Mothers of the faithful

HAZRAT KHADIJA (RA)

o Hazrat Khadija was born in Makkah in the house of Khawalid bin Asad.
o She was one of the richest and noblest ladies of Makkah and was known as Tahira (the pure).
o She was widowed twice.
o Her first husband was Atiq bin Aid with whom she had a daughter.
o After the death of Atiq, Hazrat Khadija was married to Abu Hala and had two children from him, Hind and Hala.
o She was engaged in trade and was looking for an honest person to look after her trade.
o She employed him (PBUH) and sent him to Syria with her slave Maisra.
o On their return, Maisra spoke highly of his character which impressed Hazrat Khadija (RA) and she sent her
friend, Nafisa with a marriage proposal which said: ‘O son of my uncle! I like you because of our relationship
and because of your reputation among your people and your trustworthiness, good character and
truthfulness.’
o He (PBUH) accepted the proposal after taking the consent of his uncle.
o Hazrat Khadija (RA) was the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) first wife.
o At the time of marriage (595 A.D), Holy Prophet (PBUH) was 25 years old and Hazrat Khadija was 40.
o While he (PBUH) was married to her she was his only wife, and she was also the mother of his only surviving
children.
o They had six children. Four daughters, Zainab (RA), Ruqqiya (RA), Umm Kulthum (RA), Fatima (RA), & two sons
Qasim and Abdullah who died in infancy.
o The marriage was successful, and she (RA) gave the Holy Prophet (PBUH) her wealth for trade and made him
(PBUH) independent.
o Many commentators believe that the Quran refers to this when it says:’ And he found you in need, and made
you independent.’ (Al Duha 93.8)
o After the first revelation, when he (PBUH) returned home in shock and panic, Hazrat Khadija (RA) comforted
and reassured the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the following words, ‘Never, by Allah, Allah will never
disgrace you as you keep good relations with you kith and kin, you help the poor and destitute, you serve your
guests generously and assist those deserving ones afflicted by calamity.’ She also took him (PBUH) to her
cousin Warqa bin Naufil who was able to explain to him what had happened.
o She was also the first to accept Islam at his hand and learn all the prayers. She helped him (PBUH) a lot
during the early years of prophethood.
o She remained by his side throughout the years of hardship and persecution in Makkah and also suffered the
deprivations of the boycott with him and his followers.
o Hazrat Khadija (RA) spent her wealth generously, for the cause and support of Islam.
o Hazrat Khadija (RA) died in 619 AD, leaving the Holy Prophet (PBUH) without her strong support as an early
Muslim puts it:’ With Hazrat Khadija’s death, troubles followed fast on each other’s heels, for she had been
faithful to support him in Islam, and he used to tell her all of his problems.’
o Her memory remained fresh with Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), for years afterwards. One day while he was in
Hazrat Aisha’s (RA) apartment in Madina, he turned pale and trembled when a woman called from outside the
door. It was Hazrat Khadija’s (RA) sister, whose voice was just like her own.
o Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: ’She gave me home, when I was alone; she placed her wealth at my disposal when I
was poor; and she believed in me when whole of the world had rejected me.’
o Hazrat Khadija (RA) was buried in Makkah.
HAZRAT AISHA (RA)

o Hazrat Aisha (RA) was Hazrat Muhammad’s (PBUH) third wife. [though some think he married her before
Hazrat Sawdah (RA) was the favorite of his years later.]
o She was the daughter of his companion, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), and one of the reasons for marrying her was
to strengthen ties with his close friend.
o Hazrat Aisha (RA) knew the Holy Prophet (PBUH) since childhood as he was a daily visitor to her father’s
house.
o According to most authorities, she was six years old when she was married to him, though the couple did not
become man and wife until she was older. [Some authors say she was older than this when she married the
Holy Prophet (PBUH)]
o In about 2 A.H/624 A.D, Hazrat Aisha (RA) went to live in the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s house in Madina, where
sometimes he (PBUH) would join in the games she played with her toys.
o Throughout the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s life, Hazrat Aisha held a special place in his affections and was looked
on as his principal wife. Her beauty and lively character attracted him to her, above his other wives.
o However, on one occasion, she caused him some embarrassment. This was when she was accompanying him
on an expedition and got lost while looking for a necklace she had dropped. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)’s party
moved on without noticing her absence, and she was eventually brought back to Madina by a young man who
came across her as she sat waiting in the desert.
o People in Madina started gossiping about this, and Abdullah bin Ubay, a leader among the Munafiqun (The
Hypocrites), made a great deal of the incident.
o But there was no firm evidence against Hazrat Aisha (RA) and then the Holy Prophet (PBUH) received a
revelation declaring that she was innocent, and her enemies were wrong, particularly this man ‘Abdullah’;
‘Why did they not bring four witnesses to prove it? When they have not brought the witnesses, such men in
the sight of Allah, are themselves liars.’ (Al-Nur 24.11-13)
o The Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) continuing love and special affection for Hazrat Aisha (RA) are clear from his
desire to be taken to her apartment when he was dying.
o She nursed him there in his last days, [many say he died in her lap, though many say he died in Hazrat Ali
(RA)’s lap], and it was there that he (PBUH) was buried.
o According to general view, Hazrat Aisha (RA) was 18 when she became a widow.
o During the caliphates of her father Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and Hazrat Umer (RA), Hazrat Aisha lived quietly.
o She showed her disagreement with some of Hazrat Usman (RA)’s policies, but she opposed killing him. In the
caliphate of Hazrat Ali (RA), she was the leader among those who pressed for the punishment of Hazrat
Usman (RA)’s assassins. Finally, she raised an army (along with Hazrat Talha (RA) and Hazrat Zubair (RA), and
confronted Hazrat Ali (RA) in the Battle of Camel (656 A.D). Hazrat Aisha (RA)’s side lost in the battle, and she
was conducted back, with all due respect, to Madina, where she continued to live for the rest of her life.
o She played no further parts in public affairs, but her views were often sought by leading Muslims, and her
approval was regarded as important.
o This favorite wife of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is remembered for her wisdom and learning, as well as her
beauty.
o In particular, she was regarded as an expert on Arab poetry and History.
o And she related 2210 Ahadith of The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
o Ahmed ibn Hanbal devotes a section of his Musnad to Ahadith recorded on her authority and about 300 of her
Ahadith are included by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim in their Sahih’s.
o Hazrat Aisha (RA) died in 58 A.H/678 A.D and was buried in Madina.
HAZRAT UMM-E-SALMA (RA)

o Hazrat Umm Salma and her first husband, Abdullah bin Abdul Asad (also known as Abu Salama), were early
converts to Islam.
o Migrated to Abyssinia
o Migrated to Madina
o Her husband Abu Salama was wounded in the Battle of Uhud (625 AD).
o Soon after this, on another campaign, his wounds reopened, and he died.
o Had children from her first marriage.
o Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umer offered her marriage, but she rejected their proposals. Holy Prophet
(PBUH) offered her marriage, and she accepted the proposal. They were married in 4 A.H.
o She memorized the Holy Quran by heart.
o At Hudaibiya (628 A.D), the Holy Prophet (PBUH) told the companions to offer sacrifice, but they didn’t do it,
then Umm Salma told The Prophet (PBUH) to sacrifice his animals first then they would follow him. The Holy
Prophet (PBUH) followed her advice. This shows that he was always open to advice from women.
o She outlived all the other wives of Prophet (PBUH).
o She died at the age of 84.
HAZRAT HAFSA (RA)

o Daughter of Hazrat Umer (RA).

o First married to Hazrat Khunais bin Huzaifa.
o Migrated to Abyssinia
o Migrated to Madina
o Husband martyred in Battle of Badr (624 A.D).
o Holy Prophet (PBUH) married her in 625 A.D in order to strengthen his ties with his friend, Hazrat Umer (RA).
o She was quick tempered like her father. This can be seen by the fact that she asked Hazrat Muhammad
(PBUH) not to use honey because his mouth did not smell good. However, Allah ordered to continue the use of
honey (Verse 1; Surah-al-Tehreem)
o After his (PBUH) death, the copy of The Holy Quran which was made during the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)
was passed on to Hazrat Umer (RA), and then Hazrat Hafsa. She kept this copy of the Quran safe, and so it
became known as Musaf-e-Hafsa. Hazrat Usman (RA) used this copy for standardizing the Holy Quran during
his time.
o Memorized the Holy Quran by heart.
o Narrated 60 Ahadith.
o Died in 45 A.H/60 years old.
HAZRAT SAWDAH (RA)

o Early convert
o First married to Hazrat Sukran bin Amir.
o Migrated to Abyssinia
o Later returned to Makkah.
o Some time later her husband died so she lived with her elderly father Zama ‘a.
o Had children from her first marriage.
o He (PBUH) married her one month after of Hazrat Khadija’s death (10th year of Prophethood).
o Second wife.
o People were surprised to see this marriage as she was widowed & older.
 o Looked after Prophet (PBUH)’s children e.g., when Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s house in Madina was built, she
migrated with his daughters, Hazrat Umm Kulthum (RA) and Hazrat Fatima (RA).
o Welcomed other wives into the household.
o Was close to Hazrat Aisha (RA), and in the end, gave up her time with Holy Prophet (PBUH) to Hazrat Aisha
(RA).
o Known for generosity.
o She was so obedient to Holy Prophet (PBUH) that she did not leave her house to offer even Hajj or Umrah as
Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked his wives at the time of Hajj to live in retirement after him (PBUH).
o Died in 674 A.D.
Q. WHY ARE THE WIVES OF THE HOLY PROPHET (PBUH) CALLED THE MOTHERS OF THE FAITHFUL? [4]

The wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) are called the ‘Mothers of the Faithful’ as the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is like a
‘spiritual father’ for his (PBUH)’s followers (Muslims), therefore, his (PBUH)’s wives are their ‘spiritual mothers’.
They have been forbidden from remarrying other Muslims after the Holy Prophet (PBUH) which also proves that they
are Mother of the Muslims, as mother cannot marry their sons.
They are role models for other Muslims in general and Muslim ladies in particular due to their piety and devotion to
Islam; therefore, they are like Mothers of the Muslims as all mothers are like teachers to their children.
Lastly, this exalted status has been granted to them by Allah Himself in the following words; ‘The Prophet is closer to
the believers than their own selves and their wives are their mother. ‘Thus, this Quranic declaration shows that the
Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s wives must be respected.
Q. WHAT DO THE LIVES OF THESE WIVES TEACH MUSLIMS ABOUT MARRIAGE?

o Piety is a more important factor than age or whether someone has been married before.
o Women can play a vital role in society and should not be deprived of education.
o Compassion and fairness should be practiced.
o Consulting and seeking their advice.
o Support for the marriage partner.
o Obedience to husbands.