Part 98

(7) Zaynab bint Jahsh

She was the Prophet's cousin. The Prophet (pbuh) gave his son by adoption, Zayd, Zaynab in marriage. Adoption was one of prevalent tradition in the pre-Islamic period. The adopted was treated as a real son. He had the same rights of inheritance and he was prohibited of to marry the wives of his adopter.

Zayd's marriage with the Prophet's cousin Zaynab bint Johsh did not turn out happy. Zaynab the high-born, looked down upon Zayd the

freedman who had been a slave. And he was not comely to look at. Both were good people in their own way, and both loved the Prophet (pbuh), but there was mutual incompatibility and this is fatal to married life. Zayd wished to divorce her, but the Prophet (pbuh) asked him to hold his hand, and he obeyed. But when it became impossible to live with each other, then Zayd divorced her.

The pagan superstition and taboo about adopted sons had to be destroyed as Allah willed. Therefore, Allah the Almighty commanded His Messenger (pbuh)

To marry Zaynab even though the people would circulate that Muhammad got married to his son's wife. Thereupon Allah said,

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€Than didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that than shouldst. Fear Allah. Then when Zayd had dissolved (his marriage) with her We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved (their marriage) with them. And Allah's command must

What was aimed behind the Prophet's marriage to Zaynab was to destroy the superstitions of erecting false relationships to the detriment or loss of true blood relations.

(8) Juwairiya bint al-Harith

She had been married to one of the severest opponent to Islam and the Messenger of Allah, who was killed during the battle of Banu alMustalag. Then, Juwairiyah was taken as a prisoner of War. She was under Thabit Ibn Qays who wrote a contract for her emancipation. She went to the Prophet (pbuh) asking his help. But the prophet (pbuh) said, "Would you like something what is better than emancipation? She asked, "What is that?" The Prophet replied, "I pay your debt on your behalf and marry you." she answered, "Yes, Messenger of Allah." Then the Prophet said, "I have done that."

No sooner did the Prophet (pbuh) declare his marriage to Juwairiya than the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) came with her tribe and set them free saying: "These prisoners are the Prophet's relatives by marriage." ‘Aisha said, "When the Prophet (pbuh) married Juwairiya, when they (Muslims) set free about a hundred families of her tribe. Thus, there is no other woman, as I think, who blessed her tribe greater than her. Then all her people embraced Islam willingly. That was the rationale behind such marriage: to disseminate the word of Allah all over the world and to multiply the Muslims and the helpers of Islam.

(9) Umm Habiba bint Abu Sufyan

She was the widow of Ubaidellah Ibn Jahsh with whom she immigrated to Abyssinia to escape torture and pressure her belief. There her husband converted to Christianity and left her alone where he died soon after. She was perplexed and did not know where should she go: to Makka where her family who might convert her or to stay alone without a supporter abroad?

Then the Prophet (pbuh) sent to Negus, the king of Abyssian to give him Umm Habiba in marriage. Then, she agreed in overwhelming happiness. That was the rationale behind such a marriage: to honor this patient woman, to protect her of trials in religion and to please the hearts of her family.

(10) Safiyya bint Huyay ibn Akhtab

She was a daughter of the leader of Banu Quraidhah. She was taken as a prisoner of war after the murder of her husband in the battle

of Khaybar. When she was brought to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), he said to her, "Your father was a great Jewish enemy to me until Allah slayed him." She replied, "Allah says in His Book,

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€'No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another."

Then the Prophet (pbuh) gave her choice: either to set her free to be his wife or to return her to her family. She said, "O Messenger of Allah, I liked Islam and believed you before you had invited me. Moreover, I have nothing in Judaism, no father or brother, you gave me a choice between disbelief and Islam. Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to me than return to my tribe." Then the Prophet married her and made her emancipation as her dowry.

However, the main reason for this marriage was the keenness of the Prophet (pbuh) for Jewish people to embrace Islam, or at least to abate their enmity against it.

(11) Maymuna bint al-Harith

She was the widow of Abu Ruham Ibn ‘Abdel ‘Uzza. She was the last wife the Prophet (pbuh) married. The motivation behind this marriage was that the Prophet (pbuh) wanted to attract the people's hearts to Islam. Maymuna had many relatives and kin in Banu Hashim and Banu Makhzum.

Having mentioned the reasons and the circumstances that led to multiplying the Prophet's wives let us sum up these goals so that they are easy to understand:

(1) Spreading education among women. The situation required that some women should take the charge of guiding and teaching other women especially in feminine matters which they may have felt too shy to ask the Prophet (pbuh) about, such as marriage affairs, menstruation, postnatal childbirth and information about purification.

(2) Perfection of the legislation: Such as the nullification of the superstition of adoption which was prevalent in the pre-Islamic period. It gave much time to the Muslims to transmit the Prophet's sayings and traditions. Thus, it was mentioned that the Prophet's wives narrated what exceeded three thousand hadiths.

By marriage, the Prophet (pbuh) also consolidated the bonds of friendship with his companions.

The Prophet also gained the support of the leaders of the tribes from whom he married. Furthermore, they willingly embraced Islam.

It was also a mercy to those old women who could not find care or shelter for themselves and for their orphans after they had lost their husbands.

(6) Setting an excellent example for all Muslims, men and women. This

was represented in the Prophet's good treatment to his wives, implementing justice among them and enduring their anger tenderly.

These are the most important reasons that led the Prophet (pbuh) to practice polygamy.

She was born ten years before the Prophet's Messengership. She was the eldest child of Prophet from Khadija bint Khuwailid (may Allah be pleased with her). She was brought up in the Prophet's house under the patronage of the mast honorable parents: Muhammad, the Prophet and Khadija the mistress of all women. Therefore, Zaynab became an example of good manners.

No sooner did Zanynab reach the age of puberty than she was betrothed by her cousin from the maternal side, Abu Al-As Ibn orRabee’ who was an eminent master of the people of Quraish. From the paternal side Abu alAs belonged to ‘Abd Manaf ibn Qusai, the Prophet's grandfather and from the maternal side he belonged to Khuwailid, Khadija's father.

Therefore, Abu al-As and Zaynab were well acquainted with each other, Both of them knew how descent the other was. They married and led a happy marital life. Then, she gave birth to two boys: Ali and Umamah.

Oneday when Abu al-As was traveling for trade, there happened the greatest event in the life of the humanity. Muhammad (pbuh) was sent as a Messenger to all world. Zaynab, at once, responded to the call of truth which was revealed upon her father and embraced Islam. Having returned from his journey, he knew that his wife had accepted the new faith unexpectedly, she failed to convince him to embrace the religion of truth.

He justified his refusal by saying, "By Allah, I trust in your father but I fear that they might circulate that I left my father's religion to please my wife."

Zaynab was shocked by the disbelief of her husband. She stayed in her husband's home alone. Her mother died and her father and

sisters left to Madina.

Afterwards, in the battle of Badr Abu al--As was taken as a prisoner of war. The Prophet (pbuh) recommended the Muslims to treat the prisoners kindly. Meanwhile, Zaynab sent some money and a necklace to ransom her husband. It was her wedding present from her mother. No sooner did the Prophet (pbuh) see this necklace than he remembered earnestly his loyal wife, Khadija.

Thereupon, after a long period of pause the Prophet (pbuh) said, "If you would like to release her prisoner and repay her money, you could do so." They all said, "Yes, Messenger of Allah." Then, the Prophet (pbuh) took a pledge from Abu al-As to release Zaynab because Islam put a barrier between them."

Having returned to Makka, he was received by his wife with a great joy. But he was very sad. He told her that he came to bid farewel to her. Zanyab sadly asked, "Where and why are you going?" He replied, "You not me. I promised your father to return you to him, because Islam put a barrier between us and I never broke a promise."

Zaynab set out from Makka to Madina but some people from the Quraish tribe obstructed her. They terrified her until she fell off her camel while she was pregnant. She had a miscarriage. She went back to Makka under the shelter of Abu al--As. When she recovered, he took her accompanied with his brother, Kinana ibn ar-Rabei’ until he brought her to the Prophet (pbuh).

As years passed, Zaynab lived with her father in Madina hoping that Allah open the heart of Abu al-As to Islam. After six years, Abu al-As knocked Zaynab's door. She did not believe her eyes when she found him at her door. She was about to approach him for greeting but she stopped suddenly to check his belief.