Mothers of the believers (1)

The Prophet had either eleven or twelve wives, of whom nine were alive when he passed away. A short account of each of the Mothers of the believers is given below.

Khadeejah bint Khulwaylid

The Prophet married her when he was twenty-five years old. She bore all the Prophet’s children except Ibraheem, and was the Prophet’s only wife while she lived. She died at the age of 65, in the month of Ramadan, ten years after the Prophet began his mission, and was buried in Hajoon.

Saudah bint Zam’a

She was previously married to her cousin Sakran bin Amr. The couple embraced Islam and migrated to Abyssinia. On their return to Makkah, Sakran died. The Prophet married Saudah in Shawwal, one month after Khadeejah died. She died in Shawwal, 54 A.H.

Aishah Siddeeqah bint Abu Bakr Siddeeq

 The Prophet married her in Shawwal, a year after marrying Saudah. Aishah was the only virgin the Prophet married and was regarded as the best loved of all the Prophet’s wives. She was the most learned female Muslim jurist in history. She passed away on Ramadan 17, 57 A.H., and was buried in Baqi.

Hafsah bint Umar bin Khattab

She was married to Khunays bin Hadhayfah, who died from a wound incurred in the Battle of Badr. The Prophet married her in Sha’ban, 3 A.H., after she came out of mourning. She died in Madinah in Sha’ban, 45 A.H., at the age of 60, and was buried in Baqi.

Zaynab bint Khuzaymah

She was the widow of Ubaydah bin Harith who was martyred in the Battle of Badr. According to some others she was married to Abdullah bin Jahsh , who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud. The Prophet married her in 4 A.H. In the Days of Ignorance, she was known as “Umm Al-Masaakeen” (Mother if the destitute) for her compassion toward the poor. She died in Rabi’ Al-Akhir, 4 A.H., eight months after her marriage to the Prophet The Prophet led her funeral prayer and buried her in Baqi.

Umm Salamah, or Hind bint Abu Umayyah

She was married to Abu Salamah . She bore several children while married to him, but he died in Jamad Al-Akhir, 4, A.H. She was a great jurist and one of the wisest women of her time. She died in 59 A.H. at the age of 84 (other sources date her death in 62 A.H.). She was buried in Baqi.

Zaynab bint Jahsh bin Riqab

She was the daughter of the Prophet’s aunt Umayma bint Abdul Muttalib. She was initially married to Zayd bin Haritha, but the couple had problems, and Zayd divorced her. Zayd had been adopted by the Prophet , and according to ancient Arab customs, it was unlawful for a man to marry the former wife of an adopted son. Allah ordered the Prophet to marry Zaynab to show that this ancient Arab custom had been abolished. The marriage took place in Dhul Qa’dah, 5 A.H. (other sources date the marriage in 4 A.H.). She died in 20 A.H., at the age of 53 and was the first to die among the Prophet’s surviving wives. Umar led the funeral prayer, and she was buried in Baqi.