Ummahatul, momineen – The Believers’ Mothers

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Mecca in 570 CE. He is the final prophet in Islam, revered by Muslims worldwide. His family includes his parents, grandparents, and wives, who played significant roles in his life and the early Islamic community.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had 11 wives, who are honored as the mothers of believers. Below are the names, details, and brief biographies of all 11 wives and a concubine of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), highlighting their significant contributions and roles in early Islamic history.

Khadija bint Khuwaylid (رضي الله عنها)

Khadija bint Khuwaylid (رضي الله عنها) married Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) when she was 40 and he was 25. She was the first person to embrace Islam. Together, they had six children.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was 25 years old at the time of his first marriage. Khadija (رضي الله عنها) was 40 years old when they got married. Khadija (رضي الله عنها) died at the age of 65, 25 years after their marriage. Khadija (رضي الله عنها) is buried in Jannat al Mualla in Makkah.

Khadija bint Khuwaylid some facts (رضي الله عنها)

1. Khadija (رضي الله عنها) was a successful businesswoman

People who think Islam is a backward religion should know that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) married a successful businesswoman 1400 years ago. Khadija bint Khuwailid (RA) was born into a merchant family. Her father was one of the most respected and successful merchants in Makkah. After her father’s death, she took over the business and continued trading.

2. A proposal to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w

Islam values the feelings between men and women within its boundaries, as shown by Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) began working for Khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA). Impressed by his honesty, she proposed marriage, which the Holy Prophet accepted.

3. She married at 40

In today’s Muslim society, women often feel uncomfortable getting married at 40, but this is not the lesson taught by Islam or Khadija (RA). Khadija (RA) married Prophet Muhammad when she was 40 and he was 25. They had six children together; 1. Qasim ibn Muhammad. 2. Zainab (RA) 3. Ruqayyah (RA) 4. Umm Kulthoom (RA) 5. Fatimah (RA) 6. Abdullah (RA)

4. Khadija (r.a) is the first Muslim

During the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the revelations began, and Khadija (RA) was the first person to believe in him and accept Islam.

5. She dedicated all her wealth to Islam.

A person’s financial situation is a test, and Khadija رضي الله عنها used a significant portion of her earnings to help the poor, orphans, widows, and the sick.

Sawda bint Zam’an (رضي الله عنها)

Sawda bint Zam’an رضي الله عنها was the second wife of Prophet Muhammad. He married her after the death of Khadija رضي الله عنها. Right after their marriage, Sawda رضي الله عنها took care of Prophet Muhammad’s four daughters. Prophet Muhammad was 50 years old at the time of this marriage, and Sawda رضي الله عنها was also 50 years old. Prophet Muhammad passed away 13 years after their marriage. Sawda رضي الله عنها died at the age of 75 and is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنها)

Aisha Bint Abu Bakr رضي الله عنها was the third and youngest wife of Prophet Muhammad. She was the daughter of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنها, the first caliph of Islam. It is believed that Aisha رضي الله عنها married Prophet Muhammad at the age of 7 but lived with her parents until she reached puberty. Aisha رضي الله عنها was the only virgin wife of Prophet Muhammad and narrated over 2,200 hadiths. Prophet Muhammad was 54 years old when he married Aisha رضي الله عنها, and she was 7 years old. Prophet Muhammad passed away 9 years after their marriage. Aisha رضي الله عنها died at the age of 65 and is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Hafsa bint Umar (رضي الله عنها)

Hafsa bint Umar رضي الله عنها was the fourth wife of Prophet Muhammad. She was the daughter of Umar bin Khattab رضي الله عنها, the second caliph of Islam. She narrated around 60 hadiths from Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad was 56 years old when he married Hafsa رضي الله عنها, and she was 20 years old. Prophet Muhammad passed away 7 years after their marriage. Hafsa رضي الله عنها died at the age of 60 and is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Zainab bint Khuzayma (رضي الله عنها)

Zainab bint Khuzayma رضي الله عنها was the fifth wife of Prophet Muhammad, whom he married one month after his fourth marriage. She was known for her generosity and was called the mother of beggars even before she embraced Islam. Prophet Muhammad was 56 years old when he married Zainab رضي الله عنها, and she was 29 years old. Zainab رضي الله عنها passed away just 8 months after their marriage and is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Hind bint Abi Ummaya (رضي الله عنها)

Hind bint Abi Ummaya, also known as Umm Salama, was the sixth and oldest wife of Prophet Muhammad. She was one of the first people to convert to Islam and was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and active participation in society. Prophet Muhammad was 56 years old when he married Umm Salama رضي الله عنها, and she was 32 years old. Umm Salama رضي الله عنها passed away at the age of 80 and is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Zainab bint Jahsh (رضي الله عنها)

Zainab bint Jahsh رضي الله عنها was the first cousin and seventh wife of Prophet Muhammad. She was previously married to Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنها, the adopted son of Prophet Muhammad.

At that time, Arabs considered adopted sons as their real sons with inheritance rights. To challenge this custom, Prophet Muhammad was instructed to marry Zainab, as mentioned in Al-Ahzab 33:37.

• Prophet Muhammad’s age at the time of the seventh marriage: 58 years.
• Age of Zainab رضي الله عنها at the time of marriage: 37 years.
• Zainab رضي الله عنها passed away at the age of 51.
• Zainab رضي الله عنها is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Juwarriya bint Al-Harith (رضي الله عنها)

Juwarriya bint Al-Harith رضي الله عنها was the eighth wife of Prophet Muhammad.ﷺ When the Muslims defeated Banu al-Mustaliq, they captured Juwarriya, the daughter of the chief. She was raised in luxury and possessed the elegance, intelligence, and beauty of a princess.

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ age at the time of his eighth marriage: 59 years.
• Juwarriya رضي الله عنها’s age at the time of marriage: 20 years.
• Juwarriya رضي الله عنها passed away at the age of 50.
• Juwarriya رضي الله عنها is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Ramla bint Abu Sufyan (رضي الله عنها)

Ramla bint Abu Sufyan رضي الله عنها, also known as Umm Habiba, was the ninth wife of Prophet Muhammad. ﷺ Umm Habiba رضي الله عنها accepted Islam early on, despite her father Abu Sufyan being a strong opponent of Prophet Muhammad. ﷺ

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ age at the time of the ninth marriage: 59 years.
• Ramla رضي الله عنها’s age at the time of marriage: 34 years.
• Ramla رضي الله عنها passed away at the age of 70.
• Ramla رضي الله عنها is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Safiyya bint Huyeiy Ibn Akhtab (رضي الله عنها)

After the Battle of Khyber, Muslims defeated several Jewish tribes, including Banu Nadir. Safiyya رضي الله عنها was the daughter of the chief of the Banu Nadir tribe. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ married her to strengthen Muslim influence over the Jewish tribe. Safiyya bint Huyeiy Ibn Akhtab رضي الله عنها was the tenth wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ age at the time of the tenth marriage: 60 years.
• Safiyya رضي الله عنها’s age at the time of marriage: 19 years.
• Safiyya رضي الله عنها passed away at the age of 60.
• Safiyya رضي الله عنها is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.

Maymoona bint Al-Harith (رضي الله عنها)

As part of the signing of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ went to Makkah to perform Umrah, Maymoona bint Al-Harith رضي الله عنها proposed marriage to him, and he accepted. She became the eleventh and last wife of Prophet Muhammad.ﷺ

She was originally named Barra, but Prophet Muhammad ﷺ renamed her Maymoona, meaning “The Blessed one.” She was the last of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s wives to pass away, in 61 Hijri.

• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s age at the time of the eleventh marriage: 60 years.
• Maymoona رضي الله عنها’s age at the time of marriage: 35 years.
• Maymoona رضي الله عنها passed away at the age of 80.

Maria Qibtiyya (رضي الله عنها)

Maria Qibtiyya رضي الله عنها was an Egyptian Coptic Christian concubine who was sent as a gift from Muqawqis. Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ﷺ, a son of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was born to Maria Qibtiyya. However, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not marry her, so she is not considered one of the Mothers of the Believers.

Why did Prophet Muhammad ﷺ marry 11 times?

Although Muslims are allowed to have up to 4 wives at a time, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ married 11 times. Have you ever wondered why? I believe 9 out of his 11 marriages were conducted for these reasons:

• Marrying the widows of his companions to support them.
• Forming strong family bonds, for example, by marrying the daughters of Abu Bakr and Umar bin Khattab.
• Spreading Islam by uniting different tribes through marriage.
• Increasing the number of reliable sources to share details of his private life.