Wives and children of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Last updated: 4 October 2017 From the section Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Seventh wife: Zaynab bint Jahsh Al Asadiyyah
Zaynab bint Jahsh Al Asadiyyah was the seventh wife of the Prophet but the fifth one that was alive. By now Khadijah and Zaynab bint Khuzayma were dead.
Zaynab (also spelt Zainab) - her real name was Barra at birth - was the daughter of Jahsh ibn Ri'ab ibn Ya'mur al-Asadiyyah and Umaimah bint Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim. Umaimah was a sister of Prophet Muhammad's father Abdullah, hence Zaynab and her siblings were the first cousin of the Prophet. Zaynab was over a decade, possibly 20 years, younger than the Prophet (pbuh) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio. She was from the highest branch of the clan of Banu al-Asad. She was known for her generosity and sympathy for the needy, abstinence and devotion in prayer. Zaynab was beautiful, intelligent, wise and of noble birth - which made her highly sought after.
Unhappy marriage to Zayd bin Harith (ra), following the Prophet's persuasion
Zaynab was previously married in Makkah and got divorced https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio. She migrated with her brother to Madinah where Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sent her a marriage proposal on behalf of Zayd bin Harith (ra), a former slave of Khadijah whom he had freed. Zayd (also spelt Zaid) was adopted as son by the Prophet (pbuh) when he was 8 years old hence he was also known as Zayd ibn Muhammad (Zayd son of Muhammad).
Zaynab and her brother had reservation and felt Zayd was not her calibre, especially since she was from a high lineage. She was neither keen nor willing to marry a freed slave. Nevertheless the Prophet persisted and convinced Zaynab to marry Zaid. One of his possible reason was perhaps to destroy racial discrimination and racial segregation which was fully ingrained within the Arab culture at the time.
Zaynab had her doubt but still married Zayd. She realised that there was no difference between what the Prophet wanted and what Allah wanted. Muhammad (pbuh) provided the dowry on Zayd's dowry. Ultimately, Zaynab and Zaid's differences proved too big and it was a strainful relationship.
Muhammad's alleged encounter with Zaynab
According to a debatable hadith in Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, when the Prophet once went to visit Zayd's house and he saw Zaynab, 'something came to his heart'.
It is narrated that Muhammad (pbuh) went to Zayd's house but did not find him. Zaynab meet him, but since she was dressed only in a shift, the Messenger turned away from her. Zaynab told him Zayd wasn't in and invited him to come in the house. But Muhammad (pbuh) refused, and took his leave. While doing this, he murmured to himself "Glory be to Allah the Almighty! Glory be to Allah, who causes the hearts to turn!".
When Zayd came home, Zaynab told him what happened and what the Prophet (pbuh) murmured. Apparently, Zayd interpreted this as the Prophet developing feelings of admiration for Zaynab.
Zayd divorces Zaynab, even though Muhammad (pbuh) told him not to
Zayd's relationship with Zaynab deteriorated even further and became unbearable. As a former slave he was held in low esteem in the eyes of Zaynab. They proved to be incompatible for each other. He decided to divorce her.
It's mentioned in Sahih Bukhari and Sunan at-Trimidhi, that Zayd came to the Prophet complaining about Zaynab. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told Zayd to keep his wife and not divorce her. Apparently this occured on more than one occasion. And each time the Prophet (pbuh) repeatedly advised him to keep his wife. But eventually Zayd could not maintain his marriage any longer. He went through with the divorce through his own choice. Their marriage lasted for at least 3 years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio.
Muhammad (pbuh) 'conceals something' in his heart which Allah will 'disclose'
Once, when the Prophet (pbuh) was with Aishah, a fainting overcame him and Surah 33 Al-Ahzab (The Combined Forces) verse 37 was revealed. Here Allah tells Muhammad (pbuh) not to be be scared of people but Allah alone and that which he has 'concealed within yourself' Allah will 'disclose':
Surah 33 Al-Ahzab (The Combined Forces), ayat 37
And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished
Zayd became the only sahabi to be ever mentioned by name in the Qur'an. No other sahabi has that honour. It was his biggest compliment.
The next page and a half of Surah Al-Ahzab is dedicated to praising Muhammad (pbuh), even mentioning his name. It was only one of the four times his name Muhammad was mentioned in the Qur'an.
Prophet sends Zayd with his own marriage proposal to Zaynab
During those days it was Arab custom to give the same status to adopted children as to their own flesh and blood. Adopted sons were treated as real sons, with all rights of inheritance etc. However, after her divorce to Zayd, the Prophet was commanded by Allah to marry Zaynab in order to destroy this custom and remove the taboo of adopted son.
Once the period of waiting was over, Muhammad (pbuh) sent Zayd to go to Zaynab and mention his name and see if she's interested in marrying him. Biographer Ibn Sa'd narrates that the Prophet told Zayd he didn't trust anyone more than him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio.
Since the Prophet had mentioned Zaynab's name, Zayd felt embarrassed to look at her so out of humility he turned his back and gave the Prophet's proposal. Zaynab responded by saying she won't response until she sought Allah's assistance first. So Zaynab prayed istikarah (voluntary prayer when seeking help).
Muhammad (pbuh) marries Zaynab (pbuh), much to Aisha's envy
Most Islamic history books say she was around 35 years old when she married the Prophet. Many report suggest that they married in Dhu al Qa'dah 5 A.H. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio
The verses of Hijab were revealed on the night of the Prophet and Zaynab's marriage. Before their marriage, there were no verses relating to hijab so women didn't wear any. Zaynab's walima was the most luxurious walima out of all the wives of the Prophet. Prophet provided meat and bread until the guests could eat no more (rice only became a stable diet later when the Muslims conquered Persian and Roman lands). He invited everyone to the ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio.
Surah Al-Ahzab, ayat 33
And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance. And establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification
Zaynab would boast to Prophet's other wives that she was the only one Allah had married off while they themselves were married by their wali (guardian). Zaynab was known for her beauty and piety. She was viewed as the only competition to Aisha in terms of the love that the Prophet had. The wives of the Prophet were divided into these two camps.
Despite the jealousy Aisha and Zaynab both had mutual respect for each other and got on very well.
Controversy of the Qur'anic verse, which Muhammad (pbuh) would hid if he was given a choice
According to the books of hadith, if Prophet Muhammad had to hide one ayat (verse) of the Noble Qur'an it would've been the Surah Al-Ahzab verse 37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio. That's because it's painful and caused him a lot of distress. But since he's honest and noble, he revealed the verse.
Some scholars have interpretated the verse as indicating that the Prophet (pbuh) was in love with Zaynab, or that he wished Zayd would divorce her, or that he intended to marry Zaynab if Zayd divorced her.
Others have interpretated it as a promise from Allah Almighty that Muhammad (pbuh) will eventually marry Zaynab.
For the first 3 - 4 centuries of Islam, only the first version was the predominant view though the second version was still found. In 4th - 5th centuries both versions are mentioned, with some suggesting the second version was more appropriate. In 6th - 8th centuries the first version (i.e. that of inclination/love) is not mentioned at all as they argued that the second version (i.e. Allah's promise) is better interpretation of the verse and it was this version that the critical researchers approved https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio. They didn't even consider the first version even worthy of a mention as it wasn't authentic.
Later, some modern day scholars claimed the whole story of the first version is a fabrication by Orientalists. But the sheer quantity of early historian narrating the story suggest the first version is authentic. The fabrication theory has been dismissed by reputable scholars as a conspiracy and without merit. After all, those crying fabrication cannot just choose to remove this story and would have to abandon most of the narration of early historians.
Love interpreted as lust by critics
The predominant opinion among early historians was that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was inclined to Zaynab. It is not unnatural for a man to fall in love. The fact that he is a prophet does not rob him of his natural human emotions. In fact it is true that he loved his wives. They argued that the second interpretation (i.e. Allah's promise) suggests that Muhammad (pbuh) was delaying and fighting what Allah has decreed for him. So they preferred the first interpretation.
However, in this version the problem area is the stigma of the Prophet and his inclination.
Many non-Muslims critics of Islam have used this interpretation to question moral integrity of Muhammad (pbuh). They accuse him of being a lustful man who wanted to marry his own daughter-in-law. He was struck by her beauty and waited for Zayd to divorce her so he could marry her. And by overturning the traditional Arab custom of treating adopted sons as real sons, Muhammad (pbuh), they argue, protected himself from any Muslim criticism. The critics gleefully reproduce this story and pass it on as fact, failing to mention the other interpretation of the verse, the social context, the weak (or non-existent) chain of narration, and the positive impact of the Prophet's action.
Embarrassment, rather than sin
For this reason, some Muslim scholars have said this interpretation was not befitting of a prophet and found these stories to be problematic. They argue, the Prophet (pbuh) was criticised for concealing the fact that eventually that Zaynab would become his wife. That what he actually felt was concern for her well being, and that if Zayd did divorce her he'd marry her to fulfil the ties of kinship since she was his cousin.
They remove the love factor completely and suggest he wanted to marry her because he wanted to take care of his cousin.
So in terms of Qur'anic text, what the Prophet was concealing was not a sin but something embarrassing (i.e. a natural human emotion). The context of the verse also suggest this. Allah did not tell him to seek refuge, nor did He rebuke him. Even if the love version is correct, it doesn't mean any sin was committed. A man is not accountable of his emotion as long as he doesn't act upon them. There's no sin in it at all. Allah does not ask him to repent nor say that he was done a mistake.
Prophet is still a normal man with normal male inclination. But he could control them. That's part of his perfection. It's problematic to turn him into a semi-mystical, divine figure with superhuman powers which people could not connect to.
For Zayd it was perfect opportunity to leave an unhappy marriage. Zaynab had a sharp tongue, she was harsh to him and looked down upon him. There was no love in that marriage from day one. So for Zayd it was a burden off his shoulder. Without Prophet's consent he divorced her.
These scholars point out it's not like Muhammad (pbuh) hasn't seen Zaynab before. She's his cousin. He had known her since childhood. He seen her before and knows what she looks like so the question of 'instant' love or being suddenly struck by her beauty - and that too after she was already married to his beloved adopted son - is not plausible. His instant proposal to wife Juwayriya is a better example of him acting immediately when required.
It was Muhammad (pbuh) himself who arranged Zaynab to marry Zaid and gave the proposal originally on Zayd's behalf. If he was interested or lustful he would've encouraged her to marry none but him and proposed for himself from day one. This would've made everyone's life easier as he was more noble than her so they would've avoided all the drama and heartache of Zaynab marrying a freed slave. If he had ulterior motives, he could have gone about the matter in a much more subtle way and gotten what he wanted. But Muhammad (pbuh) instigated the talks and persuaded Zaynab to marry Zayd. Why would he do that if he was 'in love' with her?
Zayd and Zaynab's marriage proved to be an unhappy one. Muhammad (pbuh) only considered marrying her after Allah had revealed He intended to marry her to the Prophet. Zayd also went to his ex-wife Zaynab with Muhammad's marriage proposal later on. So the adopted son and/or ex-daughter-in-law issue is not a problem. And since the Prophet (pbuh) eventually married Zaynab, it was the marriage that Allah 'disclosed' (which the Qur'an refers to) not his inclination. So this version has more weight, though Allah knows best which version is correct.
Intended to raise status of freed slave and remove taboo of adopted children
Coming from one of the noblest families of Quraysh, Zaynab was expected to marry a man with the same high social status. But the Prophet (pbuh) knew that piety and not social status was the primary consideration in marriage. He had watched both Zayd and Zaynab grow up, and thought they would make a good couple and that their marriage would demonstrate that it was not who their ancestors were, but rather their religiousness that mattered. So the primary motive was to raise the status of slaves in Arabian society where slavery was rampant. One of the measures to remove this was to marry a slave to a noble family. And this change had to begin at his own home.
The custom among the pagan Arabs was that an adopted son was like a person's biological son. He carried his adopted father's name and inherited from him. Islam overturned that custom as a way of safeguarding lineage. A man may adopt a child and take care of him, but that child cannot assume the lineage of his adopted father. He must retain his own family name.
Surah 33 Al-Ahzab (The Combined Forces), ayats 4 - 5
Allah has not made for a man two hearts in his interior. And He has not made your wives whom you declare unlawful your mothers. And he has not made your adopted sons your [true] sons. That is [merely] your saying by your mouths, but Allah says the truth, and He guides to the [right] way.
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah . But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
By marrying Zaynab, Muhammad (pbuh) became the first man to express the disapproval in a practical way. The Prophet (pbuh) demonstrated in the clearest possible way that in Islam an adopted son is not the same as a natural son and that the guardian of an adopted son is permitted to marry a woman who was once married to that adopted son. Since it was he himself who encouraged Zaynab to participate in this, the only way to rectify this situation and console her would be for him to marry her.
Had the Prophet (pbuh) only verbally told the Muslims to do something, it may not have had the same effect (as the shaving of hair for umrah and hajj episode proved). Sometime cultural practices and taboos are very strong. For example, even today it's difficult for many Muslims to marry each other from different ethnic background. Therefor, by acting on the the command, he was solidifying it.
Muhammad's marriage to Zaynab served two legislative purposes: the lawful marriage of divorcees and the real status of adopted children.
This marriage [of Prophet Muhammad to Zaynab] served more than one purpose. First, the prophet was responsible for arranging Zainab's marriage to Zaid. In a sense, then, he was also indirectly responsible for the unhappiness she felt in her marriage. Her marriage to the prophet now provided her the honour she felt she deserved, and exonerated the prophet.
Second, Zaid had been adopted as the prophet's son. Eventually, however, the Qur'an prohibited the practice of changing the parental identity of adopted persons. Zaid, then, was to no longer be called "son of Muhammad" but rather "a close friend." The prophet's marriage to the divorced wife of Zaid was a practical demonstration that the adopted relationship was not equal to a real blood-relationship. A man cannot marry the divorced wife of his real son but he can marry the divorced wife of his adopted son.
The abolishment of the age-old practice was a positive improvement for the adopted persons. People outside of Islam still continue this practice for their own benefit. They adopt children and rob them of their real identify, making them believe they are real children of the household in which they grow up. When such children realize the truth they suffer much disappointment and grief. The adoptive process continues for the selfish gain of the adoptive parents.
But is it not true that children sometimes need adoptive parents? Yes. But they also need to preserve their real identify. This is what Islam ensures. It is the responsibility of the entire community to help children in need. They should be taken in and nurtured but not confused with one's own children.
The prophet's marriage to Zainab was a bold measure to forever engrave in the minds of his followers that as much as people would resist change, some changes are worth the effort. Adoptive children should no longer be robbed of their real identities.
Mother of the poor and needy
Zaynab continued to live a life of piety and taqwa (God fearing). She continued to look after orphans.
Zaynab passed away in 20 A.H. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio, ten years after the Prophet (pbuh). Umar ibn al-Khattab performed the janaza (funeral prayer) and all the major shahabas participated in it.
Zayd died 12 years earlier in 8 A.H. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaorsGGFio
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When Zaynab completed her period of waiting, the Prophet (pbuh) sent her a proposal through Zaid. Zaynab did not make a decision. Instead she began praying for Allah's guidance. Eventually the Prophet (pbuh) received a Revelation which allowed him to marry her.
No other companion of the Prophet (pbuh) is mentioned by his name in the Qu'ran - in spite of many rules being revealed due to them - except Zayd alone. Prophet Muhammad's marriage to Zaynab would act as a perfect example of destroying the pagan superstition and taboo about adopted sons as Allah willed. Thus Zaynab became the only one of Prophet's wives whose wali (guardian) was Allah (Subhanawatallah).
Zaynab was an innately good woman who used to devote a great deal of her time to prayer and fasting. She even made a little mosque in a corner of her house and used to spend a lot of time there in prayer and meditation.