النص المفهرس

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The Life of Muhammad %
Rasūlullah ¿ was extremely grief-stricken by the death of
Khadījah radiyallāhu 'anhā. Khaulāh bint Hakīm radiyallāhu
'anhā came to him one day and said to him: "O Messenger of
Allāh! I see you grief-stricken by the absence of Khadijah." He
replied: "Yes, she was the one who took care of all the children
and saw to the running of the house." Khaulah radiyallahu
'anhā asked: "Should I not send a proposal on your behalf?"
Rasūlullah % replied: "It is the appropriate thing to do. And
women are more suited for such a task. Where do you intend
sending a proposal?" Khaulah radiyallāhu 'anhā replied: "If
you desire a virgin wife, then you could marry the daughter of
the most beloved person to you, 'A'ishah, the daughter of Abū
Bakr. And if you desire a widow, Saudah bint Zam'ah is
available. She brought īman in you and follows you."
Rasūlullah % said: "Send a proposal to both places." Khaulah
radiyallāhu 'anhā first went to Saudah and said to her:
"Rasūlullah % sent me with his proposal." She replied: "I have
no reason to say no, but you should speak to my father. Greet
him in the jāhilī way." Khaulah radiyallāhu 'anhā says: "I
went to him and greeted him by saying: 'Good morning'. He
asked: 'Who is this?' I replied: 'I am Khaulah.' He welcomed
me and asked: 'What is the reason for your visit?' She replied:
'I have come to you with the proposal of Muhammad ibn
'Abdillah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib for your daughter.' On hearing
this, he said: 'Without doubt he is a noble and suitable person.
But I do not know what Saudah has to say about this.' I said:
'She is also ready.' Rasulullah thereafter went and the
marriage was solemnized."
When 'Abdullah ibn Zam'ah, the brother of Saudah
radiyallāhu 'anhā heard about this marriage, he placed dust on
his head [to display his disapproval]. Later when he embraced
Islam, he regretted this action of his. Whenever he thought
about this, he would say: "I was extremely immature on that

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day when I placed dust on my head on hearing my sister's
marriage to Rasūlullah ."]
Since the marriage of Saudah radiyallahu 'anha and 'A'ishah
radiyallāhu 'anha took place at almost the same time, the
historians differ as to which marriage took place first. The
correct and preferred opinion is that Saudah's radiyallāhu
'anhā marriage took place first. The dowry was fixed at 400
dirhams.2
On one occasion, Rasūlullah % intended divorcing Saudah
radiyallāhu 'anhā. She said to Rasūlullah : "O Rasūlullah!
Keep me in your marriage. It is my desire that I be raised
among your wives on the day of resurrection. Since I am gone
old, I will give my turn to 'A'ishah." Rasūlullah % accepted
this. It is learnt from some Traditions that he had already
divorced her and revoked the divorce later on. Allah knows
best.3
Saudah radiyallāhu 'anhā was tall and quite heavily built. She
had a humorous nature and used to make Rasūlullah % laugh at
times. She passed away in Dhul Hijjah 23 A.H. towards the end
of the caliphate of 'Umar
4
.
Others are of the opinion that she passed away in 54 A.H.
Wāqidī rahimahullāh considers this to be authentic. Allah
knows best.5
1 This Hadîth is narrated with a good chain by Imam Ahmad rahimahullah.
Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 227.
2 Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 227.
3 Al-Işābah, vol. 4, p. 437.
4 Narrated by Imām Bukhārî rahimahullāh in his Tārîkh through an
authentic chain.
5 Al-Işābah, vol. 2, p. 339.

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The Life of Muhammad #
Umm al-Mu'minīn 'Ā'ishah Siddīgah radiyallahu 'anhā
'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha is the daughter of Abu Bakr 4%. Her
mother's name was Zaynab with the title of Umm Rūman.
'Ā'ishah radiyallahu 'anha did not have any children of her
own. However, she was given the title of Umm 'Abdillah due
to her nephew, 'Abdullah ibn Zubayr. Rasūlullah % married her
after or with Saudah radiyallahu 'anhā in Shawwal 10 A.H.
Khawlah bint Hakīm radiyallahu 'anha conveyed the proposal
on behalf of Rasulullah . Abu Bakr said: "Mut im ibn
'Adīyy had sent a proposal for his son, Jubayr, which I have
already accepted." And Abu Bakr 4% never ever went back on
his promise. On saying this, he immediately went to the house
of Mut'im and asked him: "What have you decided about the
marriage?" Mut'im's wife was also present. He therefore
addressed her asking: "What is your opinion in this regard?"
She addressed Abu Bakr > saying: "If my son were to marry
your daughter, I have this strong feeling that he will abandon
his religion, give up the religion of his forefathers and embrace
your religion." Abu Bakr 4% turned to Mut'im and asked him:
"What do you have to say?" He replied: "You have already
heard what my wife has to say." The tone in which Mut'im and
his wife spoke to him was a clear indication to him that he no
longer had to fulfil his promise. He returned to his house and
informed Khaulah radiyallāhu 'anhā saying: "I accept
Rasūlullah's # proposal. He may come whenever he pleases."
Rasūlullah { went over, the marriage was solemnized and the
dowry was set at 400 dirhams.
The marriage took place three years before the emigration to
Madinah in the month of Shawwal in the 10th year of prophet-
hood. 'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anhā was six years old at that time.
The marriage was consummated seven or eight months after the
emigration, also in the month of Shawwal. She was nine years
and a few months old at that time. She remained in the

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marriage of Rasūlullah for nine years. She was 18 years old
when Rasulullah passed away. She remained alive for
another 48 years and passed away in 57 A.H. in Madinah. In
accordance with her request, she was buried at night in Jannatul
Baqī' (the graveyard of Madinah).
'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha was 66 years old at the time of her
death. Abu Hurayrah 4%
performed the janāzah salāh. Qasim
ibn Muhammad, 'Abdullah ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman, 'Abdullah ibn
Abī 'Atīq, 'Urwah ibn Zubayr and 'Abdullah ibn Zubayr
lowered her in her grave. [They were all her nephews].1
We had related the Hadith of Abu Sa'id al-Khudrī
that
Rasūlullah % did not marry any woman without first receiving
divine revelation from Allah via Jibra'il . This also
happened in the case of 'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anhā. Imam
Tirmidhī rahimahullah narrates from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar
that Rasulullah % said: "Jibra'il came to me and informed me
that Allah " has performed my marriage to 'A'ishah, the
daughter of Abu Bakr. I was also shown an image2 of 'A'ishah,
showing me that this is my wife." A similar theme is also
related in the Traditions of Imam Bukhārī rahimahullah and
Imām Muslim rahimahullāh.3
'Ā'ishah radiyallahu 'anha was a true daughter of Abu Bakr
6. She acquired a special share of his understanding, insight,
intelligence and trustworthiness. Umm Rūman was her mother.
1
Zurqānî, vol. 3, pp.229-236.
2 This is something to do with the unseen world and cannot be applied to
this physical world. This cannot be used to show the legality of photographs.
There are numerous Ahadîth prohibiting photographs and curses on those
who make them. The person who takes photographs while acknowledging
that they are prohibited is a sinner. As for the one who takes them and
believes that this is lawful, there is the fear of unbelief for him.
3 Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 234.

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The Life of Muhammad
Rasūlullah ¿ said about her: "The person who wants to see the
Hūrīs of paradise, should look at Umm Rūman."]
It was therefore the divine will of Allah % that the daughter of
Rasūlullāh's most beloved companion be given to him in
marriage and placed under his training from a very young age.
At such an age, the heart was absolutely clean and pure. No
falsehood was ever painted on it. Her age was one of
innocence. At the same time, there seems to be no falsehood
from the father and mother. In fact, the father enjoys the title of
Siddīq (one who treads the truth irrespective of what), he is the
envy of the angels, he enjoys the constant companionship of
Allah is. The mother is like a Hurī of paradise. On such a clear
and pure tablet, whatever mark of the knowledge of prophet-
hood is made on it will be so firmly embedded and so
productive that it will never be wiped out.
Consequently, she acquired such in-depth and wide-ranging
knowledge in a period of nine years, that after the demise of
Rasūlullah , whenever the senior Sahabah & encountered any
problems in understanding certain matters, they would consult
with 'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anhā. Her knowledge, her
jurisprudence and her knowledge of history were all accepted
during the era of the Sahabah . This was to such an extent that
it has been said that one quarter of the injuctions of the Shari' ah
have been narrated by her alone.
Abū Mūsā Ash'arī
says that whenever the Sahabah
encountered any problem in understanding any matter, they
would consult 'A'ishah and they would certainly find a solution
with her. (Narrated by Imam Tirmidhī rahimahullāh)
1 Narrated by Imām Bukhārî rahimahullāh in his Tārîkh. Zurqānî, vol. 3, p.
229.

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The Life of Muhammad %
Knowledge
Imam Zuhrī rahimahullah says that if the knowledge of
'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha was compared with that of the rest
of the wives of Rasulullah # and all the other women of Islam,
the knowledge of 'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha would surpass all
that.1
Her eloquence in speech was such that Mu'awiyah % says: "I
have not come across any speaker more eloquent than
'A'ishah."2
She had deep knowledge of Arabic history and incidents. She
knew many poems by heart. When she had to say something,
she would almost certainly quote a poem in support of that.3
Abstinence
The above were a few examples of her knowledge. The
following is an example of her abstinence. The fountain of all
merits and virtues is two things: knowledge and abstinence.
Abstinence refers to severing ties with this world. Just as love
for this world is the root of all evil, abstinence from this world
is the root of all good. O Allah, make us abstinent in this world
and bestow us the desire for the hereafter. An example of her
abstinence is this:
Umm Durrah used to frequent the house of 'A'ishah
radiyallāhu 'anhā. Umm Durrah narrates: On one occasion,
'Abdullah ibn Zubayr sent two bundles of money to 'A'ishah.
The money amounted to approximately 180 000 dirhams.
'Ā'ishah radiyallahu 'anhā immediately began distributing this
money. By the evening, she did not have a single dirham left.
1 Al-Isabah, under the biography of 'Ā'ishah radiyallāhu 'anhā.
2 At-Tabarānî.
3 Narrated by Abû az-Zinād and others. Zurqānî, p. 334.

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The Life of Muhammad %
She was fasting. When the sun set, she asked her servant to
present some food. She brought some bread and olive oil. Umm
Durrah said to her: "Had you bought some meat for one
dirham, it would have been good for you." 'A'ishah
radiyallāhu 'anhā replied: "Had you reminded me [when I had
the money] I would have bought it."
'Urwah 4% says: "I saw 'A'ishah distributing 70 000 dirhams at
a time while she was wearing patched clothes."1
It was based on these qualities and merits that Rasūlullah
loved her the most. Had he loved her solely because she was
his only virgin wife, he would have certainly forgotten
Khadījah radiyallāhu 'anhā. However, he used to constantly
think of her and make mention of her. When he used to
slaughter any animal, he would certainly seek out the friends of
Khadījah radiyallāhu 'anhā and send some meat to them. He
did not marry any other woman as long as she was alive. On the
other hand, he married eight women while married to 'A'ishah
radiyallāhu 'anhā. Allāh forbid, if Rasūlullah % was marrying
merely to fulfil his lust, he would never have married widows.
Umm Salamah radiyallāhu 'anhā and Safīyyah radiyallāhu
'anhā were more beautiful than 'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha.
Rasūlullah's % object in entering into several marriages was to
teach the ummah - that the injunctions and rulings that are
related to women may be easily conveyed by his wives. What
were the pure wives of Rasulullah ? They were actually
students of a women's school. The men were taught in Musjid-
e-Nabawī while the pure wives were taught at the house of
Rasūlullah . These very wives were to become teachers of the
ummah later on. Each one of them acquired knowledge in
accordance with her capability. However, 'A'ishah radiyallāhu
'anha surpassed all of them in her knowledge and merits. This
1 Sifah as-Safwah, vol. 2, p. 14.

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The Life of Muhammad *
is the bounty of Allah s which He gives to whomever He
wills. It is for this reason that she is considered to be the best
woman after Fatimah radiyallahu 'anha and Khadijah
radiyallāhu 'anhā.
These qualities and merits were naturally placed in the
temperament of 'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha by Allah %. Allah
then commanded His Messenger to take her into his
marriage so that those natural qualities and merits may come to
the fore by staying with him and remaining under his tutelage.
In this way, the world may benefit from her knowledge.
Eventually, this is what happened - that the senior Sahabah
benefited from her knowledge.
'Umar , 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar , Abu Hurayrah
Abū
Musa Ash'arī Abdullah ibn 'Abbas and other senior
Sahabah narrated from 'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha. Senior
Tābī'īn like Sa'īd ibn Musayyib, 'Amr ibn Maymun, 'Alqamah
ibn Qays, Masrūq, 'Abdullah ibn Hakim, Aswad ibn Yazīd,
Abū Salamah ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman and others were her
students.
After reading all these conditions and incidents, can a critic still
have the audacity to say that this marriage with 'A'ishah
radiyallāhu 'anhā was based on lust !? We seek refuge in Allah
Als from such thoughts. This marriage was not out of lust but by
the order of Allah u and divine revelation.
Merits and virtues
1. 'Ā'ishah radiyallahu 'anha narrates: "One day, Rasulullah
said to me: 'O 'A'ishah! Here is Jibra'il, he conveys salām to
you.' I replied: 'Peace be on him, and also the mercy and
blessings of Allah be on him.' I then said: 'O Rasūlullah! You
can see him while I cannot."""
2. Abū Mūsā Ash'arī % narrates that Rasūlullah said: "There
are many men who reached great heights. However, from

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The Life of Muhammad %
among the women, it is only Maryam bint 'Imran and Asiyah,
the wife of Pharaoh, that have reached great heights. And the
merit of 'A'ishah over all other women is just like this: just like
meat and broth over all other food."1
3. 'Ā'ishah radiyallahu 'anhā says: "I have been bestowed with
certain qualities from Allah . No woman apart from Maryam
has been bestowed with these qualities. By Allah, I am not
saying this out of pride. I am merely enumerating the bounties
and favours of Allah %. They are:
(a) Rasūlullah % did not marry any virgin woman apart
from me.
(b) Before the marriage, the angels came down with an
image of my self and showed it to Rasūlullah % saying:
'This is your wife. Allah orders you to marry her.'
(c) Rasūlullah ¿ used to love me the most.
(d) I am the daughter of the person who was most beloved
to Rasūlullah , viz. Abu Bakr
.
(e) Several verses in the Qur'an were revealed proving my
innocence. I was created pure and unadulterated. I am
living with a pure and unadulterated person [Rasūlullah
], and Allah & promised my forgiveness and noble
sustenance.
(f) I saw Jibra'il. None of the other wives of Rasūlullah
saw Jibra'il.
00
Jibra'il would come with divine revelation to Rasūlullah
while I was lying down with Rasulullah % under the
same sheet. Jibra'il did not come like this to any of the
other wives.
1 Imām Bukhārî, Sahîh, Kitab al-Manāqib, Bāb Fadl 'Ā'ishah.

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The Life of Muhammad %
(h) I had two nights and two days with Rasūlullah % while
the other wives had one night and one day. ('A'ishah
radiyallahu 'anhā had one night and one day, which
was her right. Later on, Saudah radiyallāhu 'anhā gave
her her turn because Saudah radiyallāhu 'anhā had
become old).
(i) When Rasūlullah * passed away, his head was in my
lap.
(j) He was buried in my room.
1
Umm al-Mu'minīn Hafsah bint 'Umar radiyallahu 'anhā
Hafsah radiyallāhu 'anhā is the daughter of 'Umar ibn al-
Khattāb
.
Her mother's name is Zaynab bint Maz'un
radiyallāhu 'anhā. Hafsah radiyallāhu 'anhā was born five
years before prophet-hood at the time when the Quraysh were
busy renovating the Ka'bah. Her first marriage was with
Khunays ibn Hudhafah Sahmī 45. She emigrated with her
husband to Madinah. He passed away after the battle of Badr.2
When Hafsah radiyallahu 'anha was widowed, 'Umar 4% went
to 'Uthman 4% and said: "If you wish, I will get Hafsah married
to you." 'Uthman 4% replied: "I will think about the matter and
inform you." When I met him later on, 'Uthman 4% excused
himself and said that he does not intend marrying her. 'Umar 4%
says: "I then went to Abu Bakr and said to him: 'If you wish, I
will get Hafsah married to you." Abu Bakr 4% remained silent
and did not give any reply. I was quite grieved by his response.
A few days later Rasulullah % proposed to her. I got Hafsah
1 Narrated by Abû Ya'la and al-Bazzaz. One of the narrators in this Hadîth
is Mujālid. He is a good narrator. The remaining narrators are from the
Sahîh of Imam Bukharî rahimahullah [and are therefore exceptionally good
narrators]. Majma 'uz Zawā'id, vol. 9, p. 241.
2 Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 236.

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The Life of Muhammad *
married to Rasūlullah . Abu Bakr met me after that and said:
'O 'Umar! You are probably angry with me. The reason why I
did not give you any reply was that I knew that Rasūlullah
was intending to propose to her. I therefore remained silent and
did not feel it appropriate to reveal Rasūlullah's secret. Had
Rasūlullah % not proposed to her, I would have certainly
accepted your offer."
The preferred opinion is that Rasulullah & married Hafsah
radiyallāhu 'anhā in 3 A.H.1
On one occasion Rasulullah divorced Hafsah radiyallahu
'anha. Jibra'il sk came down with the divine instruction
saying:
ارجع حفصة فإنها صوامة قوامة وإنها زوجتك في الجنة
"Take back Hafsah for she fasts a lot, prays a lot and she is
your wife in paradise."2
Hafsah radiyallāhu 'anhā passed away in Madinah in Sha'ban
45 A.H. during the caliphate of Mu'awiyah 4%. Marwan ibn
Hakam performed the janāzah salah. She was 60 years old at
the time of her death. There is much difference with regard to
the date of her death. The popular opinion is given here.
Umm al-Mu'minīn Zaynab bint Khuzaymah radiyallahu 'anhā
Her name was Zaynab, but because she was extremely
generous since before Islam, she was given the title Umm al-
Masākīn - the mother of the poor. Her father's name was
Khuzaymah ibn al-Harith Hilalī. Her first marriage was with
'Abdullah ibn Jahsh 4%. He was martyred in 3 A.H. in the battle
of Uhud. On the expiry of her 'iddah, Rasulullah % proposed to
1 Al-Işābah, vol. 4, p. 253.
2 Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 238.

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The Life of Muhammad
her. The dowry was set at 500 dirhams. Two or three months
after the marriage, she passed away. Rasūlullah % personally
performed the janazah salah and she was buried in Jannatul
Baqi'. She was 30 years old at the time of her death.1
Umm al-Mu'minîn Umm Salamah bint Abī Umayyah
radiyallāhu ‘anhā
Umm Salamah was her title while her name was Hind. She was
the daughter of Abū Umayyah Qurashi Makhzūmī. Her
mother's name was 'Ātikah bint 'Amir ibn Rabi'ah. Her first
marriage was with her cousin, Abū Salamah ibn 'Abd al-Asad
Makhzūmī. She embraced Islam together with her husband and
also undertook the first emigration to Abyssinia with him. On
returning from there, she emigrated to Madinah.
Abū Salamah 4% participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud.
In the battle of Uhud, he injured his side. He had to treat it for
about a month till it got better. In the beginning of Muharram 4
A.H., Rasūlullah % sent him at the head of a small army. They
retruned after 29 days. On his return, his old wound resurfaced
and he eventually passed away on account of it on 8 Jumāda al-
Ukhrā 4 A.H.2
Umm Salamah radiyallāhu 'anhā says: "One day, my husband,
Abū Salamah came into the house and said to me: 'I have heard
a Hadith from Rasulullah % which is more beloved to me than
this world and whatever it contains. The Hadith is: 'When a
person is afflicted by any calamity and he says:
إِنَّا للهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُوْنَ
"To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."
1 Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 249. 'Uyûn al-Athar, vol. 2, p. 303.
2 'Uyûn al-Athar, vol. 2, p. 304.

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The Life of Muhammad
And then reads the following supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ عِنْدَكَ أَحْتَسِبُ مُصِيْبَتِيْ هَذِهِ اللَّهُمَّ اخُلُفْنِيْ فِيْهَا ◌ِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا
"O Allah! It is in You that I place my hope for the reward for
this calamity. O Allah! Bestow me with something better in
place of it."
"Then Allah will certainly bestow him with something far
better."1
Umm Salamah radiyallāhu 'anhā says: "I remembered this
Hadith after the death of Abu Salamah. When I began reciting
this supplication, I thought to my self, how will I get someone
better than Abū Salamah? However, since it was a teaching of
Rasūlullah , I recited this supplication. Consequently, the fruit
of this supplication was that after the expiry of my 'iddah,
Rasūlullah % proposed to me. There is nothing better than this
in this world."2
When Rasūlullah
proposed to her, she offered the following
excuses:
1. I am gone very old.
2. I have children. These orphans are under my care.
3. I am extremely jealous by nature.
Rasūlullah % replied: "I am older than you. Your children are
the children of Allah and His Messenger. I will supplicate to
Allah g to remove that jealousy from you."
1 Narrated by Muslim, Tirmidhî, Abû Dā'ûd and Nasa'î.
2 Al-Işābah, vol. 2, p. 335.

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The Life of Muhammad
Rasūlullāh
supplicated for her and his supplication was
accepted.1
Rasūlullah married her towards the end of Shawwal 4 A.H.
Anas 4% narrates that Rasulullah % gave her some goods in
dowry, the value of which was 10 dirhams.2
Ibn Ishaq rahimahullāh narrates that Rasūlullah * also gave
her a mattress which was filled with date leaves, instead of
wool. He also gave her a plate, a bowl and a mill-stone.3
Demise
There is much difference with regard to the date of her death.
Imām Bukhārī rahimahullāh says in his Tārīkh that she passed
away in 58 A.H. while Waqidī rahimahullah says 59 A.H.4 Ibn
Hibban rahimahullāh says that she passed away in 61 A.H.
when she heard about the martyrdom of Husayn %. Abū
Nu'aym rahimahullah says that she passed away in 62 A.H. In
his al-Isabah and Tagrīb, Hafiz 'Asqalānī rahimahullah
considers this last opinion to be preferable. Umm Salamah
radiyallāhu 'anhā was the last to pass away from the pure
wives of Rasūlullah .5
Abū Hurayrah 4%
performed the janazah salah. She was 84
years old at the time.6
1 'Uyûn al-Athar, vol. 2, p. 304, under the biography of Hind bint Abî
Umayyah.
2 Narrated in the Musnad of al-Bazzāz.
3 Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 241.
4 Zurqānî, vol. 3, p. 341.
5
Al-Isābah, vol. 4, p. 459, under the biography of Umm Salamah
radiyallāhu 'anhā.
6 Ibid.

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The Life of Muhammad *
She was lowered into her grave by her two sons from her
previous marriage. Their names were 'Umar and Salamah. The
following two persons were also there to lower her in her grave,
‘Abdullah ibn 'Abdillah ibn Abī Umayyah and 'Abdullah ibn
Wahb ibn Zam'ah. She was buried in Jannatul Baqi'. May
Allah s be pleased with her and may He shower His mercy on
her. 1
Virtues and merits
The virtues, merits, beauty, understanding, insight and
intelligence of Umm Salamah radiyallāhu 'anhā were an
accepted fact. At Hudaybiyah, Rasulullah % had instructed the
Sahabah to slaughter their sacrificial animals and shave their
heads. He issued this instruction three times but because they
were so overtaken by sorrow, they did not pay heed. When
Umm Salamah radiyallahu 'anhā heard about this, she said to
Rasūlullāh : "O Rasūlullah! These Companions are overtaken
by grief and sorrow by this peace treaty. Do not instruct anyone
to do anything. Rather, slaughter your animal and shave your
head." No sooner Rasulullah % slaughtered his animal, the
Sahabah rushed to slaughter their own animals and then
shaved their heads as well. This problem was thus solved by the
advice of Umm Salamah radiyallahu 'anha. May Allah
reward her.
She was extremely beautiful 'Ā'ishah radiyallāhu 'anhā says:
"When Rasulullah # married her, I became extremely jealous
of her because of her beauty and good looks."2
1 Istî'ab, under the biography of Hind.
2 Al-Işābah, vol. 4, p. 459.

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The Life of Muhammad
Umm al-Mu'minīn Zaynab bint Jahsh radiyallahu 'anhā
Zaynab bint Jahsh radiyallahu 'anha was the daughter of
Rasūlullah's % paternal aunt, Umaymah bint 'Abd al-Muttalib.
In other words, she was his paternal cousin. Before coming into
the marriage of Rasulullah , she was married to Rasūlullah's
adopted son and freed slave, Zayd ibn Harithah . Since
there was no mutual compatibility, Zayd
es divorced her. Zayd
was a freed slave while Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā was from
a very distinguished family and the cousin of Rasūlullah %. The
Arabs considered it below their dignity to marry freed slaves.
Therefore, when Rasūlullah % proposed to Zaynab radiyallahu
'anhā on behalf of Zayd 4%, Zaynab radiyallahu 'anha and her
brother both refused blankly. The following verse was
revealed:
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلاَ مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَّكُوْنَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ
يَّعْصِ اللّهَ وَرَسُؤْلَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلاَلاً مُّبِيْنًا.
"It does not behove a believing male nor a believing female
that when Allah and His Messenger issue an order, for them to
have a choice of their own. Whoever disobeys Allah and His
Messenger has certainly gone clearly astray."
The "believing male" in this verse specifically refers to
'Abdullah ibn Jahsh % while the "believing female" refers to
his sister, Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā. The verse means that it is
not permitted for a believing male and female not to accept a
matter that is decided by Allah s and His Messenger .
After the revelation of this verse, they both accepted and
Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā married Zayd 4% in accordance with
the order of Allah . Although the marriage took place, Zayd
remained contemptible and loathsome in the sight of Zaynab
radiyallāhu 'anhā. There was therefore constant fighting and
bickering in the house. Zayd % complained regularly to
Rasūlullah % with regard to Zaynab's radiyallāhu 'anhā lack of

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The Life of Muhammad %
affection towards him and said that he will leave her.
Rasūlullah % would stop him from divorcing her, and say to
him: "You accepted to marry her because of me. If you are
going to leave her now, it will cause you more disgrace. And I
will feel ashamed in my own family."
When these fights and arguments were mentioned to him
repeatedly, Rasūlullah % concluded in his heart that if Zayd
divorces her, there will be no way of consoling her except by
his personally marrying her. However, Rasulullah % feared the
bad thoughts and accusations of the ignorant ones and the
hypocrites. That they would say: "He has married his son's
wife and kept her in his own house." They would say this
although an adopted son is certainly not considered to be one's
own son. It was quite an old Arab custom that they considered
it a great blemish to marry the wife of one's adopted son. It was
the divine will of Allah , to break this old custom by the
action of Rasulullah . Allah informed him via divine
revelation that when Zayd
divorces Zaynab radiyallāhu
'anhā, she will come into his marriage. In so doing, the people
will learn and realize that the injunction that is applied to the
wife of one's own son is not applicable to the wife of one's
adopted son.
In short, Rasūlullah % was informed through revelation that
Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā will come into his marriage.
However, because he was afraid of the accusations and insults
of the mischief makers that he is marrying the wife of his
adopted son, he did not divulge this information to anyone. He
left it concealed in his heart and thought to himself that these
words of Allah % are totally true. They will certainly be
realized at the appropriate time. Furthermore, Allah % also did
not order him to divulge this information at present. He
therefore concealed this conceptual order in his heart, while he
continued advising Zayd 4% not to divorce Zaynab radiyallāhu
'anhā. This is also the order of the Shari'ah that the husband

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The Life of Muhammad %
should always be advised not to divorce his wife. That he
should exercise patience over the lack of interest of the wife. If
anyone learns, through revelation or inspiration, that this is
going to happen in the future and that fate and destiny have
already decided that this is going to happen, then he will have
to follow the order of the Shari'ah at present. Fate and destiny
will automatically bring to fruition whatever is supposed to be
brought to fruition.
Eventualy, Zayd
came to Rasūlullah
and said: "O
Messenger of Allah! I have become totally fed up and therefore
issued a divorce to Zaynab." Rasūlullah remained silent.
Anas 4% narrates that when the 'iddah of Zaynab radiyallahu
anha expired, Rasulullah instructed Zayd
to go
personally to Zaynab and convey a proposal of marriage on
behalf of Rasūlullah % (so that it may become clear that
whatever happened, happened with the approval of Zayd 4%).
Zayd % took this proposal of Rasulullah % and went to the
house of Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā. He turned his back towards
the door and stood there (although the order of hijab was not
yet revealed. This was the high level of Zayd's 4% piety and
devoutness.) He then said: "O Zaynab! Rasūlullah % has sent
me with his proposal of marrying you." She replied: "I cannot
say anything until I have consulted with Allah (g." She
immediately got up, went to one corner where she used to offer
her prayers and engaged in istikhārah.1
Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā did not consult any creation. She
desired the counsel of Allah ; alone and asked Him for
goodness because He alone is the true protector of the
believers. Allah ; therefore, through His special protection,
performed the marriage of Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā with
1
Seeking goodness from Allah % by offering two rak'ats of salah and
making a special supplication to Him.

339
The Life of Muhammad %
Rasulullah % in the heavens, in the presence of the angels. This
announcement was made in the heavens. The need was to
announce this on earth as well. Jibra'il cky came down with this
verse:
فَلَمَّا قَضَى زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًّا زَوَّجْنَاكَهَا
"When Zayd accomplished his purpose with her, We got her
married to you." (Sūrah al-Ahzab, verse 37)
Rasūlullah then went to the house of Zaynab radiyallahu
'anhā and entered without seeking permission [because she was
now his wife].1
One Tradition states that Rasulullah ¿ was in the house of
'A'ishah radiyallahu 'anha when this verse was revealed.
When the verse was revealed, he smiled and turned towards the
Sahabah & and asked, "Who is it who will go to Zaynab and
give her these glad tidings." Rasūlullah % recited the following
verse to them:
وَإِذْ تَقُوْلُ لِلَّذِيْ أَنْعَمَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَاتَّقِ اللهَ وَتُخْفِيْ فِيْ
نَفْسِكَ مَا اللهُ مُبْدِيْهِ وَتَّخْشَى النَّاسَ، وَاللهُ أَحَقُّ أَنْ تَخْشَاهُ. فَلَمَّا قَضَى زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًّا
زَوَّجْنَاكَهَا لِكَيْ لاَ يَكُوْنَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ حَرَجٌ فِيْ أَزْوَاجِ أَدْعِيَآئِهِمْ إِذَا قَضَوْا مِنْهُنَّ وَطَرَّ.
وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللّهِ مَفْعُوْلاً.
"When you said to him upon whom Allah had shown favour
and upon whom you had shown favour: "Keep your wife to
yourself and fear Allah." And you were concealing in your
heart something which Allah wants to reveal, and you were
fearing the people. Whereas you ought to fear Allah more.
When Zayd accomplished his purpose with that woman, We
gave her to you in marriage so that there may be no sin on the
1 Narrated by Muslim, Ahmad and Nasa'î. Also, Fath al-Bārî, vol. 8, p. 400.

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The Life of Muhammad
believers in marrying the wives of their adopted sons once they
have accomplished their purpose with them. And Allah's
command must be fulfilled." (Sūrah al-Ahzab, verse 37)
'Ā'ishah radiyallahu 'anha says: "When Rasulullah _ recited
this verse, I thought to my self that Zaynab is beautiful, that is
accepted. However, she will now boast that Allah &# performed
her marriage in the heavens."1
We learn from this Hadith that Rasulullah % first sent a
messenger to Zaynab radiyallāhu 'anhā informing her that
Allah i had revealed these verses with regard to her marriage.
When this news reached her, she immediately fell into a
prostration of gratitude.2
Since the divine order and revelation had reached Zaynab
radiyallahu 'anhā, Rasūlullah % went into her house without
seeking permission. The divine announcement of this marriage,
her acceptance of it after Rasulullah * conveyed the message to
her, her falling into prostration, and the fact that this proposal
had been conveyed previously by Zayd 4% - are all matters that
are more than what actually takes place in a marriage. After
entering her house, Rasulullah asked her: "What is your
name?" Her original name was Barrah. She therefore replied:
"My name is Barrah." Rasūlullah % decided to call her Zaynab
instead.3
After this incident, the hypocrites began making accusations
and said: "On one hand, the Messenger says that it is unlawful
to marry your son's wives, while he himself is marrying the
1 Al-Isābah, vol. 4, p. 313.
2 Narrated by Ibn Sa'd from Ibn 'Abbas 4% through a weak chain. Al-Isabah,
vol. 4, p. 313.
3
Ibn 'Abd al-Barr: Istî'ab, under the biography of Zaynab bint Jahsh
radiyallāhu 'anhā.