The lap of the mother is known to be the best madrasah. The reality is that if women have the love for Deen and good actions then its effect will also naturally be found in their children. In these times, our children are brought up in an un-Islamic environment that either pulls them away from Islam or at the least they are not bothered about their duties towards Allah Ta’ala. When the early years are spent in this way, the consequences that follow are obvious.
Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ once told one of his pupils: “Shall I tell you the story of Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , the dearest and the most beloved daughter of Nabi ﷺ ?” When the pupil replied “Yes”, he said: “Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا used to grind the grain herself, which caused sores on her hands. She carried water for the house in a leather bag, which left a mark on her chest. She cleaned the house herself, which made her clothes dirty. Once, when some prisoners of war were brought to Madinah Munawwarah, I told her, ‘Go to Nabi ﷺ and ask him for a servant to help you in your house-work.’ She went to him but found many people around him. As she was very shy, she did not have the courage to ask Nabi ﷺ in front of other people.
The next day Nabi ﷺ came to our house and said, ‘Faatimah! What made you come to me yesterday?’ She felt shy and kept quiet. I said, ‘O, Nabi of Allah! Faatimah has sores on both her hands and marks on her chest because of grinding grain and carrying water. She is always busy in cleaning the house causing her clothes to remain dirty. I told her about the prisoners of war and told her to go and ask you for a servant.’” It has also been reported that Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا herself made a request; “‘Ali and I own only one bedding, which is a goatskin. We use it at night to sleep on and during the day to put the feed of the camel.’ Nabi ﷺ said, ‘Faatimah! Be patient. Nabi Musa ﷺ and his wife owned only one bedding for ten years, which was also the cloak of Musa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ . Acquire the fear Allah Ta’ala and keep on fulfilling the commands of Allah Ta’ala and do all your own housework. Before going to bed read:-1. Subhanallah 33 times,
You will find this better than a servant.’ Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا replied, ‘I am happy with what Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ would be pleased with.’”
Note: Look! This is the life of the dear daughter of the King of both the worlds. Nowadays, even when a little wealth enters a family, the ladies think that it is below their dignity to do the housework. Let alone the housework, they even want help with their own work - even in their bathrooms! In this Hadith, the above zikr should be read before sleeping. In other Ahaadith, Nabi ﷺ advised Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا to read after every Salaah,
Lailaha illallaho wahdahu lasharikalahu lahulmulku walahulhamdu wahuwa ala kulli shayin Qadir
Once, Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا received a gift of more than one hundred thousand (100000) Dirhams. She started distributing it to the poor, till not a single Dirham was left with her by the evening. She was fasting that day. Her maid servant brought her a loaf of bread and a little olive oil for Iftaar, and said “I wish we had kept one Dirham for ourselves to get some meat for Iftaar.” Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا said; “What’s the use of complaining now. If you had told me at that time, I would have bought some meat.”
Note: Gifts were often received by Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ from Hadhrat Mu’aawiyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and others, as that was the time of ease and wealth for the Muslims as country after country came into their control. In spite of all this wealth, Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا led a life of poverty. Look! She gives 100 000 Dirhams to the poor, but she does not remember to get some meat for her own Iftaar. Today, such stories seem to be impossible but to the people who had understood the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , hundreds of such stories are quite possible. There are many stories like this about Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . Once she was fasting and had nothing for her Iftaar except one piece of bread. A poor man came and begged for some food. She asked her maid to give him that piece of bread. The maid said: “If I give him the piece of bread, there will be nothing left for your Iftaar.” She said: “Never mind. Let him have the piece.” Once she killed a snake. She saw someone in her dream, saying: “Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , you killed a Muslim.” She replied: “How could a Muslim come into the house of Nabi’s ﷺ widow?” The person replied: “But he had come in purdah (disguise).” She immediately got up from her sleep and at once spent twelve thousand (12 000) Dirhams in Sadaqah, which was the blood-money (compensation) fixed for a Muslim killed by mistake. Hadhrat Urwah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I once saw Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا spending seventy thousand (70 000) Dirhams in charity, while she herself, was wearing a dress with patches.”
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was Hadhrat Aa’ishah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ sister’s son (nephew). He was very dear to her, as she had brought him up. He did not like her spending so much in charity, while she herself lived in difficulty and poverty. He mentioned this to somebody and said: “My aunt must be stop from doing that.” She heard about this and was so unhappy that she took an oath not speak to Hadhrat Abdullah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ for the rest of her life. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was very upset by her oath. He sent many people to speak to her for him, but she told them, “I have taken an oath and I am not ready to break it.” When Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was extremely worried, he at last, took two people from the family of Nabi’s ﷺ mother to her house to plead for him. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ allowed them to enter the house and to speak to her from behind a curtain. Ibn Zubair رضوالله عن also quietly got in with them. When they started talking, he crossed the curtain and hugged his aunt, crying and begging her for forgiveness. The two people also begged and reminded her of Nabi’s ﷺ stopping a Muslim from refusing to speak with another Muslim. When she heard this Hadith, she could not control herself and began to cry very bitterly. She forgave Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and began to speak with him. She then began freeing slave after slave because of her breaking her oath, until forty slaves had been set free by her. Even later on, whenever she thought of the breaking of her oath, she cried so much that her shawl would become wet with her tears.
Note: How much do we worry about the oaths we take from morning till evening? It is for everyone to check his own self and answer. Come and see the people who had real respect for Allah Ta’ala and understood the importance of fulfilling vows. How deeply did they feel when they were unable to fulfil an oath? That is why we see Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا crying so much whenever she remembered that incident about the breaking of her oath.
Who does not know about the love that Nabi ﷺ had for his dear wife Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا ? It is said that when he was asked whom he loved the most, he replied, “Aa’ishah.” She was so learned in Fiqh (Islamic laws) that many famous Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ would go to her to find out Islamic laws. Hadhrat Jibraa-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ used to greet her with ‘Assalamu Alaikum.’ Nabi ﷺ told her that she would be his wife in Jannah. When she was falsely accused by the Munaafiqeen (Hypocrites), Allah Ta’ala cleared her name and declared her innocence in the Qur-aan. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا once counted ten special qualities that Allah Ta’ala had given her over the other wives of Nabi ﷺ . They have been mentioned in detail by Hadhrat Ibn Sa’d رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Her spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala has already been narrated in the earlier stories. In spite of all these virtues, she feared Allah Ta’ala so much that she was often heard saying; “I wish I was a tree, so that I could be always busy with Allah’s tasbih and be saved from answering on the Day of Qiyaamah.” “I wish I had been a stone or a piece of earth.” “I wish I had been a leaf on a tree or a blade of grass.” “I wish I had not been born at all.”
Note: The stories about the fear of Allah Ta’ala which the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ had in their hearts, has already been given in Chapter two. This was the guiding factor of their lives.
Ummul-Mu’mineen, Hadhrat Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was first married to Abu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . The husband and wife were very close to each other. Once Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا told her husband: “I have heard that if a husband does not marry another woman during the life or after the death of his wife, and also if the wife does not remarry after the death of her husband, when entered into Jannah, the couple is allowed to live there as husband and wife. Give me your word that you will not marry after my death, and I too promise that I will not marry again if you pass away before me.” Hadhrat Abu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “Will you do as I say?” She replied: “That is why I am asking you so that I can obey you. He said: “I want you to take a husband after my death.” He then made dua, saying, “O, Allah! After my death let Ummu Salamah be married to a husband better than me. May he not give her any trouble at all.” In the beginning, the couple emigrated to Abyssinia. After their return, they then again emigrated to Madinah Munawwarah. Hadhrat Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “When my husband made up his mind to emigrate to Madinah Munawwarah, he loaded the camel with the luggage. He then made sure that I should ride the camel with our son Salamah. He led the camel out of the town, holding the string in his hand. The people of my father’s family (Banu Mughirah) saw us leaving. They came and grabbed the string from Hadhrat Abu Salamah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ hand saying, ‘You can go wherever you like but we cannot allow our girl to go and travel from place to place.’ Then by force they took my son and me back to their family. When the people of my husband’s family, Banu Abdul As’ad, learnt this, they came to Banu Mughirah and began to fight with them saying, ‘You can keep your girl if you like, but you have no right over the child who belongs to our family. Why should we allow him to stay in your family, when you have not allowed your girl to go with her husband?’ They forcefully took the boy away. Hadhrat Abu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had already gone to Madinah Munawwarah. All the members of my family were now separated from one another. I would go out to the desert daily and cry there from morning till night. I lived in this condition for one full year, separated from my husband and my son. One day, one of my cousins, taking pity on me, told the people of the family, ‘You have separated this poor woman from her husband and son. Why don’t you have mercy on her and let her go?’ Due to the caring efforts of this cousin of mine, the people of Banu Mughirah agreed to let me go and join my husband. Banu Abdul As’ad also gave me back my son. I got a camel ready and with my son in my lap, I sat on its back and left for Madinah Munawwarah all alone. I had only gone four miles, when Hadhrat Usmaan bin Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ met me at Tan’eem. He asked me, ‘Where are you going?’ I replied, ‘To my husband in Madinah Munawwarah.’ He said, ‘Are you going alone?’ I said, ‘Yes, nobody besides Allah Ta’ala is with me.’ He took the rope of my camel and began to lead. By Allah, I had never come across a person more righteous than Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . When I had to get down, he would make the camel sit and himself go behind a tree and when I had to climb up he would bring the camel and make it sit close to me. He would then hold the rope and lead the animal. In this way we reached Quba (a village on the outskirts of Madinah Munawwarah). He told me that Hadhrat Abu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was staying there. He then took us to my husband and then returned all the way back to Makkah Mukarramah. By Allah, I have never seen anybody more honourable and kind than Hadhrat Usmaan bin Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and by Allah, no one else could bear the hardships that I suffered during that year.”
Note: Look at Hadhrat Ummu Salamah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا Imaan and trust in Allah Ta’ala. She set out on a long and dangerous journey all alone. See how Allah Ta’ala sent his help to her. No doubt Allah Ta’ala can send anybody to offer help to those who place their trust in Him, because the hearts of all the people are in His control. As a rule, a female is not allowed to travel alone on a long journey, except for the fardh hijrat for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. There is thus no objection on her traveling alone in this incident.
During the time of Nabi ﷺ , just as the men loved to go out in the path of Allah Ta’ala, the women also wanted to sacrifice in the path of Allah Ta’ala whenever they had a chance.
Hadhrat Ummu Ziyaad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “In the Battle of Khaibar, six of us (women) reached the battlefield. When Nabi ﷺ came to know of it, he called us and said with anger, ‘Who allowed you to come over here? Who brought you to this place?’ We said, ‘O Nabi of Allah! We know knitting and we have some medicines with us. We shall help the men by passing arrows to them, by helping them when they are sick and by preparing food for them.’ Nabi ﷺ allowed us to stay.”
Note: The women of that time were braver than even the men of our times. Look at the courage of these women who reached the battlefield on their own and offered to do different jobs in the battlefield. Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا joined the battle of Hunayn whilst she was pregnant, carrying Abdullah bin Abi Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . She kept a dagger with her. Nabi ﷺ asked, “What is this dagger for, O, Ummu Sulaim?” She replied: “I shall stab the stomach of any Kaafir who comes close to me.” She had also taken part in the battle of Uhud, where she took care and treated the injured. Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I saw Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا in the battlefield, bringing water for the injured very diligently.”
Ummu Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the maternal aunt of Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Nabi ﷺ often visited her and sometimes had his afternoon nap at her place. Once he was sleeping in her house, when he woke up smiling. Hadhrat Ummu Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا said: “O, Nabi ﷺ may my parents be sacrificed for you, tell me what made you smile.” He replied: “I saw in my dream a few of my followers going for Jihaad across the sea. They looked like kings sitting on their thrones in their ships.” Hadhrat Ummu Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا said: “O, Nabi of Allah! Make dua that I may also be from those people.” “You will be one of them!” He replied and went to sleep again, and got up smiling for the second time.
Hadhrat Ummu Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا again asked him why he was smiling, Nabi ﷺ gave a similar reply. Hadhrat Ummu Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا asked him to make dua for her to join them also, but he said: “You are with the first group only.” During the Khilaafat (rule) of Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Ameer Muaawiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the Governor of Syria, wanted permission to attack the Island of Cyprus. This permission was given by Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Hadhrat Ummu Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , with her husband Hadhrat Ubaadah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , was in that army. While returning from the island, she fell from her mule, broke her neck and passed away. She was buried in Cyprus.
Note: Look at the spirit of Hadhrat Ummu Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . She wanted to join both the armies. As she was meant to pass away during the first journey, Nabi ﷺ did not make dua for her taking part in the second one.
Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the mother of Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . After her husband passed away, she did not marry again for some time so that she could bring up her son properly. She then married Hadhrat Abu Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and had a son named Abu Umair from him. Nabi ﷺ used to go to her house and play with the child.
One day, Abu Umair was ill and Hadhrat Abu Talha رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was fasting. While Hadhrat Abu Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was out on his job, the child passed away. Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا washed and enshrouded the body and laid it in the cot. She then took a bath, changed her clothes and beautified herself. When Abu Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ returned home and had his Iftaar, he asked her: “How is the child?” She replied: “He is now in peace.” The husband was satisfied with the reply. The couple then shared the bed for the night. When they got up in the morning, they had the following conversation.
Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا said: “I have a question to ask you.” Hadhrat Abu Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked: “What is it?” Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا asked: “If a person borrowed something, should he give it back or not if he is asked for it?” Hadhrat Abu Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ replied: “He must give it back. He has no right to keep it.” Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا then said: “Abu Umair was given to us by Allah Ta’ala. He has taken him back.” Hadhrat Abu Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was filled with grief. He simply said: “But why did you not tell me before?” He went to Nabi ﷺ and told the story to him. Nabi ﷺ made dua for him and said: “Allah Ta’ala will bless your sharing the bed with your wife last night.” An Ansaari Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ says: “I lived to see the effect of Nabi’s ﷺ dua. As a result of his union with his wife on that night,
Hadhrat Abu Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ got a son named Abdullah. This Abdullah had nine sons, all of whom were Qurraa.” It is an act of great courage and patience to do what Hadhrat Ummu Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا did when her son had passed away. She did not like her husband to know about the death of the child while he was fasting and needed food and rest.
Ummul Mu’mineen Hadhrat Ummu Habibah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was first married to Ubaidullah bin Jahsh. Both together accepted Islam and migrated to Abyssinia. Her husband became a Christian and died there as a Christian. While she was still passing her days in Abyssinia as a widow, Nabi 
sent his offer through King Negus to marry her. She accepted the offer and came to Madinah Munawwarah to live with Nabi ﷺ .
During the period of the truce between the Muslims and the kuffaar of Mecca, her father Abu Sufyaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ (who was not yet a Muslim)
once came to Madinah Munawwarah for negotiations in connection with reinforcing the truce. He went to visit Ummu Habibah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . As he was about to sit on the bedding in her room, she pulled it from under him. He was surprised that instead of spreading a bedding for him, she removed the bedding that was there. He asked: “Was the bedding unfit for me or I unfit for the bedding?” She replied: “This bedding is for the pure and dear Nabi ﷺ , while you are a kaafir (disbeliever) and, therefore, unclean. How can I allow you to sit on this bedding?” This hurt Abu Sufyaan and he remarked, “Since you left me, you have learnt bad manners.” The great respect that she had for Nabi ﷺ , would not allow her to let an unclean mushrik, even though he was her own father, to sit on Nabi’s ﷺ bedding. Once she came to know from Nabi ﷺ about the rewards of twelve rakaats of Chaasht (nafl salaat read in the late morning). Since that time, she always read this Salaah regularly. Her father Hadhrat Abu Sufyaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ later accepted Islam. On the third day after his death, she sent for some perfume and used it saying: “I don’t desire or even need perfume. I have heard Nabi ﷺ saying, ‘A woman is not allowed to mourn over the death of any person (except her husband’s) for more than three days. (The mourning period in the case of a husband’s death is four months and ten days). I am using the perfume only to show that I am not mourning.” When she was about to die, she sent for Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and said: “We were co-wives, sharing the love of Nabi ﷺ , and co-wives generally do cause hurt to one another. I forgive you. Please forgive me too.” Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا said: “I forgive you by all means. May Allah Ta’ala also forgive you.” She replied: “O, Aa’ishah, you have made me very happy. May Allah Ta’ala also keep you happy.” She also sent for Hadhrat Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and asked her for forgiveness.
Note: The jealousy between co-wives is natural and often intense. Hadhrat Ummu Habibah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا wanted to be forgiven by the people before she appeared before Allah Ta’ala. Her respect and love for Nabi ﷺ can be understood from her behaviour towards her own father.
Ummul Mu’mineen Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was a cousin of Nabi ﷺ . She accepted Islam in the early days. At first, she was married to Hadhrat Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who was a freed slave and the adopted son of Nabi ﷺ . He was therefore known as Hadhrat Zaid bin Muhammad. Hadhrat Zaid ﷺ could not get on well with Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and eventually divorced her. Now, according to the Arab customs before Islam, an adopted son was treated as a real son, so much so that his widow or divorced wife could not be married to his adopted father. Nabi ﷺ wanted to break this custom, so he asked Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا to marry him. When Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا received the offer, she said: “Let me ask Allah Ta’ala!” She then made wudhu and stood up in Salaah. Her action was liked by Allah Ta’ala and the following aayat was revealed to Nabi ﷺ .
Translation: “So when Zaid had divorced her, we gave her to you in marriage, so that there may be no sin for believers in marrying the wives of their adopted sons, when they have divorced them. The command of Allah must be fulfilled.” (Surah A’hzaab - Aayah 37)
When Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was told of the good news that Allah Ta’ala had married her to Nabi ﷺ and had revealed an aayah about her, then in happiness, she gave away all her jewellery that she was wearing at that time to the person who had brought the news to her. Then she went down in Sajdah and promised to fast for two months. She was very proud of the fact that, while every other wife of Nabi ﷺ was given in marriage to him by their relatives, she was given over in marriage by Allah Ta’ala, as stated in the Qur-aan. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was also proud of being the most beloved wife of Nabi ﷺ and there was always some competition between the two wives. In spite of all this, when Nabi ﷺ asked Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا amongst others, of her opinion about Hadhrat Aa’ishah ٢ ول in the matter of the slander against Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , she said: “I find everything good in Aa’ishah” Look at her honesty and strong character. This was an occasion where, she could have harmed the reputation of her rival and lowered her, in the eyes of their common husband, who loved Hadhrat Aaishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ very much. On the other hand, she praised her in very strong words. Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was a very pious lady. She fasted very often and would read Nafl Salaah regularly. She earned by working with her hands, and spent all that she earned in the path of Allah Ta’ala. At the time of the death of Nabi ﷺ , his wives asked him: “Which one of us will join you first?” He said: “The one with the longest arms.” They began to measure their arms with a stick. They however, came to know later that long hands meant generous spending in charity. Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the first to pass away after Nabi ﷺ . Hadhrat Barazah ﷺ says: “Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ decided to pay a yearly allowance to the Ummahaat-ul-Mu’mineen (wives of Nabi ﷺ ) from the Baitul Maal. He sent me with 12 000 dirhams to Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا as her share. She thought that the 12 000 was to be shared by all the wives, and told me, ‘Umar 
should have asked somebody else to distribute this money.’ I said, ‘It is the yearly share for you alone.’ She asked me to throw it in the corner of the room and cover it with a piece of cloth. Then she mentioned the names of some poor people, widows and her relatives, and asked me to give one handful to each of them. After I had distributed the money according to her wishes, some money was still left under the cloth. I asked her if I could have something for myself. She said, ‘You may take the rest.’ I counted the money. It was eighty-four Dirhams. She then lifted her hands in dua and said, ‘O, Allah! Keep this money away from me, because it brings temptation.’ She passed away before the allowance for the next year could be paid to her. When Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ came to know of what she had done with the money, he sent her another 1000 dirhams for her own needs, but even those she distributed very quickly. During the last part of her life, the Muslims were taking over country after country, and wealth was pouring into Madinah Munawwarah. Yet she left no money or other wealth after her death, except the house where she lived. She was called Ma’wal Masaakeen (shelter of the poor), due to her generous spending in charity.” A woman says: “Once Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and I were colouring our clothes with red dye. Nabi ﷺ came in, but went out again when he saw us colouring our clothes. Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا felt that Nabi ﷺ had perhaps not liked our clothes being dyed in that colour. She immediately washed all the dyed clothes till their colour was gone.” Later when Nabi ﷺ came and saw that there was no dying of clothes, he went inside.
Note: Everybody knows the love women have for money and colourful clothes. But look at these ladies, who gave away the money received by them in charity and got rid of any colour which caused Nabi ﷺ to be unhappy.
Hadhrat Khansa رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a famous poetess. She and some others of her clan embraced Islam in Madinah. Ibn Athir writes: “All masters of literature were unanimous in declaring that the best woman poet in Arabic was Hadhrat Khansa رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . No woman in history has ever written such Arabic poetry as Hadhrat Khansa رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . During the time of Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , in the year 16 A.H., the famous battle of Qadisiyyah was fought between the Muslims and the Persians. Hadhrat Khansa رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and her four sons took part in this battle. Before the battle, she encouraged her four sons, saying: “O, my sons! You accepted Islam and made Hijrat of your own free will. By Allah Ta’ala, besides whom there is no deity, you all are the sons of the same father, just as you are the sons of the same mother. I was never unfaithful to your father, nor did I disgrace your uncle (my brother). I neither allowed a bad name to come on your high birth, nor spoiled your noble family pedigree. You know what rewards Allah Ta’ala has promised for those who fight against the kuffaar in His path. You must remember that the everlasting life of the Aakhirat is far better than the short life of this world. Allah Ta’ala has said in the Qur-aan-e-Kareem:
Translation: ‘O you, who have Imaan! Be patient, compete in having patience, continue doing good deeds and fear Allah Ta’ala so that you may be successful.’ (Surah Aale I’mraan - Aayah 200)’
Translation: When you get up tomorrow morning, be prepared to give off your best in the battle. Go ahead into the enemy lines, asking for help from Allah Ta’ala. When you see the fighting becoming severe, go right into the centre and face the enemy chiefs. Insha-Allah! You will get your home in Jannah with honour and success.” The next day, when the battle was in full swing, all four sons went towards the enemy lines. One by one, while saying their mother’s poem they attacked the enemy and fought till all of them were martyred. When the mother got the news, she said: “Alhamdulillah! All praise be to Allah Ta’ala, who has honoured me with their martyrdom. I hope that Allah Ta’ala will join me with them under the shade of His Mercy.”
Note: Look at a mother of that time. She encouraged her sons to jump into the thick of battle and when all her sons are killed one after the other, she praises Allah Ta’ala and thanks Him.
Hadhrat Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the aunt of Nabi ﷺ and a real sister of Hadhrat Hamzah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . She took part in the battle of Uhud. When the Muslims were losing and some of them began to escape from the battle, she would hit their faces with her spear and send them back. In the battle of Khandaq (Trench), Nabi ﷺ had collected all the Muslim women in a fortress and had ordered Hadhrat Hassaan bin Saabit رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ to look after them. The Jews, who were hostile to the muslims, were always looking for such opportunities for doing mischief. A group of them approached the place and sent one of their men to spy. Hadhrat Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا saw the Jew coming to the fort. She told Hadhrat Hassaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ : “There is a Jew coming to spy on us. You go out and kill him.” Hadhrat Hassaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a weak person. He did not have the courage to do such a job. Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا took a tent peg and went outside the fortress and gave a blow on the head of the Jew and killed him on the spot. She came back and said to Hassaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ : “The man is dead. I did not remove the clothes and weapons from his body because of shame and modesty. Now you go and remove everything from his body. Also bring his head after cutting it off from the body.” Hadhrat Hassaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was too weak-hearted to do that even. She herself went again and brought his head, and threw it over the wall amongst the Jews. When they saw this, they said: “We were wondering how Muhammad (ﷺ ) could keep the women alone in this fort. Surely, there are men inside to guard the ladies.”
Note: Hadhrat Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا passed away in 20 A.H. at the age of seventy-three. The war of the Trench was fought in 5 A.H. Therefore, in the war of the Trench, she was 58 years old. These days, a lady of that age is hardly able to do her household work. But look how Hadhrat Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا goes and kills a Jew all alone.
Hadhrat Asma bint Yazid Ansaari رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا came to Nabi ﷺ and said: “O, Nabi of Allah! I love you more than my parents. The Muslim women have sent me to ask you on their behalf, because you are the Nabi of Allah Ta’ala for men and women. So we, women, have brought Imaan on you and on Allah Ta’ala. We remain in purdah (concealed), confined to our homes. We fulfil the marital rights of our husbands, bearing children for them and looking after their homes. Despite all this, the men get more rewards than us for actions which we are unable to do. They read their daily Salaah and weekly Jumu’ah in the Masjid, visit the sick, go to the funerals, perform Hajj after Hajj and, above all, fight in the path of Allah Ta’ala. When they go for Hajj or Jihaad, we look after their belongings, bring up their children and weave cloth for them. Do we also have a share in their rewards?” Nabi ﷺ said to the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ sitting around him: “Did you ever hear a woman asking a better question?” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ replied: “O, Nabi of Allah! We never thought that a woman could ever ask such a question.” Then Nabi ﷺ said to Asma ﷺ , “Listen carefully and then go and tell the ladies that sent you, that when a woman looks after her husband, seeks his pleasure and fulfils her responsibilities, then she also gets the same reward as the men for all their ibaadat to Allah Ta’ala.” Hadhrat Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا returned very happily after getting this reply to her question.
Note: Obedience and good behaviour towards the husband is a great thing for women. But generally they are negligent in this matter. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ once told Nabi ﷺ : “In other countries, people bow down before their kings and chiefs. You deserve much more respect so allow us to make sajdah to you.” Nabi ﷺ said, “No. If it were allowed to bow down (make sajdah) before anybody besides Allah Ta’ala, then I would ask the women to make sajdah to their husbands.”
He then said, “By Him (by Allah) who has my life in His hand, a woman cannot fulfil her rights to Allah Ta’ala until she fulfils the rights of her husband.” It is reported in a Hadith that once a camel made sajdah before Nabi ﷺ . The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ said: “When this animal makes sajdah before you, why should we also not make sajdah to you?” He replied: “Never! If I could ask somebody to make sajdah to any-body besides Allah Ta’ala, I would ask the wives to make sajdah to their husbands.” Regarding this Nabi ﷺ said:
“A woman whose husband is pleased with her at the time of her death goes straight into Jannah.”
“A woman who is angry with her husband and she stays away from him in anger for the night, is cursed by the Malaai’kah.”
“The Salaah of two people hardly rises above their heads in its journey to the skies. These two people are a run-away slave and a disobedient wife.”
Hadhrat Ummu Ammarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا is one of those Ansaar women who accepted Islam in the very beginning. She was from the group that took bay’at to Nabi ﷺ at Al-Aqabah. Al-Aqabah in Arabic means a narrow mountain road. In the early days of Islam, the new Muslims were ill-treated very badly by the Quraish. They would put all sorts of difficulties in the way of Tabligh. Therefore, Nabi ﷺ carried on his work quietly and secretly. People from Madinah Munawwarah who used to come to Makkah Mukarramah for Hajj usually accepted Islam secretly in a mountain pass near Mina, so that the Quraish might not see them. Hadhrat Ummu Ammarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was in the third such group from Madinah Munawwarah. She joined most of the battles that were fought after Hijrah (migration). She took an important part in Uhud, Hudaibiyyah, Khaibar, Umratul Qadhaa, Hunayn and Yamaamah.
At time of the battle of Uhud, She was forty-three years old. Her husband and two sons were also fighting in this battle. She herself narrates, “I took a leather bottle full of water and went to Uhud to help the wounded and the thirsty. In the beginning, the Muslims were winning, but things changed in a moment and the enemies were in a winning position. I had reached Nabi ﷺ , when many of the enemy troops rushed to attack and kill him. I protected Nabi ﷺ whenever anybody came close to him.” Initially she did not even have a shield. After receiving one, she would stop the attacks of the kuffaar on Nabi ﷺ by using it. She had a cloth-belt round her waist, full of pieces of cloth, with which she cared for the wounded. She herself got about twelve to thirteen wounds, one of which was very serious.” Hadhrat Ummu Sa’eed رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “I once saw a very deep cut on the shoulder of Hadhrat Ummu Ammarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . I asked her how she had got that. She said, ‘I got it in the Battle of Uhud. When people were running about in confusion, I saw Ibn Qumayyah coming towards us and shouting, Where is Muhammad ﷺ . Let somebody tell me where he is. If he is saved today, I am no more.’ Mus’ab bin Umair رض اللّهُ عَنَهُ and some others stopped him. And I was amongst them. He gave me this deep cut on my shoulder. I also attacked him, but he escaped because of the double coat of armour that he was wearing.” After treating it for one year, the wound would not heal. In the meantime, Nabi ﷺ decided to go to Hamraaul-Asad. Hadhrat Ummu Ammarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا also got ready but she could not join as her wound had still not healed. When Nabi ﷺ returned from this battle, he first went to visit Hadhrat Ummu Ammarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . He was very happy to find her better. Besides this wound, she suffered many other injuries in the battle of Uhud. She says: “We were quite weak in Uhud. The enemies were on horseback, while we fought on foot. There would have been a fair fight if they too had been on foot. When somebody on horseback would attack me, I stopped his sword with my shield and when he turned around, I attacked his horse from the back and cut its leg. This caused the horse as well as the rider to fall on the ground. As soon as this happened, Nabi ﷺ would shout to my son, who would run to help me and then we both finished the man.” Her son Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I had a wound on my left arm, which would not stop bleeding. Nabi ﷺ told my mother, ‘Put a bandage over it.’ My mother took out a bandage from her belt and after bandaging my wound, said, ‘Now, son! Go and fight again with the kuffaar.’ Nabi ﷺ was watching us. He said, ‘O, Ummu Ammarah, who can have courage like yours?’” At that time, Nabi ﷺ made dua again and again for Hadhrat Ummu Ammarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and her family and He mentioned some words of praise as well. Hadhrat Ummu Ammarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا said, “I was standing with Nabi ﷺ when one of the enemies passed by in front of me. Nabi ﷺ told me, ‘Ummu Ammarah! He is the man who wounded your son.’ I jumped at him and hit his leg. This caused him to fall down. We then went forward and finished him. Nabi ﷺ smiled and said, ‘Ummu Ammarah has taken revenge for her son,’ When Nabi ﷺ was making dua for us, I told him, ‘O, Nabi of Allah! Make dua so that I may join you in Jannah.’ He made this dua too. After this I did not worry over anything that came to me in this life.” As has already been said, she also joined many other battles with the same courage. After the death of Nabi ﷺ , she took part in the fierce battle of Yamaamah, which was fought with the rebels. She lost one of her arms and received eleven other wounds in this battle. She returned to Madinah in this injured condition.
Note: These are the achievements of one woman, who was forty-three in Uhud and fifty-two in Yamaamah. Her great courage in these battles at that age was really amazing.
Hadhrat Ummu Hakeem رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the wife of Ikramah bin Abi Jahl. She took part in Uhud on the enemy side. She accepted Islam when Makkah Mukarramah was conquered. She loved her husband very much. He would not become Muslim because of his father. After the conquest of Makkah Mukarramah, her husband escaped to Yemen. She got pardon for him from Nabi ﷺ and went to Yemen and after great difficulty, she managed to convinced her husband to return home. She told him: “You can be safe from the sword of Muhammad ﷺ only when you put yourself in his lap.”(i.e. if you accept Islam). She returned with him to Madinah Munawwarah, where Ikramah accepted Islam and the couple began to live together happily. They both took part in the battle against the romans during the rule of Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Ikramah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was killed in this battle. She then married another Mujaahid, Hadhrat Khaalid bin Sa’eed رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ who wanted to meet her at a place called Marjus-Suffar. She said: “We have the enemy on all sides. We shall meet after they are conquered.” He said: “I am sure I shall not survive this battle.” They then shared the bed for the first time in a tent at that place. The next day, Hadhrat Khaalid bin Sa’eed رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was arranging for the waleemah when the enemy attacked with full force and he was martyred in the battle. Hadhrat Ummu Hakeem رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا packed up her tent and other luggage and thereafter fought the enemy with a tent-peg in her hand, till she had killed seven of them.
Note: In times of war, not to speak of a woman, no man would like to get married under such conditions. Look at her marriage in the battle-field and her fight with the enemy. Instead of crying about the loss of her husband, on the day of his death she rushes onto the battlefield and kills seven of the enemy soldiers single-handed. Is this not enough to show the wonderful strength of Imaan in the women of that time?
Hadhrat Sumayya رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is the mother of Hadhrat Ammaar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ whose story we already read in chapter 5. Just like her son Hadhrat Ammaar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and her husband Yaasir ٢ ٠٢ , she experienced many hardships for the cause of Islam. She was made to lie on hot stones in the hot sun. She was also made to wear steel armour and stand in the hot sun which heated the armour, causing her intense difficulty. When Nabi ﷺ passed by, he would encourage her to be patient and promised her Jannah. One day, Hadhrat Sumayya رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was standing when Abu Jahl passed that way. He spoke rudely and insulted her most severely and then stabbed her through her private part with his spear. She died because of the wound. She was the first to be martyred (give her life) for the sake of Islam.
Note: The patience, perseverance and sacrifice of these ladies are really enviable. For a person blessed with true Islam, no hardship is too difficult to bear. We hear about hundreds of people dying for one cause or the other. It is only dying for the cause of Allah Ta’ala that brings everlasting happiness and comfort in the life hereafter. People losing their lives for the things of the world really lose twice, i.e. in this world, as well as in the hereafter.
Hadhrat Asma bint Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا is the daughter of Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , mother of Abdulla bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and the step-sister of Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . She is one of the famous women of her time. She was the eighteenth person to accept Islam. She was twenty-seven years old at the time of Hijrat. After emigrating from Makkah Mukarramah, when Nabi ﷺ and Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ reached Madinah Munawwarah safely, they sent Hadhrat Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and some other Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ to bring their families from Makkah Mukarramah. Hadhrat Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا came to Madinah Munawwarah with Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ family. When she reached Quba, she gave birth to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the first Muslim baby born since Hijrat. In those days poverty and constraints were common but at the same time courage, valour and bravery were also unmatched. In Bukhaari Shareef Hadhrat Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا narrates herself the manner in which she lived. She says, “When I was married to Hadhrat Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , he had no money, property or any servant. He had only one camel for carrying water and one horse. I would bring fodder (food) for the animals and date seeds to feed them instead of grass. I also brought water from the well, fixed the bucket myself and did all my housework myself. Looking after the horse was the most difficult of all the jobs. Because I was not good at baking, after kneading (preparing) the flour, I would take it to the Ansaar women in my neighbourhood, who would bake bread for me. They were sincere and kind. When we arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, Nabi ﷺ chose a piece of land for Hadhrat Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ two miles away from the town. I would bring date seeds from there on my head. One day when I was coming along that way with a bundle on my head, I met Nabi ﷺ with a group of Ansaar on the road. He stopped his camel, made it sit and showed me a sign that he wished to give me a lift. I felt shy of going with men and I also remembered that Hadhrat Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ (my husband) was very sensitive in this matter. Nabi ﷺ understood my hesitation and left me alone. When I reached home, I told the story to Hadhrat Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and told him that, because of my own shyness and his feelings, I did not accept the offer of Nabi ﷺ . He said, ‘By Allah I am more worried about your carrying the load over such a long distance, but I cannot help it.’ When Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ went out in the path of Allah Ta’ala, all other jobs had to be done mostly by their women. Sometime later, Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ sent us a servant that Nabi ﷺ had given him. So I did not have to look after the horse, which had been really very hard for me.”
Note: It was, and still is, the custom in Arabia to grind the date pit, soak it in water and feed it to the animals.
When Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ made hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah with Nabi ﷺ , he took all his money with him, thinking that Nabi ﷺ might need it. It was about 6000 Dirhams. After he had left, his father Abu Quhaafah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who was blind and who had not yet accepted Islam, came to comfort his granddaughters.
Hadhrat Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “Our grandfather came to us and said with grief, ‘Your father has caused distress to you with his Hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah, and has put you through a lot of hardship by taking all his money with him.’ I said, ‘No grandfather, do not worry. He has left a lot of money for us.’ I collected some small stones and put them in the place where my father used to keep his money; I covered it with a cloth. I then took my grandfather to that place and placed his hand over the cloth. He thought that it was really full of Dirhams. He said: ‘It is good that he has left something for you to live on.’ By Allah, my father had not left a single Dirham for us. I played this trick just to put my grandfather at ease.”
Note: Look at this brave Muslim girl. Actually speaking, the girls needed more comfort than their grandfather. Normally, they should have complained of their condition to their grandfather because he was their only support. Their father had left, they had no money and the people of Makkah were unfriendly towards them, and they did not have any other relatives in Makkah Mukarramah to help them. Allah Ta’ala had given such understanding to the Muslim men and women of those days that everything they did was really wonderful and worthy of admiration. Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a rich businessman in the beginning, but he always spent generously in the path of Allah Ta’ala. At the time of Tabuk, he gave all that he owned (this we have already seen in chapter six). Nabi ﷺ once said: “Nobody’s wealth has benefited me so much as that of Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . I have paid back everybody for the good done to me, except Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . He shall be rewarded by Allah Ta’ala Himself.”
Hadhrat Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا loved to spend in the path of Allah Ta’ala. In the beginning, she used to spend calculating by measuring and weighing. Once Nabi ﷺ told her, “O Asma, don’t hoard and don’t give in the path of Allah Ta’ala by calculating, but rather spend freely.” After this, she started spending most generously.
Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا would advise her daughters and house-maids: “Don't wait for any extra requirements before spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala. Our needs go on increasing and the chances of having something extra will become more and more difficult and the time for spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala will never come (as one’s needs naturally keep on increasing). Remember that you will not lose by spending in charity.”
Note: Although these people were poor and lived a simple life, yet they were free in spending and generous at heart. The Muslims today complain of their poverty, but there will be hardly any group of people among them who are so poor and needy as the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ used to be. We have already read how they had to go without food for a few days at a time and how some of them had to keep stones tied to their stomach to ease their hunger.
Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was born five years after Nabi’s ﷺ marriage to Hadhrat Khadija رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , ten years before nubuwwat. At that time Nabi ﷺ was thirty years old. She grew up and thereafter accepted Islam. She was married to her cousin Abul Aas bin Rabi. She could not join Nabi ﷺ during the Hijrat (migration). Her husband fought in Badr for the Quraish and was taken prisoner by the Muslims. When the Quraish were paying ransom (fines) for their prisoners, Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا also gave what she had for the ransom of her husband. Included in this was the necklace she had received as a gift from her mother Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . When Nabi ﷺ saw the necklace, the memories of Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا overcame him and tears filled his eyes. After consulting with the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , it was decided that the necklace be returned to Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and her husband will be freed without ransom on the condition that he would send Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا to Madinah Munawwarah when he returned to Makkah Mukarramah.
Two men were sent to wait outside Makkah Mukarramah and bring Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا safely to Madinah Munawwarah. Her husband asked his brother Kinaanah to take Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا outside Makkah Mukarramah and hand her over to the Muslims. As Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and Kinaanah were moving out of the town on camel-back, the Quraish became infuriated. They sent a group to stop them in which was Her cousin Habbaar bin Aswad. He flung a spear at her, which wounded her and caused her to fall from the camel. At that time she was expecting and suffered a miscarriage. Kinaanah started shooting arrows towards the trouble-makers. Abu Sufyaan told Kinaanah: “We cannot allow the daughter of Muhammad ﷺ leaving Makkah Mukarramah so openly. Let her go back and we will send her secretly after a few days.” Kinaanah agreed. Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was sent off after a few days. She suffered from this wound for a long time, till she passed away because of the wound in 8 A.H. At the time of her death Nabi ﷺ said: “She was my best daughter, for she has suffered because of me.” Nabi ﷺ buried her with his own hands. As he went into the grave to lay her down, he looked very sad but when he came out of the grave, he was quite calm. After being asked by the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , he said: “Because of the weakness of Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , I made dua to Allah Ta’ala to save her from the punishment of the grave, and this dua has been answered by Allah Ta’ala.”
Note: Just imagine, even the daughter of Nabi ﷺ who sacrificed her life for Islam needed the dua of Nabi ﷺ for being saved from the problems in the grave. What about us who are drowned in sins? It is necessary that we should always make dua to be saved from the punishment of the grave. Nabi ﷺ would often seek protection in Allah Ta’ala from the horrors of the grave. This was to teach his followers.
Translation: (O, Allah! protect us from the horrors of the grave by your special Favour, Grace and Bounty). Aameen
Rubayyi-bint-Mu’awwiz رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was a women from the Ansaar, who had taken part in many battles by the side of Nabi ﷺ . She nursed the wounded and carried the dead bodies during the battle. She had accepted Islam before Nabi ﷺ had come to Madinah Munawwarah. She was married after Nabi ﷺ made Hijrat. He visited her on the day of her marriage. He heard some girls singing a heroic poem about the Battle of Badr at her place. One of them sang a verse, which meant:
Translation: “We have amongst us a Nabi, who knows what is going to happen tomorrow.” (ie. In the future)
Translation: He stopped her from saying such things, because nobody except Allah Ta’ala knows what is going to happen in the future. It was Hadhrat Rubayyi’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا father, Hadhrat Mu’awwiz رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who was one of those who killed Abu Jahl in Badr. Abu Jahl, as we know, was one of the big chiefs of the Quraish and the worst enemy of Islam. There was a woman named Asma who used to sell perfumes to the ladies. She once came to Hadhrat Rubayyi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا to sell perfume. In the discussion Hadhrat Rubayyi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that she was the daughter of Hadhrat Mu’awwiz رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Asma remarked: “So you are the daughter of the one who killed his chief.” Hadhrat Rubayyi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا could not bear a terrible person like Abu Jahl to be mentioned as the chief of her father. She therefore, replied angrily, “No. I am the daughter of the one who killed his slave.” Asma did not like Abu Jahl being called a slave and said with anger: “It is haraam for me to sell perfume to you.” Hadhrat Rubayyi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا replied in a similar way, “It is haraam for me to buy perfume from you. I have never found a stench in any perfume except yours.” Hadhrat Rubayyi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “I said the last words just to annoy her.”
Note: Look at her feelings for Islam. She could not bear an enemy of Islam being mentioned as a chief. We hear from the lips of Muslims very flowery and wonderful descriptions being used for the open enemies of Islam. When they are corrected, they call it narrow mindedness. Nabi ﷺ says: “Don't call a Munaafiq a chief. You displease Allah Ta’ala when you take him as a chief.”
THE LIVES OF THE UMMAHAAT-UL-MU’MINEEN (MOTHERS OF THE BELIEVERS WHO WERE THE PURE WIVES OF NABI
ﷺ )
Every Muslim likes to know about the family of Nabi ﷺ . Therefore, a short history of their lives is given in the following pages. The Muhadditheen and historians all agree that eleven ladies had the honour of being the wives of Nabi ﷺ .
(1) HADHRAT KHADIJAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the first wife of Nabi ﷺ . At the time of her marriage, she was forty years old and Nabi ﷺ was twenty-five. She gave birth to all his children, except his son Ibrahim. She was first supposed to be married to Waraqah bin Naufal, but this marriage could not take place. Her first husband was Ateeq bin Aa’iz. She had a daughter from him, whose name was Hind. Hind grew up, accepted Islam and had many children. When Ateeq passed away Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا married Abu Haalah and had two children from him, by the names of Hind and Haalah. Hind lived right up to the time of Hadhrat Ali’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ Khilaafat. When Abu Haalah passed away, Nabi ﷺ married Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا as his first wife. She passed away in Ramadhaan in the 10th year of Islam at the age of sixty-five. He loved her very much and did not marry any other woman during her lifetime. Even before Islam, she was popularly known as Taahirah (clean and pure). Her children from her other husbands are, therefore, known as Banu Taahirah. Her goodness and high position have been mentioned in many Ahaadith.
Nabi ﷺ placed her in the grave with his own hands. Till then, there was no Janaazah Salaah.
(2) HADHRAT SAUDA رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Sauda bint Zam’ah bin Qais رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was first married to her cousin Hadhrat Sukraan bin ‘Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . The couple accepted Islam and emigrated to Abyssinia. Hadhrat Sukraan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ passed away in Abyssinia. Hadhrat Sauda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , now a widow, returned to Makkah Mukarramah. Nabi ﷺ , after the death of Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا (in Shawwal of the same year), married Hadhrat Sauda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا .
We know the devotion of Nabi ﷺ in his salaah. Hadhrat Sauda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ once stood behind him in Tahajjud. The next day she told him: “O, Nabi of Allah! Last night you took so long in your Ruku that I feared bleeding from my nose.” (As she was heavy, the strain might have been too much for her). Nabi ﷺ once intended to divorce her. Meanwhile Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا had also been married to Nabi ﷺ . Hadhrat Sauda ﷺ said: “O, Nabi of Allah! I am ready to give up my turn (with you) in favour of Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , but I do not like to be divorced by you. I wish to be one of your wives in Jannah.” Nabi ﷺ agreed to this suggestion.
She passed away in about 55 A.H. towards the end of the Khilaafat of Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . There was another Quraishi woman of the same name. She was also a widow who had about six children. Nabi ﷺ offered to marry her, but she said: “O, Nabi of Allah! You are dearer to me than any other person in this world. I do not like my children to be of any trouble to you.” He appreciated this and decided not to marry her.
(3) HADHRAT AA’ISHAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was married to Nabi ﷺ in Shawwaal in the tenth year of Nubuwwat. She was born in the fourth year of Nubuwwat and was married when she was six, but was actually sent by her parents to live with Nabi ﷺ , after his hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah, when she was nine. She was eighteen at the time of the death of Nabi ﷺ . She passed away on the night of Tuesday, the 17th Ramadhaan, 57 A.H., at the age of sixty-six. She wished at the time of her death that she might be buried along with the other Ummahaatul-Mu’mineen, in the public graveyard, though she could be buried by the side of Nabi’s ﷺ grave, which was in her house. She was the only wife of Nabi ﷺ who had not been married before. All the other wives had either been widowed or divorced, some quite a few times, before they became Ummahaatul-Mu’mineen. To be married in Shawwaal was considered evil among the Arab women. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I was married and sent to live with Nabi ﷺ in Shawwaal. Which of Nabi’s ﷺ wives has been more blessed with his love and Allah Ta’ala’s and other favours than me?” When Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا passed away, Hadhrat Khaulah bint Hakeem رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا came to Nabi ﷺ and said: “O, Nabi of Allah! Don't you like to marry again?” Nabi ﷺ asked: “Whom can I marry?” Khaulah replied: “I know a virgin (a woman who was not married before) and a widow.” Nabi ﷺ said: “Name them.” Khaulah replied: “The virgin is Aa’ishah, the daughter of your best friend Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and the widow is Sauda bint Zam’ah.” Nabi ﷺ said: “All right! You may make the proposal.” Hadhrat Khaulah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ then went to Hadhrat Aa’ishah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ mother Ummu-Rooman رض اللّهُ عَنْه and told her: “I have come with something of goodness and barakah for your family.” Ummu Rooman 
asked: “What is that?” Hadhrat Khaulah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا replied: “Nabi ﷺ has sent me to seek Hadhrat Aa’ishah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا hand in marriage for him.” Ummu Rooman رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا said: “But Aa’ishah is like his niece. How can she be married to him? Let me talk to her father.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was not at home at that time. When he came, the proposal was mentioned to him, and he gave the same reply. Hadhrat Khaulah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ returned to Nabi ﷺ and told him of their difficulty. Nabi ﷺ said: “Abu Bakr is my best friend and brother-in-Islam, but this does not stop me from marrying his daughter.” Hadhrat Khaulah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا went back and informed Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ of what Nabi ﷺ had said. Abu Bakr ﷺ was extremely happy. He called Nabi ﷺ to his home and performed Hadhrat Aa’ishah's رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ nikaah with him. A few months later, when Nabi ﷺ had emigrated to Madinah Munawwarah, Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ told Nabi ﷺ : “Why don't you have your wife Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا living with you?” He replied: “I have to make some preparations, etc., before I do that.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ gave him some money, with which the necessary things were arranged. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا then started living with Nabi ﷺ from Shawwaal of 1 or 2 A.H. She shared the bed with Nabi ﷺ for the first time in Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ house. These are the three marriages of Nabi ﷺ before Hijrah. All the remaining wives were married to him in Madinah Munawwarah.
(4) HADHRAT HAFSAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Hafsah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , the daughter of Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , was born in Makkah Mukarramah five years before Nubuwwat. She was first married to Hadhrat Khunais bin Huzayfah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who was one of the very early Muslims. He first emigrated to Abyssinia and then to Madinah Munawwarah. He took part in the Battle of Badr, and was seriously wounded in Badr (or in Uhud) and passed away because of the wound in the year 1 or 2 A.H. Hadhrat Hafsah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا had also moved to Madinah Munawwarah with her husband. When her husband passed away, Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ went to Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and said: “I want to give Hafsah in marriage to you.”Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ kept quiet and said nothing. Meanwhile Ruqayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , the daughter of Nabi ﷺ and the wife of Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ passed away. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ went to Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and offered Hadhrat Hafsah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا hand to him. He refused by saying, “I don’t have any intention to marry at the moment.” Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ complained of this to Nabi ﷺ . Nabi ﷺ said: “Can I tell you of a husband for Hafsah better than ‘Usmaan, and of a wife for ‘Usmaan better than Hafsah.” He then took Hadhrat Hafsah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا as his next wife, and gave his own daughter Hadhrat Ummu Kulsum رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا in marriage to Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ later told Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ : “When you offered Hafsah’s hand to me and I kept quiet, this may have displeased you. However as Nabi ﷺ had told me that he wanted to marry her. I could not accept your offer or tell Nabi’s ﷺ secret to you. I, therefore, kept quiet. If Nabi ﷺ had changed his mind, I would have gladly married her.” Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “Abu Bakr’s silence over the offer was in fact more painful to me than Usmaan’s refusal.” Hadhrat Hafsah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was a very pious woman who busied herself in Salaah. She would often fast during the day and spend the night in Ibaadat. Once Nabi ﷺ was unhappy with Hafsah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا for some reason and said the first divorce to her. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was very distressed over this, as he naturally would have been. Jibraeel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ came to Nabi ﷺ and said: “Allah Ta’ala wants you to take Hafsah back, as she is often fasting and spending her nights in Salaah, and also Allah wants it for Hadhrat Umar’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ sake.”Nabi ﷺ therefore took her back. She passed away in Jumadil Oola, 45 A.H., at the age of sixty-three.
(5) HADHRAT ZAINAB BINT KHUZAIMAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the next lady to be married to Nabi ﷺ . There are different reports about her earlier husbands.
According to one report, she was first married to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Jahsh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ who was killed in Uhud (as we have already seen in chapter seven). According to another report, she was first married to Tufail ibnul Haaris and when he divorced her she married his brother Ubaidah ibnul Haaris, who was killed in Badr. Nabi ﷺ married her in Ramadhaan, 3 A.H. She lived with Nabi ﷺ for eight months only, as she passed away in Rabiul-Aakhir, 4 A.H. Hadhrat Zainab and Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا are the only two wives of Nabi ﷺ who passed away during his lifetime. All the other wives lived after him and passed away later. Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا spent very generously on the poor, and was known as ‘Ummul Masaakeen’ (mother of the poor) even before Islam. After her death, Nabi ﷺ married Hadhrat Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا .
(6) HADHRAT UMMU SALAMAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the daughter of Hadhrat Abu Umayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . She was first married to her cousin Abdullah bin Abdul As’ad known as Abu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . The couple accepted Islam in the beginning and because of being troubled by the Quraish, they emigrated to Abyssinia. A son, who was born to them in Abyssinia, was named Salamah. After returning from Abyssinia, the family emigrated to Madinah Munawwarah. Hadhrat Ummu Salamah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا story about her migration to Madinah Munawwarah has already been given in the early part of this chapter. After reaching Madinah Munawwarah, Hadhrat Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had another son ‘Umar and two daughters, Durrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . Hadhrat Abu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the eleventh man to accept Islam. He took path in both the battles of Badr as well as in Uhud. He got a very bad wound in Uhud, which did not heal for a long time. He was sent by Nabi ﷺ on an experdition in Safar, 4 A.H. When he returned, the old wound started giving trouble and he passed away because of it on 8th Jumadil-Aakhir, 4 A.H. Hadhrat Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was expecting a child at that time. Zainab was born to her after the death of her husband. After she had completed her Iddat (the waiting period), Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ proposed to marry her, but she refused. Later, Nabi ﷺ offered to marry her. She said: “O, Nabi of Allah! I have quite a few children with me and I am very sensitive by nature. For getting remarried, I don’t have any guardian here in Madinah Munawwarah.” Nabi ﷺ said: “Allah Ta’ala will look after your children and your sensitiveness will disappear shortly. None of your family will dislike the marriage.” She then asked her eldest son Hadhrat Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ to be her guardian and give her in marriage to Nabi ﷺ . She was married in the end of Shawwal, 4 A.H. She says: “I had heard from Nabi ﷺ that a person who is struck by a calamity should read this dua,
Translation: “O Allah! From You do I hope for reward for this difficulty of mine. So reward me in it and give me something better in return.”
Then Allah Ta’ala would accept his dua. I used to read this dua after the death of Hadhrat Abu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , but I could not imagine a husband better than him, until Allah Ta’ala fixed my marriage to Nabi ﷺ .”
Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “Ummu Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was famous for her beauty. I once made a plan to see her. I found her much more beautiful than I had heard. I mentioned this to Hafsah who said. “In my opinion, she is not as beautiful as people say.” She passed away in 59 A.H. or 62 A.H. and was the last of the wives of Nabi ﷺ to pass away. She was eighty-four at the time of her death. She was, therefore, born nine years before Nubuwwat. Nabi ﷺ married her after the death of Hadhrat Zainab bint Khuzaimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . She, therefore, lived in Hadhrat Zainab’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا house. She found a hand-mill, a kettle and some barley in an earthen jar, lying in the house. She ground some barley and, after adding some fat, cooked a meal, which she served to Nabi ﷺ on the very first day of her marriage with him.
Translation: (7) HADHRAT ZAINAB BINT JAHSH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
After her Nabi ﷺ married Hadhrat Zainab bint Jahsh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . Hadhrat Zainab bint Jahsh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the cousin of Nabi ﷺ . She was first given in marriage by Nabi ﷺ to his adopted son Hadhrat Zaid bin Haarisah عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ . When Hadhrat Zaid عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ divorced her, she was married to Nabi ﷺ by the command of Allah Ta’ala, as mentioned in Surah Al-Ahzaab. This took place in 5 A.H., when she was thirty-five years old. She was, therefore, born seventeen years before Nubuwwat. She was always proud of the fact that, while all the other wives were given in marriage to Nabi ﷺ by their guardians, it was Allah Ta’ala Himself Who gave her in marriage to Nabi ﷺ . When Hadhrat Zaid ﷺ divorced her and she had completed her Iddat, Nabi ﷺ sent her his proposal.
She said: “I cannot give an answer until I have asked for advice from my Allah Ta’ala.” She performed Wudhu, read two rakaat of Salaah and made dua to Allah, “O, Allah! Your Nabi ﷺ offers to marry me. If I am fit for the honour, then give me in his marriage.” Allah answered her dua by revealing the following verse to Nabi ﷺ :
Translation: “So when Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ performed the necessary formality (of divorce) from her, we gave her to you in marriage, so that there may be no sin for the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons, when they have divorced them. The order of Allah must be fulfilled.” (Surah A’hzaab – Aayah 37)
When she received the good news about this Aayah, she made sajdah before Allah Ta’ala thanking Him. Nabi ﷺ made the walimah in a grand style for this marriage. A goat was slaughtered. Mutton with bread was served to the guests. People came in groups, and were served till all of them were fed. Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was very generous in spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala. She earned by working with her hands and spent all her wealth in charity. It was about her that Nabi ﷺ had foretold: “My wife who has long hands will be the first to meet me after my death.” The wives understood this to mean the actual length of their arms and began to measure their arms with a stick. When measured, the arm of Hadhrat Sauda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the longest. But when Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا passed away first, they understood the true meaning of “long arms” (meaning the most generous). She fasted very often. She passed away in 20 A.H. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ performed the Janaazah Salaah. She was fifty at the time of her death.
(8) HADHRAT JUWAIRIYYAH BINTUL-HAARIS رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
After her Nabi ﷺ married Hadhrat Juwairiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Hadhrat Juwairiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the daughter of Haaris, the chief of Banu Mustaliq and was married to Musafi bin Safwaan. She was one of the many prisoners who were captured by the Muslims after the Battle of Muraisee’. She was given to Hadhrat Saabit bin Qais رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . He offered to free her for 9 Awqiyyah of gold. She came to Nabi ﷺ and said: “O, Nabi of Allah! I am the daughter of Haaris, who is the chief of the tribe. You know what difficulty has come to me. The ransom asked by Hadhrat Saabit رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is too much for me. I have come to ask your help.” Nabi ﷺ said, “I will show you something better”. Nabi ﷺ offered to pay her ransom, set her free, and offered to take her as his wife. She was very glad to accept this offer. She was married to Nabi ﷺ in 5 A.H. and as a result of this marriage, the prisoners of Banu Mustaliq (Juwairiyyah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ tribe) numbering about a hundred families, were all set free by the Muslims. They said, “The tribe which was honoured by Nabi’s ﷺ marriage should not remain as slaves.” All the marriages of the Nabi ﷺ were not because of self-interest but rather keeping the interest of Deen in front of him. Hadhrat Juwairiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was very beautiful and attractive. Three days before she became a prisoner in the battle, she had seen in a dream that the moon came out from Madinah Munawwarah and fell into her lap. She says: “When I was captured, I began to hope that my dream would come true.” She was twenty years old at the time of her marriage to Nabi ﷺ . She passed away in Rabi-ul-Awwal, 50 A.H., in Madinah Munawwarah at the age of sixty-five.
(9) HADHRAT UMMU HABIBAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
She was the daughter of Abu Sufyaan, and was first married to Ubaidullah bin Jahsh in Makkah Mukarramah. The couple accepted Islam, and then moved to Abyssinia because of the harassment of the Quraish. One night she saw her husband in a dream in the most ugly and horrible form. The next day she came to know that he had become a Christian. She, however, remained a Muslim and was, therefore, separated from him. She was now all alone in Abyssinia. Allah Ta’ala soon rewarded her for her loss. Nabi ﷺ sent her an offer of marriage through the King Negus, who sent a woman named Abrahah to her with the message. She was so happy with the good news that she gave the bracelets and other jewellery that she was wearing to the woman in delight. King Negus represented Nabi ﷺ in the Nikaah and gave her 400 Dinaars and many other gifts as dowry. He also gave a feast and Dinaars as gifts to all those who were present in the ceremony. Negus then sent her to Madinah Munawwarah with her dowry and other gifts such as perfume, etc. This marriage took place in 7 A.H. Her father was not a Muslim then. She most probably passed away in 44 A.H.
(10) HADHRAT SAFIYYAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
She was the daughter of Huyay, who was from the family of Hadhrat Haroon رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the brother of Hadhrat Moosa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ . She was first married to Salam bin Mishkam. She was then in the marriage of Kinaanah bin Abil Huqaiq at the time of the battle of Khaibar. Kinaanah was killed in the battle and she was captured by the Muslims. Hadhrat Dihyaa Kalbi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked for a maid, and Nabi ﷺ gave her to him. The other Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ came to Nabi ﷺ and said: “O, Nabi of Allah! Banu Nazir and Banu Quraizah (the Jewish tribes of Madinah Munawwarah) will feel very offended to see the daughter of a Jewish chief working as a maid. We, therefore, suggest that she may be taken as your wife.” Nabi ﷺ paid a fair amount of money to Hadhrat Dihya رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ as ransom, and told Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا : “You are now free; if you like, you can go back to your tribe or if you wish you can be my wife.” She said: “I wanted to be married to you while I was a Jew. How can I leave you now, when I am a Muslim?” This is because she once saw in her dream a piece of the moon falling into her lap. When she mentioned her dream to her husband Kinaanah, he slapped her face so hard that he left a mark on her eye. He said: “You wish to become the wife of the King of Madinah Munawwarah!” Her father also beat her when she told him her dream. Then she saw, in her dream, the sun lying on her chest. When she mentioned this to her husband, He said: “You seem to be wishing to become the Queen of Madinah.” She says: “I was seventeen years old when I was married to Nabi ﷺ .”
She came to live with Nabi ﷺ when he was returning from Khaibar and camping at the first stage of the return journey. The next morning he told the Sahaabah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنْ هُمْ : “Let everybody bring whatever he has to eat.” They brought their own dates, cheese, butter, etc. A long leather cloth was spread and all of them sat around it to share the food amongst them. This was the walimah for the marriage. She passed away in Ramadhaan, 50 A.H., when she was about sixty years old.
(11) HADHRAT MAIMOONAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Maimoonah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the daughter of Haarish bin Hazan. Her original name was Barrah, but she was later renamed Maimoonah by Nabi ﷺ . She was first married to Abu Rahm bin Abdul Uzza. According to some reports, she was married twice before she became Ummul Mu’mineen. She had been widowed when Nabi ﷺ married her at Sarif, a place on his way to Makkah Mukarramah for ‘Umrah in Zul Qa’dah 7 A.H. He had intended to start living with her in Makkah Mukarramah after performing ‘Umrah, but because the Quraish did not allow him to enter Makkah Mukarramah, he called her over to him in the same place on his return journey. Many years later in 51 A.H. she passed away and was buried exactly at the same place when she was eighty-one years old. This is a strange coincidence that at a certain place during one journey she is married, at the same place on the return journey she starts living with Nabi ﷺ , and at the very same place during another journey she passes away and is buried. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “Amongst Nabi's ﷺ wives, Maimoonah was the most pious and the most mindful of her family relatives.” Hadhrat Yazeed bin A’sam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “She was seen either busy in Salaah or in her housework. When she was free, she was often seen making Miswaak.” She was the last woman married by Nabi ﷺ . However, Some Muhadditheen have also mentioned one or two other marriages of Nabi ﷺ . But since there isn’t consensus on this, it hasn’t been mentioned. Of the eleven wives, two passed away in the lifetime of Nabi ﷺ (ie. Hadhrat Khadijah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and Hadhrat Zainub رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا ).
The remaining nine were alive at the demise of Nabi ﷺ .
Translation: Nabi ﷺ had three sons and four daughters. All the children were born from Hadhrat Khadija رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , except his son Ibrahim. Qaasim was his first son, born to him before Nubuwwat. He passed away when he was two. Abdullah, the second son, was born after Nubuwwat. He was also called Tayyab and Taahir. He also passed away in his childhood. At the time of his death, the Quraish were overjoyed and said: “Muhammad has no son, and will, therefore, have no one to continue with his family name after him. His name will also die with his death.” It was on this occasion that Surah Al-Kausar was revealed by Allah Ta’ala. It said:
Translation: “Verily We have granted you (O Rasulullah ﷺ ) abundant good. So (as a token of gratitude) perform Salaah for your Rabb and sacrifice (animals in His name). Certainly, it is your enemy who shall be unknown (without posterity).” (Surah Kauthar - Aayaat 1-3)
Even after more than 1400 years, today there are millions who are proud to be connected to Nabi ﷺ in love and devotion. Ibrahim, the third son and last child, was born in Madinah Munawwarah in 8 A.H. Nabi’s ﷺ slave woman Maariyah Qibtiyyah gave birth to him. Nabi ﷺ performed the Aqeeqah ceremony on the seventh day of his birth. Two lambs were slaughtered, the child’s head was shaved by Hadhrat Abu Hind Bayazi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , silver in weight equal to his hair was spent in charity and the hair was buried. Nabi ﷺ said: “I am naming my child after the name of my forefather Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ .” This son also passed away, on the 10th Rabi-ul-Awwal, 10 A.H., when he was only eighteen months old. Nabi ﷺ then said: “Allah Ta’ala has arranged a heavenly nurse to look after Ibrahim in the gardens of Jannah.”
Translation: (1) HADHRAT ZAINAB رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Translation: She was the eldest daughter of Nabi ﷺ and was born in the fifth year of his first marriage, when he was thirty years old. She accepted Islam and was married to her cousin Abul Aas bin Rabi. The story of her emigrating to Madinah Munawwarah and her getting wounded by the Quraish has already been given in the early part of this chapter. She suffered for a long time from that wound and passed away because of it in the beginning of 8 A.H. Her husband later accepted Islam and joined her in Madinah Munawwarah. She had a son Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , and a daughter Umaamah. Ali رضواللهُ عَن passed away during the lifetime of Nabi ﷺ . This same Ali رضِرالله عَنا was the person who sat with Nabi ﷺ on the camel’s back at the time of his victorious entry into Makkah Mukarramah. We often read in the Hadith about a little girl riding on the back of Nabi ﷺ as he went down into sajda in his Salaah. This was Umaamah, Zainab’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا daughter. She lived for a long time after the death of Nabi ﷺ . Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ married her on the death of Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا his first wife. It is said that Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , at the time of her death had, said that Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ should marry her. She had no children from Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . After Hadhrat Ali’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ death she was married to Hadhrat Mughirah bin Naufal رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , from whom she had one son named Yahya. She passed away in 50 A.H.
Translation: (2) HADHRAT RUQAYYAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
She was born three years after the birth of Hadhrat Zainab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , when Nabi ﷺ was thirty-three years old. In her childhood, she was married to Utbah, the son of Abu Lahab, Nabi’s ﷺ uncle, and had not yet started living with him when Surah Al-Lahab was revealed. Abu Lahab called his sons Utbah and Utaibah (to whom Ummu Kulsum, another daughter of Nabi ﷺ was married), and told them: “Unless both of you divorce the daughters of Muhammad, I am not going to see your faces.” They divorced their wives. Later, when Makkah Mukarramah was conquered by the Muslims, Utbah accepted Islam. After this divorce, Hadhrat Ruqayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was married to Hadhrat ‘Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . The couple made hijrat to Abyssinia twice, as we have already seen in chapter one. Nabi ﷺ had announced to the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ that he was waiting to receive Allah ta’ala’s command for making hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ started making hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah even before Nabi’s ﷺ Hijrat. Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Hadhrat Ruqayyah ﷺ had also made hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah before Nabi ﷺ . At the time of Badr, Hadhrat Ruqayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was ill and she later passed away of this illness. Hadhrat ‘Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was, therefore, asked by Nabi ﷺ to stay in Madinah Munawwarah and look after her. The news about the victory in Badr was received in Madinah Munawwarah when the people were returning from Hadhrat Ruqayyah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا funeral. Thus, Nabi ﷺ was not able to be present at her burial. A son was born to Hadhrat Ruqayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا in Abyssinia. He was named Abdullah and lived longer than his mother but passed away in 4 A.H. when he was six years old. Some reports indicate that he passed away one year before his mother.
(3) HADHRAT UMME KULSUM رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
She is the third daughter of Nabi ﷺ . She was married to Utaibah, the son of Abu Lahab, but had not yet started living with him when Utaibah divorced her after the revelation of Surah Al-Lahab, as has already been mentioned. After divorcing her, Utaibah came to Nabi ﷺ and said the rudest words to him.
Nabi ﷺ cursed him by making this dua: “O, Allah! Order one of your dogs to punish him.” Abu Taalib, who had also not accepted Islam, was terrified and told Utaibah; “You have no way out from this curse.”
Once, Utaibah and Abu Lahab went with a group of people to Syria. Abu Lahab, in spite of his kufr and hatred, told the people: “I am afraid of Muhammad’s (ﷺ ) curse. Everybody should take care of my son.” They happened to camp at a place where there were many lions. The people had piled up all their luggage and Utaibah was made to sleep on top of the pile, while the rest of the people slept around the pile. A lion came at night and smelt all the people sleeping around the pile. The lion then jumped over the people and reached Utaibah. He screamed, but the lion had bitten off his head from his body. It is extremely necessary that we avoid offending people who are dear to Allah Ta’ala. Nabi ﷺ has reported Allah Ta’ala as saying:
Translation: “He who insults my friends I announce war with him.”
After the death of Hadhrat Ruqayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , Hadhrat Ummu Kulsum ضَاللّهُ عَنه was married to Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ in Rabi-ul-Awwal, 3 A.H.
Nabi ﷺ said: “I have given Ummu Kulsum in marriage to Usmaan by Allah’s command.” She passed away in Sha’ban, 9 A.H. without having any children. After her death, Nabi ﷺ is reported to have said: “Even if I had one hundred daughters, I would have given all of them in marriage to ‘Usmaan رضِى اللّهُ عَنه one after the other, if each one had passed away.”
(4) HADHRAT FAATIMAH رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا
Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , the fourth and the youngest daughter of Nabi 
will be the leader of the women in Jannah. She was born in the first year of Nubuwwat, when he was forty-one years old. It is said that the name Faatimah (meaning safe from fire) was revealed by Allah Ta’ala. She was married to Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ in 2 A.H. She began to live with him seven and a half months later. She was about fifteen and Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was twenty-one at the time of their marriage. Of all the daughters, she was the most beloved of Nabi ﷺ . Whenever he went out on a journey, she was the last one to meet him and when he returned home, she was the first one to meet him. When Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was thinking of marrying Abu Jahal’s daughter, she was very upset and mentioned her grief to Nabi ﷺ . Nabi ﷺ told Hadhrat Ali ﷺ : “Faatimah is a part of my body. Whoever upsets her upsets me.” Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ gave up the idea of the second marriage during her lifetime. After her death, he married her niece Umaamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , as we have already read in the previous pages. It was about six months after the death of Nabi ﷺ that Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا fell ill. One day, she told her maid: “I want to take a bath. Arrange some water for me.” She took a bath and changed her clothes. She then asked for her bed to be placed in the middle of the room. She laid herself down on the bedding, with her face towards the Qiblah, with her right hand under her right cheek, she said: “I am now going to pass away.” The next moment she had passed away. Nabi’s ﷺ family continued and shall, Insha Allah, continue through her children. She had three sons and three daughters. Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Hadhrat Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ were born in the second and the third year respectively, after marriage. Muhassan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the third son, was born in 4 A.H., but passed away in childhood. Ruqayyah, her first daughter, also passed away in childhood and has not been mentioned much in history. Her second daughter Ummu Kulsum, who was first married to Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , had one son, Zaid and one daughter Ruqayyah. After Hadhrat ‘Umar’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا death, Hadhrat Ummu Kulsum رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was married to Aun bin Ja’far رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , but had no children from him. After his death, his brother Muhammad bin Ja’far ﷺ married her. A daughter was born to them, who passed away in childhood. Even her husband Muhammad ﷺ passed away in her lifetime and she was then married to the third brother, Abdullah bin Ja’far رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , from whom she had no child. She passed away as Abdullah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ wife. Her son Zaid also passed away the same day and they both were carried for burial at the same time. Abdullah, ‘Aun and Muhammad ﷺ have already been mentioned as sons of Ja’far ضم اللهُ عن and nephews of Ali 
in chapter six. Zainab, Hadhrat Fatimah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا third daughter, was married to Abdullah bin Ja’far رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and had two sons Abdullah and Aun from him. After her death, he married her sister Hadhrat UmmuKulsum رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had many other children from his wives after Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . It is stated that he had as many as thirty-two children, sixteen sons and sixteen daughters. Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had fifteen sons and eight daughters, while Hadhrat Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the father of six sons and three daughters.