Muhammad's Marriages - Revision history

Asmith: fixing language

2026-04-24T05:52:31Z

fixing language

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:52, 24 April 2026
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	In addition, Hafsah was one of only four Muslim women in the whole of Medina who knew how to write.<ref>Baladhuri, ''Conquest of the Lands'', cited in [http://english.sahartv.ir/media/pdf/The%20Unschooled%20Prophet.pdf/ Mutahhari, S. A. M. ''The Unschooled Prophet''. Tehran: Islamic Propagation Organization.] There were also eleven Muslim men who could write. The other seven names on Baladhuri’s list are of people who did not convert to Islam until after Hafsah had married Muhammad.</ref> If she had wanted (or been permitted, for Umar was famously opposed to this line of work for women) to set herself up as a career woman, she would have been in demand as a clerk.		In addition, Hafsah was one of only four Muslim women in the whole of Medina who knew how to write.<ref>Baladhuri, ''Conquest of the Lands'', cited in [http://english.sahartv.ir/media/pdf/The%20Unschooled%20Prophet.pdf/ Mutahhari, S. A. M. ''The Unschooled Prophet''. Tehran: Islamic Propagation Organization.] There were also eleven Muslim men who could write. The other seven names on Baladhuri’s list are of people who did not convert to Islam until after Hafsah had married Muhammad.</ref> If she had wanted (or been permitted, for Umar was famously opposed to this line of work for women) to set herself up as a career woman, she would have been in demand as a clerk.

	By contrast, Muhammad could not afford to ~~keep~~ his wives. Aisha claimed that they never ate bread for more than three successive days, and sometimes the family did not light a fire for a month on end because they had nothing to cook but lived off dates and water.<ref>{{Muslim\|\|2970c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970d\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970b\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970e\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2974\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976b\|reference}}.</ref> By marrying Muhammad, it then seems, Hafsah was accepting a significant cut in her standard of living. In fact, Umar later warned her never to ask her husband, Muhammad, for money: “If you need something, come and ask me.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5191\|darussalam}}.</ref>		By contrast, Muhammad could not afford to support his wives. Aisha claimed that they never ate bread for more than three successive days, and sometimes the family did not light a fire for a month on end because they had nothing to cook but lived off dates and water.<ref>{{Muslim\|\|2970c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970d\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970b\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970e\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2974\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976b\|reference}}.</ref> By marrying Muhammad, it then seems, Hafsah was accepting a significant cut in her standard of living. In fact, Umar later warned her never to ask her husband, Muhammad, for money: “If you need something, come and ask me.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5191\|darussalam}}.</ref>

	However, Muhammad did not marry Hafsah for her father’s money, for it seems he already had virtually unhampered access to Umar's wealth, since Umar was one of the most willing to spend his wealth "in the way of Allah".<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 216.</ref>		However, Muhammad did not marry Hafsah for her father’s money, for it seems he already had virtually unhampered access to Umar's wealth, since Umar was one of the most willing to spend his wealth "in the way of Allah".<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 216.</ref>
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	The massacre of the Banu Qurayzah had substantially fattened the Muslim treasury, a large portion of which Muhammad was personally entitled to,<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> and he thus would have had no trouble maintaining his family at this point. Although Aisha claims, as noted above, that he failed to be consistent in doing this even hereafter, he would have, at least in theory and per his own law, had the means to support his wives. It is also nearly certain that the Muslim men no longer outnumbered the women, as the acquisition of hundreds of female slaves<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> should have amply redressed the gender imbalance.		The massacre of the Banu Qurayzah had substantially fattened the Muslim treasury, a large portion of which Muhammad was personally entitled to,<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> and he thus would have had no trouble maintaining his family at this point. Although Aisha claims, as noted above, that he failed to be consistent in doing this even hereafter, he would have, at least in theory and per his own law, had the means to support his wives. It is also nearly certain that the Muslim men no longer outnumbered the women, as the acquisition of hundreds of female slaves<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> should have amply redressed the gender imbalance.

	There is therefore at least some justification for the claim that, from 627 onwards, Muhammad was in a position to provide a home for the “excess women” who were unable to marry monogamously. This does not, tho, ~~mean~~ that all the following women were necessarily destitute or suffering.		There is therefore at least some justification for the claim that, from 627 onwards, Muhammad was in a position to provide a home for the “excess women” who were unable to marry monogamously. This does not, tho, necessarily imply

			that all the following women were necessarily destitute or suffering.

	====Juwayriyah bint Al-Harith====		====Juwayriyah bint Al-Harith====
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	}}</ref>		}}</ref>

	Prophet [[Muhammad]] taught others to "run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion."<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, '(There is) no 'Adwa (no contagious disease is conveyed without Allah's permission). nor is there any bad omen (from birds), nor is there any Hamah, nor is there any bad omen in the month of Safar, and one should run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion ''" - {{Bukhari\|\|\|5707\|darussalam}}</ref> He also put an end to two of his relationships with women on account of them being afflicted with leprosy. Amra bint Yazid, whom he divorced in circa 631 before consummating the [[marriage]] when he saw she had symptoms.<ref>Ibn Ishaq, cited in Guillaume, A. (1960). ''New Light on the Life of Muhammad'', p. 55. Manchester: Manchester University Press</ref><ref>Ibn Hisham note 918 (here he has apparently confused her with Asma bint Al-Numan).</ref><ref>{{Tabari\|9\|p. 139}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 187-188}}.</ref><ref>Bewley/Saad 8:100-101.</ref> And Jamra bint Al-Harith, whose own father informed Muhammad in circa 631 that she suffered from the disease, whereupon Muhammad broke off the engagement (later chroniclers claim her father lied but arrived home only to find that she really had been afflicted with leprosy).<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 140-141}}</ref>		The Prophet [[Muhammad]] taught others to "run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion."<ref>"''Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, '(There is) no 'Adwa (no contagious disease is conveyed without Allah's permission). nor is there any bad omen (from birds), nor is there any Hamah, nor is there any bad omen in the month of Safar, and one should run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion ''" - {{Bukhari\|\|\|5707\|darussalam}}</ref> He also put an end to two of his relationships with women on account of them being afflicted with leprosy. Amra bint Yazid, whom he divorced in circa 631 before consummating the [[marriage]] when he saw she had symptoms.<ref>Ibn Ishaq, cited in Guillaume, A. (1960). ''New Light on the Life of Muhammad'', p. 55. Manchester: Manchester University Press</ref><ref>Ibn Hisham note 918 (here he has apparently confused her with Asma bint Al-Numan).</ref><ref>{{Tabari\|9\|p. 139}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 187-188}}.</ref><ref>Bewley/Saad 8:100-101.</ref> And Jamra bint Al-Harith, whose own father informed Muhammad in circa 631 that she suffered from the disease, whereupon Muhammad broke off the engagement (later chroniclers claim her father lied but arrived home only to find that she really had been afflicted with leprosy).<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 140-141}}</ref>

	==See Also==		==See Also==

Asmith: fixing language

2026-04-20T04:32:15Z

fixing language

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	According to Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet [[Muhammad]] used to visit all eleven of his wives in one night; but he could manage this, as he had the [[Sex\|sexual]] prowess of thirty men.<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|268\|darussalam}}. See also {{Bukhari\|\|\|5215\|darussalam}}.</ref> The historian Al-[[Tabari]] calculated that Muhammad [[Marriage\|married]] a total of fifteen [[Islam and Women\|women]], though only ever eleven at one time; and two of these marriages were never consummated.<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 126-127}}.</ref> This tally of fifteen does not include at least four concubines. ~~According to Merriam-Webster, a~~ concubine is “a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married”, and has a “social status in a household below that of a wife.”<ref>[{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concubine\|2=2011-09-28}} Concubine] – Merriam-Webster, accessed September 28, 2011</ref> All of Muhammad’s concubines were his [[Slavery\|slaves]]. Al-Tabari also excludes from the fifteen several other women with whom Muhammad had some kind of marriage contract but who, due to legal technicalities, never became full wives. It is fairly certain, however, that none of these legally-stifled unions was ever consummated. They were the cultural equivalent of a broken engagement. Finally, there were several other women whom Muhammad wished to marry, or whom he was invited to marry, but for various reasons he did not.		According to Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet [[Muhammad]] used to visit all eleven of his wives in one night; but he could manage this, as he had the [[Sex\|sexual]] prowess of thirty men.<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|268\|darussalam}}. See also {{Bukhari\|\|\|5215\|darussalam}}.</ref> The historian Al-[[Tabari]] calculated that Muhammad [[Marriage\|married]] a total of fifteen [[Islam and Women\|women]], though only ever eleven at one time; and two of these marriages were never consummated.<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 126-127}}.</ref> This tally of fifteen does not include at least four concubines. A concubine is “a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married”, and has a “social status in a household below that of a wife.”<ref>[{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concubine\|2=2011-09-28}} Concubine] – Merriam-Webster, accessed September 28, 2011</ref> All of Muhammad’s concubines were his [[Slavery\|slaves]]. Al-Tabari also excludes from the fifteen several other women with whom Muhammad had some kind of marriage contract but who, due to legal technicalities, never became full wives. It is fairly certain, however, that none of these legally-stifled unions was ever consummated. They were the cultural equivalent of a broken engagement. Finally, there were several other women whom Muhammad wished to marry, or whom he was invited to marry, but for various reasons he did not.

	==List of Wives and Concubines of the Prophet==		==List of Wives and Concubines of the Prophet==
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	\|Married		\|Married
	\|July 628 (following a proxy wedding earlier in the year)		\|July 628 (following a proxy wedding earlier in the year)
	\|She was a daughter of Abu Sufyan, the Meccan chief who led the ~~resistance~~ against Muhammad, but she had been a teenaged convert to Islam. This marriage offset some of Muhammad's political humiliation in the Treaty of Hudaybiya by demonstrating that he could command the loyalty of his adversary's own daughter. Ramlah was devoted to Muhammad and quick to pick quarrels with people who were not.		\|She was a daughter of Abu Sufyan, the Meccan chief who led the Meccans against Muhammad, but she had been a teenaged convert to Islam. This marriage offset some of Muhammad's political humiliation in the Treaty of Hudaybiya by demonstrating that he could command the loyalty of his adversary's own daughter. Ramlah was devoted to Muhammad and quick to pick quarrels with people who were not.
	\|		\|
	*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 146, 527-528, 529, 543.</ref>		*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 146, 527-528, 529, 543.</ref>
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	\|Qutayla (Habla) bint Qays		\|Qutayla (Habla) bint Qays
	\|May 632.		\|May 632.
	\|She was a cousin of Asma bint Al-Numan, and the Yemenites sent her to Muhammad as a substitute bride. He signed the marriage contract but he died before Qutayla arrived in Medina. As soon as she heard that he was dead, she ~~apostated~~ from Islam. Soon afterwards she married an Arab chief who was a leader in the Apostasy Wars.		\|She was a cousin of Asma bint Al-Numan, and the Yemenites sent her to Muhammad as a substitute bride. He signed the marriage contract but he died before Qutayla arrived in Medina. As soon as she heard that he was dead, she apostasized from Islam. Soon afterwards she married an Arab chief who was a leader in the Apostasy Wars.
	\|		\|
	*Al-Tabari<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 138-139}}.</ref>		*Al-Tabari<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 138-139}}.</ref>
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	\|Queen Asiya of Egypt		\|Queen Asiya of Egypt
	\|The Afterlife.		\|The Afterlife.
	\|According to some sources of varying authenticity, Muhammad said that Allah had wedded him in Heaven to the Queen Asiya. Authentic sources quote Muhammad describing her as one of 'the four perfect women'.<ref>{{Quran-range\|28\|4\|13}}; {{Quran\|66\|11}}.</ref><ref>{{Muslim\|\|2431\|reference}}.</ref> The Qur'an tells how Asiya rescued the infant Moses from the evil Pharaoh, and how Pharaoh later tortured his wife to death for her monotheism. The scriptures describing their ~~marraige~~ state that Asiya's palace in Heaven was on the other side of Khadijah's.		\|According to some sources of varying authenticity, Muhammad said that Allah had wedded him in Heaven to the Queen Asiya. Authentic sources quote Muhammad describing her as one of 'the four perfect women'.<ref>{{Quran-range\|28\|4\|13}}; {{Quran\|66\|11}}.</ref><ref>{{Muslim\|\|2431\|reference}}.</ref> The Qur'an tells how Asiya rescued the infant Moses from the evil Pharaoh, and how Pharaoh later tortured his wife to death for her monotheism. The scriptures describing their marriage state that Asiya's palace in Heaven was on the other side of Khadijah's.
	\|		\|
	*Ibn Kathir<ref name=":0" /><ref>[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1298&Itemid=122/ Ibn Kathir, ''Tafsir''] on {{Quran\|66\|11}}.</ref>		*Ibn Kathir<ref name=":0" /><ref>[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1298&Itemid=122/ Ibn Kathir, ''Tafsir''] on {{Quran\|66\|11}}.</ref>
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	\|Kulthum bint Amram		\|Kulthum bint Amram
	\|The Afterlife.		\|The Afterlife.
	\|~~Muhammad originally believed~~ that Maryam the sister of Moses and Maryam the mother of Jesus were one and the same. When he realized his mistake, he (perhaps over-)corrected himself by stating that Moses' sister was not named Maryam. He renamed her Kulthum ("Chubby Cheeks") and, according to some sources of varying authenticity, said that Allah had wedded him to her in heaven. However, he did not say that she was a perfect woman or that she lived next to Khadijah.<ref>{{Quran-range\|19\|27\|28}}.</ref><ref>{{Muslim\|\|2135\|reference}}.</ref>		\|The Quran may believe that Maryam the sister of Moses and Maryam the mother of Jesus were one and the same. When he realized his mistake, Muhammad (perhaps over-)corrected himself by stating that Moses' sister was not named Maryam. He renamed her Kulthum ("Chubby Cheeks") and, according to some sources of varying authenticity, said that Allah had wedded him to her in heaven. However, he did not say that she was a perfect woman or that she lived next to Khadijah.<ref>{{Quran-range\|19\|27\|28}}.</ref><ref>{{Muslim\|\|2135\|reference}}.</ref>
	\|		\|
	*Ibn Kathir<ref name=":0" />		*Ibn Kathir<ref name=":0" />

Asmith at 03:01, 12 December 2025

2025-12-12T03:01:54Z

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	According to Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet [[Muhammad]] used to visit all eleven of his wives in one night; but he could manage this, as he had the [[Sex\|sexual]] prowess of thirty men.<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|268\|darussalam}}. See also {{Bukhari\|\|\|5215\|darussalam}}.</ref> The historian Al-[[Tabari]] calculated that Muhammad [[Marriage\|married]] a total of fifteen [[Islam and Women\|women]], though only ever eleven at one time; and two of these marriages were never consummated.<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 126-127}}.</ref> This tally of fifteen does not include at least four concubines. According to Merriam-Webster, a concubine is “a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married”, and has a “social status in a household below that of a wife.”<ref>[{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concubine\|2=2011-09-28}} Concubine] – Merriam-Webster, accessed September 28, 2011</ref> All of Muhammad’s concubines were his [[Slavery\|slaves]]. Al-Tabari also excludes from the fifteen several other women with whom Muhammad had some kind of marriage contract but who, due to legal technicalities, never became full wives. It is fairly certain, however, that none of these legally-stifled unions was ever consummated. They were the cultural equivalent of a broken engagement. Finally, there were several other women whom Muhammad wished to marry, or whom he was invited to marry, but for various reasons he did not.		According to Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet [[Muhammad]] used to visit all eleven of his wives in one night; but he could manage this, as he had the [[Sex\|sexual]] prowess of thirty men.<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|268\|darussalam}}. See also {{Bukhari\|\|\|5215\|darussalam}}.</ref> The historian Al-[[Tabari]] calculated that Muhammad [[Marriage\|married]] a total of fifteen [[Islam and Women\|women]], though only ever eleven at one time; and two of these marriages were never consummated.<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|pp. 126-127}}.</ref> This tally of fifteen does not include at least four concubines. According to Merriam-Webster, a concubine is “a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married”, and has a “social status in a household below that of a wife.”<ref>[{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concubine\|2=2011-09-28}} Concubine] – Merriam-Webster, accessed September 28, 2011</ref> All of Muhammad’s concubines were his [[Slavery\|slaves]]. Al-Tabari also excludes from the fifteen several other women with whom Muhammad had some kind of marriage contract but who, due to legal technicalities, never became full wives. It is fairly certain, however, that none of these legally-stifled unions was ever consummated. They were the cultural equivalent of a broken engagement. Finally, there were several other women whom Muhammad wished to marry, or whom he was invited to marry, but for various reasons he did not.

Asmith: /* Maymunah bint Al-Harith */ cleaning up language

2025-12-11T16:51:27Z

Maymunah bint Al-Harith: cleaning up language

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 11 December 2025
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	The idea that Safiyah “needed” to marry Muhammad because her high rank meant “it would be inappropriate for her to be assigned to anyone other than the Prophet”<ref>[http://www.ispi-usa.org/muhammad/appendix2.html/ “The Prophet’s Marriages and Wives”] in Akhter, J. (2001). ''The Seven Phases of Prophet Muhammad’s Life''. Chicago: IPSI.</ref> seems to assume that Safiyah “needed” to be taken prisoner, unlike the remainder of khaybar folk who were allowed to remain free. Furthermore, Muhammad did not need to take prisoners, for he had already won the war and taken control of the city. The Jews in Khaybar had no further means to fight back, had surrendered unconditionally, and Muhammad did not need hostages to ensure their future cooperation.		The idea that Safiyah “needed” to marry Muhammad because her high rank meant “it would be inappropriate for her to be assigned to anyone other than the Prophet”<ref>[http://www.ispi-usa.org/muhammad/appendix2.html/ “The Prophet’s Marriages and Wives”] in Akhter, J. (2001). ''The Seven Phases of Prophet Muhammad’s Life''. Chicago: IPSI.</ref> seems to assume that Safiyah “needed” to be taken prisoner, unlike the remainder of khaybar folk who were allowed to remain free. Furthermore, Muhammad did not need to take prisoners, for he had already won the war and taken control of the city. The Jews in Khaybar had no further means to fight back, had surrendered unconditionally, and Muhammad did not need hostages to ensure their future cooperation.

	Once Muhammad had decided that Safiyah was his hostage, he had to feed and shelter her, and there was no welfare-related reason to marry her; he had to provide for her material needs regardless. The idea, as some put it, that “this marriage protected her from humiliation”<ref>[http://www.al-islam.org/muhammad-yasin-jibouri/8.htm/ Al-Jibouri, Y. T. “Marriages of the Prophet” in ''Muhammad''. Qum, Iran: Ansariyan Publications.]</ref> shows a strange perception of what is “humiliating”. Safiyah might not have liked to be a domestic slave or a commoner’s concubine, but she surely would have found these options less humiliating than being married to the man who had just killed her husband. Safiyah’s husband was not, as is sometimes claimed, “killed during the battle of Khaybar”;<ref>E.g., [http://www.al-islam.org/muhammad-yasin-jibouri/8.htm/ Jibouri].</ref> rather, his torture and execution had been specifically ordered by Muhammad and, this too, ''after'' the declaration of truce.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 515.</ref>		Once Muhammad had decided that Safiyah was his hostage, he had to feed and shelter her, and there was no welfare-related reason to marry her; he had to provide for her material needs regardless. The idea, as some put it, that “this marriage protected her from humiliation”<ref>[http://www.al-islam.org/muhammad-yasin-jibouri/8.htm/ Al-Jibouri, Y. T. “Marriages of the Prophet” in ''Muhammad''. Qum, Iran: Ansariyan Publications.]</ref> shows a strange perception of what is “humiliating”. Safiyah might not have liked to be a domestic slave or a commoner’s concubine, but she surely would have found these options less humiliating than being married to the man who had just killed her husband. Safiyah’s husband was not, as is sometimes claimed, “killed during the battle of Khaybar”;<ref>E.g., [http://www.al-islam.org/muhammad-yasin-jibouri/8.htm/ Jibouri].</ref> rather, his torture and execution had been specifically ordered by Muhammad in order to find his buried gold and, this too, ''after'' the declaration of truce.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 515.</ref>

	Muhammad’s family – not only his wives and descendants, but his extended family too – lived off the wealth of Khaybar for the rest of their lives.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 521-523.</ref> Since Safiyah represented the leading family of Khaybar,<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 437-438.</ref> there is a very real sense in which Muhammad’s whole clan was living at her expense. Muhammad was not providing for Safiyah; it was she and her people, rather, who provided for him and his family.		Muhammad’s family – not only his wives and descendants, but his extended family too – lived off the wealth of Khaybar for the rest of their lives.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 521-523.</ref> Since Safiyah represented the leading family of Khaybar,<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 437-438.</ref> there is a very real sense in which Muhammad’s whole clan was living at her expense. Muhammad was not providing for Safiyah; it was she and her people, rather, who provided for him and his family.
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	====Maymunah bint Al-Harith====		====Maymunah bint Al-Harith====

	Maymunah was never poor; she was born into the ~~bourgeois~~ Hilal tribe.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918; {{Tabari\|9\|p. 135}}.</ref> After her husband died, she became the house guest of her married sister, Lubabah.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:94: “Al-‘Abbas ibn al-Muttalib married her to him. He took care of her affairs.”</ref> Lubabah’s husband was Muhammad’s uncle, Abbas ibn Abdulmuttalib, who was “one of the richest of the Banu Hashim.”<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 114.</ref> He “used to go often to the Yaman to buy aromatics and sell them during the fairs”<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 113.</ref> and was also apparently a banker: “he had a great deal of money scattered among the people.”<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 309-310.</ref> Maymunah offered to marry Muhammad without taking any dower.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:97: “Maymuna bint al-Harith was the woman who gave herself to the Messenger of Allah.” Also: “‘Amra was asked whether Maymuna was the one who gave herself to the Messenger of Allah. She said, ‘The Messenger of Allah married her for 500 ''dirhams'' and the guardian for her marriage was al-‘Abbas ibn al-Muttalib.’”</ref> Muhammad agreed, but this was not acceptable to Abbas, who unexpectedly provided Maymunah with a dower anyway.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918 says the dower was 400 ''dirhams'', like that of all Muhammad’s other wives. Bewley/Saad 8:97 says it was 500 ''dirhams'', in keeping with Ibn Saad’s other traditions that Muhammad’s wives received 12½ ounces of silver. The higher sum is from the later histories, suggesting that the chroniclers adjusted it for inflation.</ref>		Maymunah was never poor; she was born into the relatively affluent Hilal tribe.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918; {{Tabari\|9\|p. 135}}.</ref> After her husband died, she became the house guest of her married sister, Lubabah.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:94: “Al-‘Abbas ibn al-Muttalib married her to him. He took care of her affairs.”</ref> Lubabah’s husband was Muhammad’s uncle, Abbas ibn Abdulmuttalib, who was “one of the richest of the Banu Hashim.”<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 114.</ref> He “used to go often to the Yaman to buy aromatics and sell them during the fairs”<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 113.</ref> and was also apparently a banker: “he had a great deal of money scattered among the people.”<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 309-310.</ref> Maymunah offered to marry Muhammad without taking any dower.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:97: “Maymuna bint al-Harith was the woman who gave herself to the Messenger of Allah.” Also: “‘Amra was asked whether Maymuna was the one who gave herself to the Messenger of Allah. She said, ‘The Messenger of Allah married her for 500 ''dirhams'' and the guardian for her marriage was al-‘Abbas ibn al-Muttalib.’”</ref> Muhammad agreed, but this was not acceptable to Abbas, who unexpectedly provided Maymunah with a dower anyway.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918 says the dower was 400 ''dirhams'', like that of all Muhammad’s other wives. Bewley/Saad 8:97 says it was 500 ''dirhams'', in keeping with Ibn Saad’s other traditions that Muhammad’s wives received 12½ ounces of silver. The higher sum is from the later histories, suggesting that the chroniclers adjusted it for inflation.</ref>

	It has never been entirely clear why Muhammad married Maymunah. What is clear, however, is that she was not poor or homeless and so was not in need of any form of rescuing.		It has never been entirely clear why Muhammad married Maymunah. What is clear, however, is that she was not poor or homeless and so was not in need of any form of rescuing.

Lightyears at 00:39, 8 December 2025

2025-12-08T00:39:03Z

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	\|Married		\|Married
	\|January 628.		\|January 628.
	\|The daughter of an Arab chief, she was taken prisoner when Muhammad attacked her tribe. ~~Muhammad did always marry his war-captives, but~~ Aisha claimed that Juwayriyah was so beautiful that men always fell in love with her at first sight.		\|The daughter of an Arab chief, she was taken prisoner when Muhammad attacked her tribe. Aisha claimed that Juwayriyah was so beautiful that men always fell in love with her at first sight.
	\|		\|
	*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 490-493.</ref>		*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 490-493.</ref>

Asmith: /* Muhammad's Marriages and Poor Widows */ cleaning up language

2025-12-05T23:05:46Z

Muhammad's Marriages and Poor Widows: cleaning up language

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:05, 5 December 2025
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	==Muhammad's Marriages and Poor Widows==		==Muhammad's Marriages and Poor Widows==
	~~It is~~ often ~~suggested~~ that [[Muhammad]]’s wives were, for the most part, poor widows whom he [[marriage\|married]] to save from a life of destitution. This ~~article investigates~~ the ~~plausibility of such a perspective~~.		Modern [[Du'aah]] and others attempting to defend Muhammad's image often suggest that [[Muhammad]]’s wives were, for the most part, poor widows whom he [[marriage\|married]] to save from a life of destitution. This assertion lacks evidence in the extant primary sources and only appears with frequency in modern times.

	The Prophet Muhammad himself never claimed that he married women out of compassion for their poverty. On the contrary, he asserted that he, and men in general, chose their wives for four basic motives: for their money, for their family connections, for their beauty and for their piety. He added: “So you should marry the pious woman or you will be a loser.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5090\|darussalam}}.</ref> The suggestion that Muhammad’s many marriages were motivated by a charitable concern for the welfare of widows is not found in the early sources. This assertion only appears in modern sources.		The Prophet Muhammad himself never claimed that he married women out of compassion for their poverty. On the contrary, he asserted that he, and men in general, chose their wives for four basic motives: for their money, for their family connections, for their beauty and for their piety. He added: “So you should marry the pious woman or you will be a loser.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5090\|darussalam}}.</ref> The suggestion that Muhammad’s many marriages were motivated by a charitable concern for the welfare of widows is not found in the early sources. This assertion only appears in modern sources.
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	As for Muhammad’s other wives, it is true that most of them were widowed, divorced or both. Only Mariyah,<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|193-195}}; {{Tabari\|9\|pp. 137, 141}}.</ref> Mulaykah<ref>{{Tabari\|8\|p. 187}}.</ref> and Fatima<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|136-139}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 186-188}}.</ref> are not recorded as having been previously married.<ref>Since so little is known about these women, it cannot be asserted that they were ''not'' widows. We only state here that no previous marriages are ''recorded''.</ref>		As for Muhammad’s other wives, it is true that most of them were widowed, divorced or both. Only Mariyah,<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|193-195}}; {{Tabari\|9\|pp. 137, 141}}.</ref> Mulaykah<ref>{{Tabari\|8\|p. 187}}.</ref> and Fatima<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|136-139}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 186-188}}.</ref> are not recorded as having been previously married.<ref>Since so little is known about these women, it cannot be asserted that they were ''not'' widows. We only state here that no previous marriages are ''recorded''.</ref>

	Whether these widows were “poor” depends on how one defines poverty. Some may not consider a slave to be poor if the slave serves in the household of the wealthy, for while Islamic slaves had no political rights or autonomy, they were usually better fed than the poorest free persons. Others may not consider a Bedouin to be poor, even while Bedouins eat daily, simply because they neglect and thus have few material possessions. Moreover, no matter how poor a widow might be, some might argue that she fails to truly qualify as “destitute” so long as she has living relatives who can guarantee that they will take care of her.

	Finally, in addition to considering whether Muhammad's individual wives were persons, one must also consider whether Muhammad was himself a man of means who would have been able to well provide for the women whom he married. For, if Muhammad was not himself a reliable source of welfare, then it would be equally difficult to maintain that his marriages were a form of financial relief for his wives, who may, one thinks, just as easily, have encountered great wealth elsewhere among the muslims.

	===The Wives===		===The Wives===
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	Hafsah’s first husband, Khunays ibn Hudhayfa, died of battle-wounds in mid-624.<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|4005\|darussalam}}. Bewley/Saad 8:56: "He died, leaving her a widow after the ''Hijra'' when the Prophet arrived from Badr."</ref> He seems to have been a man of humble means who relied on the patronage of Hafsah’s father Umar.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 218.</ref> This suggests that his death did not make much change to Hafsah’s economic situation. Before, during, and after her marriage, she was dependent on her father. Umar claimed to be “one of the richest of the Quraysh”<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 216.</ref> and thus should have had no financial difficulty maintaining his daughter.		Hafsah’s first husband, Khunays ibn Hudhayfa, died of battle-wounds in mid-624.<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|4005\|darussalam}}. Bewley/Saad 8:56: "He died, leaving her a widow after the ''Hijra'' when the Prophet arrived from Badr."</ref> He seems to have been a man of humble means who relied on the patronage of Hafsah’s father Umar.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 218.</ref> This suggests that his death did not make much change to Hafsah’s economic situation. Before, during, and after her marriage, she was dependent on her father. Umar claimed to be “one of the richest of the Quraysh”<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 216.</ref> and thus should have had no financial difficulty maintaining his daughter.

	In addition, Hafsah was one of only four Muslim women in the whole of Medina who knew how to write.<ref>Baladhuri, ''Conquest of the Lands'', cited in [http://english.sahartv.ir/media/pdf/The%20Unschooled%20Prophet.pdf/ Mutahhari, S. A. M. ''The Unschooled Prophet''. Tehran: Islamic Propagation Organization.] There were also eleven Muslim men who could write. The other seven names on Baladhuri’s list are of people who did not convert to Islam until after Hafsah had married Muhammad.</ref> If she had wanted (or been permitted, for Umar was famously opposed to this line of ~~female~~ work) to set herself up as a career woman, she would have been in demand as a clerk.		In addition, Hafsah was one of only four Muslim women in the whole of Medina who knew how to write.<ref>Baladhuri, ''Conquest of the Lands'', cited in [http://english.sahartv.ir/media/pdf/The%20Unschooled%20Prophet.pdf/ Mutahhari, S. A. M. ''The Unschooled Prophet''. Tehran: Islamic Propagation Organization.] There were also eleven Muslim men who could write. The other seven names on Baladhuri’s list are of people who did not convert to Islam until after Hafsah had married Muhammad.</ref> If she had wanted (or been permitted, for Umar was famously opposed to this line of work for women) to set herself up as a career woman, she would have been in demand as a clerk.

	By contrast, Muhammad could not afford to keep his wives. Aisha claimed that they never ate bread for more than three successive days, and sometimes the family did not light a fire for a month on end because they had nothing to cook but lived off dates and water.<ref>{{Muslim\|\|2970c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970d\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970b\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970e\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2974\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976b\|reference}}.</ref> By marrying Muhammad, it then seems, Hafsah was accepting a significant cut in her standard of living. In fact, Umar later warned her never to ask her husband, Muhammad, for money: “If you need something, come and ask me.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5191\|darussalam}}.</ref>		By contrast, Muhammad could not afford to keep his wives. Aisha claimed that they never ate bread for more than three successive days, and sometimes the family did not light a fire for a month on end because they had nothing to cook but lived off dates and water.<ref>{{Muslim\|\|2970c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970d\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970b\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2970e\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2972c\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2974\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976a\|reference}}; {{Muslim\|\|2976b\|reference}}.</ref> By marrying Muhammad, it then seems, Hafsah was accepting a significant cut in her standard of living. In fact, Umar later warned her never to ask her husband, Muhammad, for money: “If you need something, come and ask me.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5191\|darussalam}}.</ref>
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	Zaynab had plenty of family in Medina. At her funeral, just eight months after her marriage to Muhammad, “three of her brothers” were present.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:82.</ref> Her deceased husband Ubayda also had two brothers, Al-Tufayl and Al-Husayn, who had accompanied him to Medina<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 218.</ref> and had fought with him at Badr.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 328.</ref> Furthermore, Zaynab was on good terms with her pagan relatives in Mecca. Her cousin Qubaysa ibn Amr made the journey out to [[Medina]] so that he could arrange her marriage to Muhammad,<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918.</ref> even though this could have easily been done by one of her brothers in Medina.		Zaynab had plenty of family in Medina. At her funeral, just eight months after her marriage to Muhammad, “three of her brothers” were present.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:82.</ref> Her deceased husband Ubayda also had two brothers, Al-Tufayl and Al-Husayn, who had accompanied him to Medina<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 218.</ref> and had fought with him at Badr.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 328.</ref> Furthermore, Zaynab was on good terms with her pagan relatives in Mecca. Her cousin Qubaysa ibn Amr made the journey out to [[Medina]] so that he could arrange her marriage to Muhammad,<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918.</ref> even though this could have easily been done by one of her brothers in Medina.

	Zaynab was from the wealthy Hilal tribe,<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918; {{Tabari\|9\|p. 138}}.</ref> and it seems that her branch of the family had as much money as any of them. This family, it appears, also never stopped supporting her; and hence, there was always someone to ensure her subsistence. As ~~we have seen~~, Muhammad was ~~impecunious~~ and could not afford to feed his wives and even perhaps himself properly.		Zaynab was from the wealthy Hilal tribe,<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918; {{Tabari\|9\|p. 138}}.</ref> and it seems that her branch of the family had as much money as any of them. This family, it appears, also never stopped supporting her; and hence, there was always someone to ensure her subsistence. As related above about Hafsah, Muhammad was not wealthy at this time and could not afford to feed his wives and even perhaps himself properly.

	Whatever may have been Zaynab's motive in marrying Muhammad, it seems unlikely that money played any sort of important role. Indeed, once again, it appears more plausible that Muhammad's financial circumstances would have~~, through~~ his ~~strengthened~~ link to Zaynab's family, improved as a result of this marriage.		Whatever may have been Zaynab's motive in marrying Muhammad, it seems unlikely that money played any sort of important role. Indeed, once again, it appears more plausible that Muhammad's financial lacking circumstances would have played a role. By strengthening his link to Zaynab's family, improved as a result of this marriage.

	====Hind (Umm Salama) bint Abi Umayya====		====Hind (Umm Salama) bint Abi Umayya====
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	====Zaynab bint Jahsh====		====Zaynab bint Jahsh====

	Zaynab bint Jahsh was a career-woman. She was a tanner and leather-worker who was well able to support herself.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:74, 77.</ref> She lived under the protection of her two brothers, Abu Ahmad and Abdullah.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 214-215.</ref> She had no need to remarry unless she chose. It is even said that she proposed marriage to Muhammad and that she offered not to take any ~~dower~~.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918.</ref>		Zaynab bint Jahsh was a career-woman. She was a tanner and leather-worker who was well able to support herself.<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:74, 77.</ref> She lived under the protection of her two brothers, Abu Ahmad and Abdullah.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 214-215.</ref> She had no need to remarry unless she chose. It is even said that she proposed marriage to Muhammad and that she offered not to take any mahr.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918.</ref>

	If this story is true, Muhammad declined the offer. He told Zaynab that she had a “duty” to marry his son Zayd because that was what “Allah and his apostle” wished for her.<ref>{{Quran\|33\|36}}.</ref> At first she refused, and was supported in her refusal by her brother Abdullah.<ref>[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=1&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=33&tAyahNo=36&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2/ Jalalayn's ''Tafsir'' on Q33:36.]</ref> However, when Abdullah was killed in the battle of Uhud,<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 607.</ref> at about this time, Zaynab was talked into marrying Zayd.<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|p. 180}}.</ref> Zayd divorced her within two years, after which, according to Muhammad, Allah commanded her to marry Muhammad himself.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918; {{Bukhari\|\|\|7420\|darussalam}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 180-181}}.</ref>		If this story is true, Muhammad declined the offer. He told Zaynab that she had a “duty” to marry his son Zayd because that was what “Allah and his apostle” wished for her.<ref>{{Quran\|33\|36}}.</ref> At first she refused, and was supported in her refusal by her brother Abdullah.<ref>[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=1&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=33&tAyahNo=36&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2/ Jalalayn's ''Tafsir'' on Q33:36.]</ref> However, when Abdullah was killed in the battle of Uhud,<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 607.</ref> at about this time, Zaynab was talked into marrying Zayd.<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|p. 180}}.</ref> Zayd divorced her within two years, after which, according to Muhammad, Allah commanded her to marry Muhammad himself.<ref>Ibn Hisham note 918; {{Bukhari\|\|\|7420\|darussalam}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 180-181}}.</ref>
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	====Rayhanah bint Zayd====		====Rayhanah bint Zayd====

	Rayhanah was a member of the [[Jews\|Jewish]] [[Banu Qurayza\|Qurayza]] tribe,<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|pp. 164-165}}.</ref> whom Muhammad besieged in 627. When the tribe surrendered, Muhammad determined that the Banu Qurayzah~~'s every adult male~~ should be decapitated, every woman and child, [[Slavery\|enslaved]], and all the tribe's property forfeit to the Islamic state.<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 689-692.</ref> It is thus true that Rayhanah was widowed, impoverished, and a slave, but only because Muhammad had her husband executed and proceeded to appropriate her wealth and person. Indeed, at the very moment Muhammad approved of Banu Qurayzah's brutal sentence, Rayhanah had become Muhammad's legal property~~. Already, one sees how difficult it would be to maintain that Muhammad's acquisition of Rayhanah was the product of his financial liberality, let alone benevolence~~.		Rayhanah was a member of the [[Jews\|Jewish]] [[Banu Qurayza\|Qurayza]] tribe,<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|pp. 164-165}}.</ref> whom Muhammad besieged in 627. When the tribe surrendered, Muhammad determined that every adult male of the Banu Qurayzah should be decapitated and every woman and child [[Slavery\|enslaved]], and all the tribe's property forfeit to the Islamic state.<ref>Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 689-692.</ref> It is thus true that Rayhanah was widowed, impoverished, and a slave, but only because Muhammad had her husband executed and proceeded to appropriate her wealth and person. Indeed, at the very moment Muhammad approved of Banu Qurayzah's brutal sentence, Rayhanah had become Muhammad's legal property.

	Indeed, if Muhammad had made enquiries about how to help the Qurayza slaves, he would have quickly realized that Rayhanah was among the least destitute, for she was only a ~~Quraziya~~ by marriage. By birth she belonged to the Nadir tribe,<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|pp. 164-165}}.</ref> who were currently residing in the date-farms of Khaybar.<ref> Guillaume/Ishaq 437-438.</ref> Thus, if Muhammad sought to provide for Rayhanah, he could have released her to return her own family. The Nadir were making every effort to assist the surviving Qurayza. In fact, they searched the Arabian slave-markets and they bought back as many Qurayza women and children as they found there.<ref>Cited in [http://www.kister.huji.ac.il/content/massacre-ban%C5%AB-quray%E1%BA%93-re-examination-tradition?lang=english/ Kister, M. J. (1986). The Massacre of the Banū Qurayẓa: A Re-Examination of a Tradition. ''Jerusalem Studies in Arabic and Islam, 8'', 61-96.]</ref> Since Rayhanah was a ~~Nadriya~~ by birth, her tribe would certainly have ransomed her too if only she had been for sale.		Indeed, if Muhammad had made enquiries about how to help the Qurayza slaves, he would have quickly realized that Rayhanah was among the least destitute, for she was only a member of the Banu Qurayzah by marriage. By birth she belonged to the Nadir tribe,<ref>{{Tabari\|39\|pp. 164-165}}.</ref> who were currently residing in the date-farms of Khaybar.<ref> Guillaume/Ishaq 437-438.</ref> Thus, if Muhammad sought to provide for Rayhanah, he could have released her to return her own family. The Nadir were making every effort to assist the surviving Qurayza. In fact, they searched the Arabian slave-markets and they bought back as many Qurayza women and children as they found there.<ref>Cited in [http://www.kister.huji.ac.il/content/massacre-ban%C5%AB-quray%E1%BA%93-re-examination-tradition?lang=english/ Kister, M. J. (1986). The Massacre of the Banū Qurayẓa: A Re-Examination of a Tradition. ''Jerusalem Studies in Arabic and Islam, 8'', 61-96.]</ref> Since Rayhanah was a of Banu Nadir by birth, her tribe would certainly have ransomed her too if only she had been for sale.

	But Muhammad had selected Rayhanah for himself. Even while she showed “repugnance towards Islam” and refused to marry him, he kept her enslaved as his personal concubine.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref>		But Muhammad had selected Rayhanah for himself. Even while she showed “repugnance towards Islam” and refused to marry him, he kept her enslaved as his personal concubine.<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref>
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	The massacre of the Banu Qurayzah had substantially fattened the Muslim treasury, a large portion of which Muhammad was personally entitled to,<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> and he thus would have had no trouble maintaining his family at this point. Although Aisha claims, as noted above, that he failed to be consistent in doing this even hereafter, he would have, at least in theory and per his own law, had the means to support his wives. It is also nearly certain that the Muslim men no longer outnumbered the women, as the acquisition of hundreds of female slaves<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> should have amply redressed the gender imbalance.		The massacre of the Banu Qurayzah had substantially fattened the Muslim treasury, a large portion of which Muhammad was personally entitled to,<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> and he thus would have had no trouble maintaining his family at this point. Although Aisha claims, as noted above, that he failed to be consistent in doing this even hereafter, he would have, at least in theory and per his own law, had the means to support his wives. It is also nearly certain that the Muslim men no longer outnumbered the women, as the acquisition of hundreds of female slaves<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 466.</ref> should have amply redressed the gender imbalance.

	There is therefore at least some justification for the claim that, from 627 onwards, Muhammad was in a position to provide a home for the “excess women” who were unable to marry monogamously. ~~What remains to be established~~, ~~however~~, ~~is whether or not~~ the ~~particular~~ women ~~whom he married~~ were ~~the ones who would have been otherwise left~~ destitute.		There is therefore at least some justification for the claim that, from 627 onwards, Muhammad was in a position to provide a home for the “excess women” who were unable to marry monogamously. This does not, tho, mean that all the following women were necessarily destitute or suffering.

	====Juwayriyah bint Al-Harith====		====Juwayriyah bint Al-Harith====

Asmith: /* Wives of the Prophet */

2025-12-05T05:30:06Z

Wives of the Prophet

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:30, 5 December 2025
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	===Wives of the Prophet===		===Wives of the Prophet===

	~~The despite~~ the injunction of the Qur'an to only take 4 women as wives, according to the [[sira]] literature Muhammad took far more wives than this number. This table lists the women		Despite the injunction of the Qur'an to only take 4 women as wives, according to the [[sira]] literature Muhammad took far more wives than this number. This table lists the women

	{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;"		{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
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	\|Married		\|Married
	\|Contracted May 620 but first consummated in April or May 623.		\|Contracted May 620 but first consummated in April or May 623.
	\|She was the daughter of Muhammad's best friend and head evangelist Abu Bakr. Muhammad selected the six-year-old Aisha in preference to her teenaged sister, and she remained his favourite wife. She contributed a major body of information to Islamic law and history. The paedophilic aspect of this relationship has institutionalised such marriages within ~~Islam~~.		\|She was the daughter of Muhammad's best friend and head evangelist Abu Bakr. Muhammad selected the six-year-old Aisha in preference to her teenaged sister, and she remained his favourite wife. She contributed a major body of information to Islamic law and history. The paedophilic aspect of this relationship has institutionalised such marriages within Islamic law.
	\|		\|
	*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 116, 223, 279-280, 311, 457, 464-465, 468, 493-499, 522, 535-536, 544, 649-650, 667, 678-688.</ref>		*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 116, 223, 279-280, 311, 457, 464-465, 468, 493-499, 522, 535-536, 544, 649-650, 667, 678-688.</ref>
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	\|Married		\|Married
	\|January 628.		\|January 628.
	\|The daughter of an Arab chief, she was taken prisoner when Muhammad attacked her tribe. Muhammad did ~~not make a habit of marrying~~ his war-captives, but Aisha claimed that Juwayriyah was so beautiful that men always fell in love with her at first sight.		\|The daughter of an Arab chief, she was taken prisoner when Muhammad attacked her tribe. Muhammad did always marry his war-captives, but Aisha claimed that Juwayriyah was so beautiful that men always fell in love with her at first sight.
	\|		\|
	*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 490-493.</ref>		*Ibn Ishaq<ref>Guillaume/Ishaq 490-493.</ref>
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	It is often suggested that [[Muhammad]]’s wives were, for the most part, poor widows whom he [[marriage\|married]] to save from a life of destitution. This article investigates the plausibility of such a perspective.		It is often suggested that [[Muhammad]]’s wives were, for the most part, poor widows whom he [[marriage\|married]] to save from a life of destitution. This article investigates the plausibility of such a perspective.

	Prophet Muhammad himself never claimed that he married women out of compassion for their poverty. On the contrary, he asserted that he, and men in general, chose their wives for four basic motives: for their money, for their family connections, for their beauty and for their piety. He added: “So you should marry the pious woman or you will be a loser.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5090\|darussalam}}.</ref> The suggestion that Muhammad’s many marriages were motivated by a charitable concern for the welfare of widows is not found in the early sources. This ~~theory seems to have been devised by a few~~ modern ~~historians and then uncritically accepted by others~~.		The Prophet Muhammad himself never claimed that he married women out of compassion for their poverty. On the contrary, he asserted that he, and men in general, chose their wives for four basic motives: for their money, for their family connections, for their beauty and for their piety. He added: “So you should marry the pious woman or you will be a loser.”<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5090\|darussalam}}.</ref> The suggestion that Muhammad’s many marriages were motivated by a charitable concern for the welfare of widows is not found in the early sources. This assertion only appears in modern sources.

	~~Nevertheless~~, the widely held view that “Muhammad married poor widows to provide them with a home” is not supported by the available historical evidence from Islamic sources.		As such, the widely held view that “Muhammad married poor widows to provide them with a home” is not supported by the available historical evidence from Islamic sources.

	{{Quote\|Ali, M. M. (1924, 1993). ''Muhammad the Prophet'', pp. 192-193. Columbus, Ohio: The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at Islam Lahore.\|The perpetual state of war created disparity between the male and female elements of society. Husbands having fallen on the field of battle, their widows had to be provided for … This is the reason that [Muhammad] himself took so many women to be his wives during the period when war was raging. Nearly all of his wives were widows.}}		{{Quote\|Ali, M. M. (1924, 1993). ''Muhammad the Prophet'', pp. 192-193. Columbus, Ohio: The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at Islam Lahore.\|The perpetual state of war created disparity between the male and female elements of society. Husbands having fallen on the field of battle, their widows had to be provided for … This is the reason that [Muhammad] himself took so many women to be his wives during the period when war was raging. Nearly all of his wives were widows.}}

Lightyears at 20:54, 12 November 2025

2025-11-12T20:54:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:54, 12 November 2025
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	\|Mary, mother of Jesus		\|Mary, mother of Jesus
	\|The Afterlife.		\|The Afterlife.
	\|According to some sources of varying authenticity, Muhammad said that Allah had wedded him in Heaven to the Virgin Mary. Authentic sources quote Muhammad describing her as one of 'the four perfect women'.<ref>{{Quran-range\|3\|33\|51}}; {{Quran-range\|19\|16\|40}}; {{Quran\|21\|91}}; {{Quran\|66\|12}}.</ref><ref>~~[http://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=55&translator=1&start=91&number=633/ Sahih Bukhari 4:55:642].~~ {{Bukhari\|5\|58\|~~163~~}}.</ref><ref>{{Muslim\|\|2430\|reference}}.</ref> The Qur'an refers several times to Mary, praising her chastity and affirming the virgin birth of Jesus. The scriptures describing their marraige state that she lived in a beautiful jewelled palace in Paradise next to Khadijah's.		\|According to some sources of varying authenticity, Muhammad said that Allah had wedded him in Heaven to the Virgin Mary. Authentic sources quote Muhammad describing her as one of 'the four perfect women'.<ref>{{Quran-range\|3\|33\|51}}; {{Quran-range\|19\|16\|40}}; {{Quran\|21\|91}}; {{Quran\|66\|12}}.</ref><ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|3432\|darussalam}}</ref><ref>{{Muslim\|\|2430\|reference}}.</ref> The Qur'an refers several times to Mary, praising her chastity and affirming the virgin birth of Jesus. The scriptures describing their marraige state that she lived in a beautiful jewelled palace in Paradise next to Khadijah's.
	\|		\|
	*Ibn Kathir<ref name=":0">{{Citation\|title=al-Bidaya wal-Nihayah\|author=Ibn Kathir\|trans_title=From the Beginning to the End\|url=https://app.turath.io/book/4445\|publisher=Maktabah al-Shamilah\|volume=2\|pages=431}}</ref>		*Ibn Kathir<ref name=":0">{{Citation\|title=al-Bidaya wal-Nihayah\|author=Ibn Kathir\|trans_title=From the Beginning to the End\|url=https://app.turath.io/book/4445\|publisher=Maktabah al-Shamilah\|volume=2\|pages=431}}</ref>

Lightyears: Automated script replacing USC-MSA hadith numbering system for Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud

2025-11-12T20:46:25Z

Automated script replacing USC-MSA hadith numbering system for Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud

Show changes

CPO675: /* External Links */ Have added in some funny but well referenced/factual YouTube video's on Muhammads questionable marriages

2024-06-08T11:15:57Z

External Links: Have added in some funny but well referenced/factual YouTube video's on Muhammads questionable marriages

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:15, 8 June 2024
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	==External Links==		==External Links==
	[http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2021/07/how-many-wives-did-prophet-muhammad-have.html How Many Wives Did the Prophet Muhammad Have?] - ''David Wood, Answering Muslims''
			* [http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2021/07/how-many-wives-did-prophet-muhammad-have.html How Many Wives Did the Prophet Muhammad Have?] - ''David Wood, Answering Muslims''
			* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER9EqK4A-LY Prophet Muhammad and Zainab and Zaid ❤️Islamic Love Triangle] - ''YouTube video by Nabi Asli''
			* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB7Lk58HGXc Prophet Muhammad and Hafsa and Maria Qubtia - Islamic Love Triangle] - ''YouTube video by Nabi Asli''

	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist\|30em}}		{{Reflist\|30em}}