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Zaynab bint Jahsh

Zaynab bint Jahsh was Muhammad’s seventh wife.[1]

Her original name had been ‘‘Barra’’ (“virtuous”) but Muhammad renamed her ‘‘Zaynab’’ (literally “father’s ornament”, but also the name of a flower).[2]

Background

Her mother was Muhammad’s aunt, so Muhammad had known her all her life. Zaynab was an early convert to Islam and she was among those who emigrated to Medina.[3]

First Marriage

Second Marriage

Zaynab and her brother Abdullah did not want her to marry Zayd.[4]

Islam teaches that a woman should not be forced into marriage.[5]

Zaynab was “a perfect-looking woman,” fair-skinned and shapely.[6]

“When Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, it is not fitting for a Believer to decide on any alternatives; anyone who disobeys Allah and His Messenger is certainly on a very wrong Path.”[7]

Abdullah was killed at the Battle of Uhud.[8]

Zaynab married Zayd.[9]

Third Marriage

Muhammad came to visit Zayd. A gust of wind blew aside the hairskin curtain that served as his front door, giving Muhammad a full view of Zaynab dressed only in her shift. She pulled on an over-gown, advising Muhammad that Zayd was not at home but he was welcome to visit. Muhammad stood still, staring at Zaynab's movements, and repeating to himself, “Praise be to Allah, who turns around hearts!”[10]

His secret desire for his daughter-in-law is mentioned in the Qur’an: “Thou didst hide in thy mind what Allah was about to reveal.”[11] Ayesha said it was proof of Muhammad’s honesty that he did not delete this embarrassing verse from the Qur’an altogether.[12]

Zayd offered to divorce Zaynab so that Muhammad could marry her. Muhammad discouraged this[13]

Zaynab became aloof and haughty to Zayd, making remarks about his lowly birth and ugly face and shutting him out of the bedroom.[14]

Zayd divorced Zaynab.[15]

When men with more than four wives became Muslims, Muhammad made them divorce the extras, although they were allowed to choose which four they would keep.[16]

Having pledged not to divorce Sawda, Muhammad produced a new revelation from Allah that allowed him to marry as many women as he liked.[17]

The Arabs considered a daughter-in-law almost as taboo as a biological daughter. So Allah sent down another revelation that abolished adoption, therefore ruling that Zayd had never been his son and Zaynab had never been his daughter-in-law.[18]

On the same day Zaynab’s waiting-period ended, Muhammad fell into a prophetic trance, then announced to Ayesha: “Someone must go to tell Zaynab the good news! Allah from above has just married her to me!” Ayesha was “distressed by both immediate and potential troubles, having heard of Zaynab’s beauty.”[19]

Zayd was dispatched as messenger. He found Zaynab kneading bread, and her face was so radiant that he could not look at her while he delivered Allah’s message.[20]

Muhammad married Zaynab in late March 627 when he was 55 and she was about 37.[21]

The Qur’an refers to her story: “So when Zayd had done as he wished in divorcing her, We married her to you.”[22]

There was social criticism.[23]

Muhammad hosted for Zaynab the most lavish wedding banquet that he ever gave: he slaughtered a sheep and served a huge dish of date pudding. Seventy guests ate until they were stuffed and there was food left over.[24]

Two of the wedding guests sat around talking long after Muhammad gestured that the party was over. Allah sent down a revelation: “O Believers! Do not come to dinner in the Prophet’s houses without an invitation; do not arrive before the meal is ready, and do not sit around talking after you have eaten. This annoys the Prophet; he is too shy to ask you to leave, but Allah is not shy of telling the truth...”[25]

Relationship with Muhammad

Zaynab was second to Ayesha in Muhammad's affection.[26]

She was quick-tempered and devastatingly honest, but she was also quick to recover her good mood.[27]

She had creative flair and had always earned her living as a tanner, leather-worker, bead-piercer and dressmaker.[28]

She sold her products and giving away all the profits to charity.[29]

When Zaynab was tanning a hide, Muhammad came into her workroom and demanded sex immediately. Afterwards he explained that he had just been tempted by the sight of an attractive woman, but by using his wife, he had repelled the temptation.[30]

Muhammad looked through Zaynab's workroom door and frowned with disapproval when he saw that she was dyeing her clothes with red ochre. Zaynab understood the message, so she rinsed the garments until all the redness had run out.[31]

Co-Wives

Zaynab used to boast in front of her co-wives: “Your marriages were contracted by your families, but mine was contracted by Allah in the seven Heavens. I am closer kin to the Prophet than any of you, and my clan is the noblest of all the Quraysh.”[32]

Hind’s stepmother was Zaynab’s aunt.[33]

Aisha, Hafsah and Sawdah were a team, and so were Hind and Zaynab.[34]

When the Muslims wanted to give a gift of luxury food to their Prophet, they would wait until Aisha’s rostered day and bring the present to her room. In a condition of scarcity, this favouritism was resented, and the wives sent Hind to plead that such gifts be shared out equally among all of them. Muhammad told Hind not to bother him about it, and she had to apologise for offending him. The wives then sent in Fatima, to whom Muhammad frankly admitted that Aisha was his favourite, so she ought to love Aisha too. Next the wives sent Zaynab, who spoke bluntly and directly before launching a barrage of verbal abuse at Aisha. Aisha retaliated with such deadly malice that in the end Zaynab was utterly silenced. Muhammad was proud of Aisha and declared: “She is truly the daughter of Abu Bakr!”[35]

Muhammad did not believe that "equity" meant equal distributions of material goods. He made no attempt to distribute the food equally.

Narrated Urwa from Aisha: The wives of Allah’s Apostle were in two groups. One group consisted of Aisha, Hafsah, Safiyah and Sawdah; and the other group consisted of Umm Salamah and the other wives of Allah’s Apostle. The Muslims knew that Allah’s Apostle loved Aisha, so if any of them had a gift and wished to give to Allah’s Apostle, he would delay it, till Allah’s Apostle had come to Aisha’s home and then he would send his gift to Allah’s Apostle in her home. The group of Umm Salamah discussed the matter together and decided that Umm Salamah should request Allah’s Apostle to tell the people to send their gifts to him in whatever wife’s house he was. Umm Salamah told Allah’s Apostle of what they had said, but he did not reply. Then [the wives] asked Umm Salamah about it. She said, “He did not say anything to me.” They asked her to talk to him again. She talked to him again when she met him on her day, but he gave no reply. When they asked her, she replied that he had given no reply. They said to her, “Talk to him till he gives you a reply.” When it was her turn, she talked to him again. He then said to her, “Do not hurt me regarding Aisha, as the Divine Inspirations do not come to me on any of the beds except that of Ayesha.” On that Umm Salamah said, “I repent to Allah for hurting you.” Then the group of Umm Salamah called Fatima, the daughter of Allah’s Apostle, and sent her to Allah’s Apostle to say to him, “Your wives request to treat them and the daughter of Abu Bakr on equal terms.” Then Fatima conveyed the message to him. The Prophet said, “O my daughter! Don’t you love whom I love?” She replied in the affirmative and returned and told them of the situation. They requested her to go to him again but she refused. They then sent Zaynab bint Jahsh, who went to him and used harsh words saying, “Your wives request you to treat them and the daughter of Abu Quhafa’s son [Abu Bakr] on equal terms.” On that she raised her voice and abused Aisha to her face, so much so that Allah’s Apostle looked at Aisha to see whether she would retort. Aisha started replying to Zaynab till she silenced her. The Prophet then looked at Aisha and said, “She is truly the daughter of Abu Bakr.”
Sahih Bukhari 3:47:755.

This is what we learn from the Perfect Example for Humanity.

1. It was all right to love one wife more than the others.

2. It was all right to give one wife more food than the others.

3. It was all right for the wives to divide into two factions and compete against one another. (Umm Salamah and Zaynab were step-cousins and would have been friends from childhood. Aisha chose her allies for their low-threat factor: she knew that Muhammad did not love Sawdah and that Safiyah did not love Muhammad.)

4. It was not all right for Umm Salamah to ask Muhammad to use his scales and treat them fairly. She had to apologise for suggesting it.

5. It was all right for Fatima to be part of the domestic politics in terms of female/female relationships.

6. It was not all right for Fatima to disagree with her father. Once he was involved, she had to agree with him.

7. It was all right for the wives to abuse one another verbally. Muhammad cheered when Aisha won.1234567 (talk) 03:23, 14 June 2012 (PDT)

When Aisha was accused of adultery, Muhammad asked Zaynab if she knew anything incriminating against Aisha. Zaynab told Muhammad: “I will not lie. I have not heard or seen anything bad about Aisha. By Allah, I know only good about her.”

Zaynab's sister was flogged.[36]

Aisha afterwards respected Zaynab.[37]

Muhammad's favourite wives were Aisha, Zaynab, Hind and Hafsah, in that order.[38]

The Order of the Veil

When the guests at Zaynab’s wedding banquet finally left, Muhammad entered her house, but before his faithful page Anas had time to set foot across the threshold, Muhammad abruptly drew the curtain and proclaimed a revelation.[39]

There must always be a curtain between Muhammad’s wives and all other men. If the women left the house, they must wear veils.[40]

Omar went to spy on the outdoor toilets and he easily recognised Sawda because she was so tall. He shouted: “Caught you, Sawda! Anyone can recognise you – think of a new way to hide yourself when you go out.” Sawda complained to Muhammad, who produced a new revelation that gave his wives permission to go to the toilet.[41]

Only women, close relatives and slaves might penetrate the curtain.[42]

Muhammad warned the whole congregation that Allah did not accept the prayers of an unveiled woman.[43]

Muslim men were warned not to harass the respectable veiled women whom they might meet around town: the implication was that unveiled women were fair game.[44]

Islam

She was fervent in prayer.

She was loyal to her family.

She was generous in charity.

Widowhood

Death

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Ibn Hisham note 918.
  2. ↑ Bukhari 8:212; Abu Dawud 3:4935.
  3. ↑ Tabari 39:180.
  4. ↑ Q33:36; Tabari 39: 6-10, 180; ‘‘Tafsir Al-Jalalayn’’.
  5. ↑ Bukhari 62:67; 86:98.
  6. ↑ Qurtubi’s Commentary on Q33:37
  7. ↑ Q33:36.
  8. ↑ Guillaume/Ibn Ishaq 607. The exact date of Zaynab’s marriage to Zayd is not recorded.
  9. ↑ Ibn Hisham note 918; ‘‘Tafsir Al-Jalalayn’’.
  10. ↑ Tabari 39:181.
  11. ↑ Q33:37; Bukhari 60:310.
  12. ↑ Bukhari 93:516.
  13. ↑ Bukhari 93:516; Tabari 39:181.
  14. ↑ Tabari 8:2; Qurtubi on Q33:37-38.
  15. ↑ Bukhari 93:516; Tabari 39:181.
  16. ↑ Abu Dawud 12:2233; Tirmizi 945.
  17. ↑ Q33:50.
  18. ↑ Q33:37, 40; see also Ibn Kathir’s commentary.
  19. ↑ Tabari 39:181.
  20. ↑ Muslim 8:3330.
  21. ↑ Tabari 39:181.
  22. ↑ Ibn Hisham note 918; Bukhari 93:516; Muslim 1:338 f 358.
  23. ↑ Tabari 39:9
  24. ↑ Bukhari 62:84, 92, 97, 100; Muslim 8:3331, 3328; Bewley/Ibn Saad 8:76.
  25. ↑ Q33:53; Bukhari 60:314, 315, 316, 317; 62:84, 92; 65:375; 74:256, 288; Muslim 8:3333, 3334, 3336.
  26. ↑ Bukhari 48:829, 47:755; 48:829; 59:462; 60:274, 281; Muslim 31:5984; 37:6673; Ibn Saad, ‘‘Tabaqat’’ 8:166.
  27. ↑ Muslim 31:5984.
  28. ↑ Muslim 8:3240; Ibn Saad, ‘’Tabaqat’’ 8:81-82.
  29. ↑ Bewley/Ibn Saad 8:74, 77
  30. ↑ Muslim 8:3240. See also: Muslim 8:3241.
  31. ↑ Abu Dawud 32:4060.
  32. ↑ Bukhari 93:516, 517; Tabari 39:182.
  33. ↑ Al-Tabari, Vol. 39, p. 112.
  34. ↑ Sahih Bukhari 3:47:755; Sahih Muslim 31:5984; Sunan Abu Dawud 41:4880.
  35. ↑ Bukhari 47:755; Muslim 31:5984; Abu Dawud 41:4880.
  36. ↑ Bukhari 59:462. See also Bukhari 48:829; 60:274; 60:281; Muslim 37:6673.
  37. ↑ Muslim 31:5984.
  38. ↑ Bukhari 48:829, 47:755; 48:829; 59:462; 60:274, 281; Muslim 31:5984; 37:6673; Ibn Saad, Tabaqat 8:166; Zamakhshari’s commentary on Q33:51.
  39. ↑ Bukhari 62:95. See also Bukhari 74:255.
  40. ↑ Q 33:55, 59.
  41. ↑ Bukhari 60:318; Muslim 26:5395, 5396.
  42. ↑ Q33:53, 55.
  43. ↑ Abu Dawud 2:0641.
  44. ↑ Q33:59.
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