of Islam. When the slave girls were presented to the Holy Prophet
(PBUH), he decided to marry Maria al-Qibtiyya and gave away her sister (Sirin) to Hassan bin
Thabit. Maria al-Qibtiyya was almost 20 years old when she came to Madina with the
delegation in 628 AD. She was known to be a beautiful, kind hearted and charitable woman
who stayed loyal to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

She embraced Islam before reaching Madinah. Later Holy Prophet (pbuh) married her. She
passed away 5 years after her son passed away and is buried in Jannat-ul –Baqi.
She gave birth to the Holy Prophet’s son, Ibrahim by which she rose in esteem and position
among other wives. She was second lady after Hazrat Khadija to have a son. She was respected
by first two Khalifas of Islam and got pension.
She was pious and religious minded. She was a kindhearted and charitable woman.
Unlike the other wives of the Prophet (PBUH) who lived around the mosque, the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) gave Maria al-Qibtiyya a residence in the outskirts of Madina which is known to us
today as Mashrabat Umm Ibrahim.
Maria al-Qibtiyya’s status as the Prophet’s (PBUH) wife remained disputable initially. However,
after she gave birth to the baby boy in 8 Hijri, her status was raised to that of a free woman
and indeed she became one of the most favored wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The
Prophet (PBUH) too was ecstatic upon hearing the news of a son and named him Ibrahim,
after the ancestor of Islam.
Ibrahim’s birth was celebrated by giving away grains to the poor and needy of Madina. And
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) visited the house of Maria al-Qibtiyya every day after the birth of his
son and took care of him and loved him like any great father would. The joy that Ibrahim’s
birth brought to the Prophet (PBUH) and his wife did not last very long. For soon Ibrahim fell
seriously ill and was taken care off by his mother and aunt Sirin. With each passing day, his
condition worsened and when it became evident that he would not survive, the Prophet
(PBUH) was called. The Prophet (PBUH) held Ibrahim in his arms as he took his last breaths and
let him go as a will of God Almighty. The death of Ibrahim was a great loss for both the
Prophet (PBUH) and his wife, who loved the child dearly.
After the death of Ibrahim, the non-believers started mocking the Prophet (PBUH) and said
that his God had cut him off and he had no one left to carry his name forward. The Holy
Prophet (PBUH) was devastated and so Allah Almighty revealed the following verses of Surah
al-Kausar (abundance) in favor of the grieving Prophet (PBUH):
Maria al-Qibtiyya was an honorable and respectable woman who only spent three years of her
life with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as he too left this world a few months after the death of his
son.
After she had lost the two most important people in her life, Maria al-Qibtiyya bound herself
to the four walls of her house. In the five years that she outlived the Prophet (PBUH), she only
went out to visit the grave of her beloved son or her husband. She died in 16 AH and her
funeral prayers were led by Umar bin Khattab. She too was buried in Jannat-ul Baqi.

Rehana Bint Zayd RA

Among the wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), two were of Jewish backgrounds- one of which
was Reyhana bint Zayd (RA). Through her marriage to the Prophet (PBUH), she too was blessed
with the title of “Ummul Mo'mineen”- mother of the believers.
She originally belonged to the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir and she was previously married to Al-
Hakim, who belonged to the tribe of Banu Qurayza. In 627, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) defeated
the army of Banu Qurayza after a siege that lasted for twenty-five days. All the men belonging
to the Banu Qurayza tribe were executed on the charge of treason and the women and
children were enslaved by the Muslims.
Rehana bint Zayd (RA) was amongst the enslaved and had become a widow at the time.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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.
According to some sources, initially, she is known to have refused the offer out of love for her
deceased husband and her faith. However, eventually, she changed her mind and converted to
Islam. Upon this news, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) freed her and married her.
The details of her life are unclear and fairly scarce. The year of her death is also quite
uncertain- some scholars believe that she passed away when the Prophet (PBUH) returned
from his farewell pilgrimage. Others believe that she lived on after the death of the Prophet
(PBUH) and died 10 years after.
She was buried at Jannat al Baqi