THE BLESSED WIVES OF RASOOLULLAH

SAYYADAH KHADIJAH (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

This noble lady belonged to the Quraish tribe and was also known as “Khatijatul Kubra” or “Khadijah the Great.” She was married to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) when he was 25 years old, while she was 40 years old. Khadijah was a devoted wife, companion, and counselor, always ready to stand by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) through all trials and tribulations. She provided immense support and assistance to the cause of Islam. She passed away at the age of 65, ten years after the first revelation. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) has praised her by saying, “The noblest women of the world are Sayyadah Mariam (peace be upon her) and Sayyadah Khadijah.” (Bukhari Shareef)

SAYYADAH SA’UDA (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

Sayyadah Sa’uda (may Allah be pleased with her) was a widow and the daughter of Sayyadah Zama (may Allah be pleased with him). After the passing of Sayyadah Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), she married the Beloved Habeeb (peace be upon him) when he was 55 years old.

Sa’uda was known for her generosity, affection, and kindness. The reason for their marriage was that the Prophet (peace be upon him) needed someone to care for his children, allowing him to focus on the heavy responsibilities of Prophethood. Sayyadah Aisha Siddique (may Allah be pleased with her) once remarked, “When I see Sa’uda, I wish my soul resided in her body.”

Sayyadah Sa’uda (may Allah be pleased with her) passed away in the year 55 A.H.

SAYYADAH AISHA SIDDIQUE (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

Sayyadah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was the daughter of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and remained unmarried until the 10th year of the Prophet’s mission. At that time, the Beloved Habeeb (peace be upon him) married her. Due to her young age, she only began living with him in Madinatul Munawwarah in the year 2 A.H. This marriage served to strengthen the bond of friendship with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), who was the Prophet’s closest companion, and also allowed Aisha to impart knowledge to other women.

Sayyadah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) led a simple life devoid of luxury and comfort. She dressed modestly and served the Beloved Habeeb (peace be upon him) with utmost devotion, and he held great love for her. She lived a pious life.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, Aisha was 25 years old. She then lived for another 48 years and witnessed the rule of all four Khulafaa.

She is renowned for her intelligence, intuition, knowledge of Hadith (sayings of the Prophet), understanding of religious principles, insights into Islamic knowledge, proficiency in Arabic literature, piety, and understanding of Islamic jurisprudence. She became a prominent scholar in Madinatul Munawwarah and memorized several thousand Ahadith by heart. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself taught her and answered her questions, and she also taught other women. A great scholar, Imam Zahri (may Allah be pleased with him), once said, “The knowledge of Sayyadah Aisha will surpass the knowledge of all the males and the Mothers of the Faithful combined.”

SAYYADAH HAFSA (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

Sayyadah Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) was the daughter of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and a widow. In the years 2 or 3 A.H., the Prophet (peace be upon him) married her. Additionally, he arranged the marriage of his own daughter, Sayyadah Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her), to Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him).

Hafsa was a highly educated individual and devoted much of her time to reading and writing. The Prophet (peace be upon him) personally taught her, making her an authority in Islamic knowledge. She was entrusted with the original hand-written copy of the Holy Quran. She possessed great piety and sanctity. She passed away in the month of Shabaan, in the year 45 A.H.

SAYYADAH ZAYNAB (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

Sayyadah Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) was the daughter of Khuzaimah. She was a widow living in poverty. Touched by her piety and selflessness, the Beloved Habeeb (peace be upon him) married her in the year 3 A.H.

Zaynab was known for her compassionate nature and her readiness to aid the poor and destitute. She devoted all her income to charity and earned the title of “Ummul Masaakin” or “Mother of the Poor.” Sadly, she passed away within three months of her marriage and was laid to rest in Jannatul Baqi.

SAYYADAH UMME SALMAH (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

Sayyadah Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) was the daughter of Abu Ummayyah Sohail. After her husband’s passing, she found herself with four children and no means of support. At the age of 57, in the month of Shawwal in the year 4 A.H., the Prophet (peace be upon him) married her.

Umm Salamah was not only remarkably beautiful but also led a deeply pious life. She dedicated herself to various acts of goodness and charity. She possessed extensive knowledge of Hadith (the Prophet’s sayings) and was proficient in teaching others about Islamic matters. She recited the Holy Quran in the same style as the Beloved Habeeb (peace be upon him) and her level of learning was nearly on par with that of Sayyadah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).

Umm Salamah outlived all the other Ummahaatul Mu’mineen (Mothers of the Believers) and passed away at the age of 84 in the year 63 A.H.

SAYYADAH ZAINAB (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

Sayyadah Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) was the daughter of Jahsh bin Rabah. She initially married Sayyiduna Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him), who was the adopted son of the Beloved Habeeb (peace be upon him). After her divorce from Zaid, she married the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the year 5 A.H., when he was 58 years old.

Her marriage to Sayyiduna Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) served as a significant lesson, highlighting the importance of not discriminating between free individuals and slaves in social matters. Zainab was known for her immense generosity towards the poor people of Madinatul Munawwarah. She passed away at the age of 53 in the year 20 A.H. and was laid to rest in Jannatul Baqi. Upon her passing, Sayyadah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) expressed her sorrow, saying, “Alas, the pious and respected lady has departed, leaving the orphans and widows heartbroken.”

SAYYADAH JUWAIRIYAH (RADI ALLAHU ANHA)

Sayyadah Juwairiyah (may Allah be pleased with her):

Sayyadah Juwairiyah was the daughter of Harith and a widow. She became a captive of war but was set free by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who married her in the year 5 A.H. As a result of this marriage, the prisoners from her tribe were released, leading many to accept Islam.

Juwairiyah was a woman of great self-respect and piety. She devoted much of her time to prayer and was highly learned. She passed away at the age of 65 in the year 56 A.H. and was buried in Jannatul Baqi.

Sayyadah Umm Habibah (may Allah be pleased with her):

Sayyadah Umm Habibah was the daughter of Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) and a widow. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married her when she was around 36-37 years old, in the years 6-7 A.H. This marriage also played a significant role in Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) embracing Islam.

Umm Habibah was a devoted wife and held great fear of Allah. She had deep concern for the poor, oppressed, and destitute, and she prayed fervently for the well-being of the Muslims. She passed away at the age of 73 in the year 44 A.H.

Sayyadah Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her):

Sayyadah Safiyyah was a Jewess who was taken captive during the Battle of Khaibar. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married her in the year 7 A.H. This marriage had a profound impact on the Jewish community, leading many to embrace Islam.

Safiyyah conducted herself with great dignity, patience, and politeness. She had a deep bond with the Beloved Habeeb (peace be upon him), and he held her in high regard. She was known for her generosity and kindness. She was also well-educated. Safiyyah passed away at the age of 50 and was laid to rest in Jannatul Baqi.

Sayyadah Maymuna (may Allah be pleased with her):

Maymuna was a widow when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married her in the month of Shawwal when she was 51 years old. Her marriage to the Prophet drew many people towards Islam. She was known for her piety, humility, and her passion for advising Muslim women and freeing slaves. Maymuna was also highly learned. She passed away in the year 51 A.H.

Sayyadah Maria al-Qibtiyya (may Allah be pleased with her):

Maria al-Qibtiyya was given to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a gift by the Christian King of Egypt. She embraced Islam and lived a life of great piety. Her marriage to the Prophet strengthened relations with the Egyptians. She passed away five years after the death of her son and is buried in Jannatul Baqi.