(1) Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid
Introduction:
• Even in her childhood, Hazrat Khadija had been known for her piety, and her great gifts of person and character.
• Her father was Khuwaylid bin Asad.
• Her mother was Fatima bint Za’idah.
First Marriage:
• She was first married to Abu Hala bin Zurarah.
• From this marriage, she bore her husband two sons:
(1) Hala (2) Hind
• Therefore, she is also known as Umm-e-Hind.
Second Marriage:
• After the death of her first husband, she married Ateeq bin Aidh Makhzumi.
• She had a daughter from this marriage, named Hindah.
Hazrat Khadija’s character:
• As a widow, Hazrat Khadija lived a chaste life. She went to the Kaaba and offered her prayers regularly.
• Hazrat Khadija was one of the richest, noblest, most respected ladies of Makkah.
• She had made a comparative study of religions and was well grounded in Christian and Jewish Scriptures.
Trade partnership with Muhammad (PBUH):
• Hazrat Khadija’s father had died in the Battle of Fijar and had left her a large fortune.
• She needed a man to lead her trade caravans to Syria and earn a profit for her.
• Extent of her trade: her caravans were on one side and the rest of Makkah’s on the other.
• Many nobles of Quraish recommended Muhammad (PBUH) for this task.
• Muhammad (PBUH) agreed to lead Khadija’s caravan to Syria. He would receive half of the profit from the trip.
• Started when Muhammad (PBUH) was 22 years old.
• On the journey to Syria, Khadija’s slave, Maysarah, accompanied Muhammad (PBUH).
• The trip was a stunning success.
• On return to Makkah, Maysarah greatly praised Muhammad (PBUH)’s virtues and trading skills.
Marriage of Muhammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Khadija:
• Slowly, Hazrat Khadija was more and more impressed by Muhammad (PBUH)’s character and piety. When he was 25, she sent a marriage proposal for Muhammad (PBUH) to his uncle, Abu Talib.
• After consultation with his elders, Muhammad (PBUH) agreed and married Hazrat Khadija.
• At this time, Muhammad (PBUH) was 25 and Hazrat Khadija was 40 years old.
• Importance of this marriage for Muhammad (PBUH):
• This marriage freed Muhammad (PBUH) from financial worries and he was finally able to devote his time to meditation.
• In Hazrat Khadija, Muhammad (PBUH) found a pious, loving and understanding companion.
• This marriage gave Hazrat Khadija the greatest happiness.
• She placed her loving companionship and her great fortune at Muhammad (PBUH)’s disposal.
• Muhammad (PBUH) too was very pleased. In his later years, he counted these pre-prophetic days with Hazrat Khadija as the happiest of his life.
Hazrat Khadija as a support for Muhammad (PBUH):
• When Muhammad (PBUH) met the angel Jibril for the first time on Mount Hira, he was shaken and afraid.
• At this critical time, Hazrat Khadija’s encouraging and soothing words helped greatly.
• Her love for Muhammad (PBUH) is shown by the fact that she did not sleep the night he was made a prophet, but kept mumbling prayers throughout.
• Next day, she took Muhammad (PBUH) to her cousin, Warqa bin Naufal.
• On return, convinced of Muhammad (PBUH)’s prophethood, she declared her faith in his mission.
• Thus, Hazrat Khadija was the first convert to Islam.
• After publicly declaring his prophethood, Muhammad (PBUH) was besieged at all sides by idolaters.
• During these days in Makkah, Hazrat Khadija fully supported her husband financially, with her influence and with encouragement and unflinching support.
Offsprings of Muhammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Khadija:
I. Hazrat Qasim
II. Hazrat Tahir alias Abdullah III. Hazrat Zaynab
IV. Hazrat Ruqayyah V. Hazrat Umm Kulthum VI. Hazrat Fatima
Death of Hazrat Khadija:
• Hazrat Khadija died on 11 Ramadan, 3 years before Hijrat.
• At the time of her death, she was 65 years old.
• Her death was a great blow to Muhammad (PBUH) and suddenly, everything seemed dark and dismal to him.
Muhammad (PBUH)’s gratitude and love for Hazrat Khadija:
• Muhammad (PBUH) never forgot Hazrat Khadija, and even after her death, he remembered her support and love for him.
• Muhammad (PBUH) did not marry any other woman while Hazrat Khadija was alive.
• After Hazrat Khadija’s death, whenever an animal was slaughtered by the Prophet (PBUH), he always sent a portion to ladies who had been Hazrat Khadija’s friends.
• Once, Hazrat Ayesha bitterly expressed her jealously of Hazrat Khadija. In reply, Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“She hailed my mission at a time when everyone howled against it And lent me the support of her conviction when there was hardly a believer.
She enlivened my life when I was woe begone
And opened the floodgates of her heart when I felt lonely and deserted.”
• At a later time, he said:
“Khadija’s love is given to me by Allah.”
“The noblest ladies of this world are Marium and Khadija”.
(2) Hazrat Saudah bint Zam’ah
• The first lady to enter the household of the Prophet (PBUH) after the passing away of Hazrat Khadija.
• Obedient and loyal, simple and selfless.
• She was among the first to accept Islam and also had the distinction of emigrating twice, fist to Abyssinia and then to Madinah. Her life is a beacon for all Muslim women
• Her mother was Shammoos from the tribe of Bannu Najjar, a branch of the Quraish.
• Her father was also from a branch of the Quraish, Banu’Amer bin Loii.
• She was first married to her cousin, Sakram bin Amar, and then to the Prophet (PBUH) on his death.
• All her husband’s brothers, Harat Sohail, Harat Sahel, Harat Hatib and Harat Saleet had the honour of being Companions of the Prophet (PBUH).
• Once the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was settled in Madinah after emigration, he sent Hazrat Zaid bin Haris and Hazrat Abu Rafia to Makkah with some camels and 500 Dirhams to bring all the member of his family. Thus, Hazrat Saudah came to Madinah alongwith the daughters of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
• Hazrat Saudah was a tall, healthy woman with a great sense of humour. She had a slow lumbering walk because of her build and when she went with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on Hajj she took special permission to leave for Muzdalifah earlier so as to avoid the crowds.
• Hazrat Saudah was extremely generous, simple and pious and distinguished for her sense of duty and obedience.
• She was a devout person and was very punctual about her hours of prayers. She had sound knowledge of religious matters. There are five authentic Ahadis attributed to her.
• She lived to the ripe old age of 80 and passed away during the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar bin Khattab.
• Hazrat Ayesha said about her:
• “I did not wish seeing any women except Saudah bint Zam’ah if I could be in her skeleton.”
(3) Hazrat Ayesha bint Hazrat Abu Bakr
• Hazrat Ayesha was born at Makkah, 8-9 years before Hijrat.
• Her father was HazratAbu Bakr Siddiq.
• Her mother was Zaynab bint Amir.
• After the death of Hazrat Khadija, Muhammad (PBUH) was inconsolable. Someone broached to him the idea of remarrying.
• Muhammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Ayesha’s marriage was consummated when Hazrat Ayesha was at least 14.
• Hazrat Ayesha enjoyed the company of Muhammad (PBUH) and had freer access to him than any one else.
• She was intelligent, quick-witted, well-informed on religious and historical matters as she imbibed divinely inspired knowledge and wisdom from the very fountainhead of Prophethood.
• Her apartment was the centre where Ayats were revealed by the Divine Mercy of Allah.
Thus she was given the title of “Horizon of the ladies of Islam.”
• She was very large hearted and benevolent. On one occasion, at one sitting, she gave away 70,000 Dirhams while at an other 1,00,000 Dirhams sent to her from Syria.
• She was modest, pure, pious and extremely tender-hearted.
• The Angel Jibril specifically greeted her and during her lifetime the Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave her the wonderful news that she would enter Paradise.
• As she had a keen and inquiring mind, she dug deeply into the meaning of Ahadis and Ayat.
• She also remembered by heart hundreds of traditions and is thus given a high rank among narrators of Ahadis.
• It was also by efforts of Hazrat Ayesha that conflicting points between the Holy Quran and Sunnah were cleared.
• She also reviewed Ahadis of Muhammad (PBUH) that people brought to her for confirmation.
• Some 2,210 Traditions were narrated by her.
• In accordance with Divine Revelation, Hazrat Ayesha did not remarry after Muhammad (PBUH)’s death.
• Hazrat Ayesha was very charitable and gave most her wealth away in charity.
• She died on 17 Ramadan, 58 AH.
• She is buried in Madina in the Jannat-ul-Baqi.
(4) Hazrat Hafsa bint Hazrat Umar
• One day the Angel Jibril visited the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and narrated about Hafsa:
“She is often fasting and worshiping lady and she will be your wife in Paradise too.”
• Hazrat Hafsa was the daughter of Hazrat Umar Farooq. She was an extremely religious lady who used to spend her time mostly in prayer and fasting. She was an excellent writer and orator besides being an ardent follower of Islam.
• Hazrat Hafsa had such noble qualities and such an amiable nature that Ayesha remarked that among the wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) only she could compare with her.
• Hazrat Hafsa was first married to Khanees, son of Huzaifa. She became a Muslim alongwith her parents and her husband. She was one of those who migrated to Abyssinia alongwith her husband and then came over to Madinah. Her husband got killed in the battle of Uhad. After the Iddat period was over, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) married her with a view to strengthening his ties with Hazrat Umar and his tribe.
• Hazrat Hafsa died at the age of 59 in the 45th year after hijrah dring the Kaliphate of Hazrat Muawya. Her funeral prayers wre led by the governor of Madinah Marwan bin Hakam and she was laid to rest in Jannatul Baqih by the eminent companions such as Hazrat Abu Hurairah and Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri.
• The following Ayat of the Holy Quran expresses an apt attribute to this great Mother of the Believers:
• “Verily, the pious will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers (Paradise). In a seat of truth, near the Omnipotent King.” (54:54-55)
• As the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had instructed her in religious and other related topics, she had become a distinguished teacher, guide and an authority on complicated juridical matters. She was also the custodian of the original copy of the Holy Quran which had been compiled by Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit under the orders of the first Caliph, Abu Bakar.
This copy ultimately became the authentic version of the Holy Quran which is read since then all over the Muslim world.
• Atleast sixty traditions heard by her from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) have been quoted by her.
• She was an extremely religious lady, known for her devotion to prayer and fasting. She was also very fond of reading and writing.
• Before her death, she asked her brother Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar to distribute her entire property to the needy and poor.
(5) Hazrat Zainab bint Khazeemah
• Hazrat Zainab was a lady known as The Mother of the poor and needy because she was the most generous among the ladies of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s household.
• She was born 13 years before Holy Prophet (PBUH) was chosen as the Messenger of Allah.
• Among the righteous band of people who first proclaimed truthfulness was Hazrat Zainab bin Khazeemah.
• She had been married to Hazrat Abdullah bin Jahash who attained martyrdom during the battle of Uhad. After the death of her husband, she attained the enviable position of becoming a wife of Holy Prophet (PBUH).
• She was very pious, courteous, kind, helpful and considerate lady who went all out to accommodate the poor even at the cost of her own pressing needs. Hardly any needy person ever returned empty-handed from her house. She was well-acclaimed for her qualities of generosity and large-heartedness even during pre-Islamic times.
• She lived barely 8 months after her marriage to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). She was just 30 years old when she passed away. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) led the funeral prayers and she was buried in Jannat ul Baqih. Thus, after Hazrat Khadija, she was the second wife to have passed away in the life time of Holy Prophet (PBUH).
(6) Hazrat Umm Salmah bint Abu Umayyah
• Her real name was Hind bint Abu Umayyah who became famous by the name Umm Salmah.
• She was noble by birth, intelligent, learned, wise and skillful and was first married to Hazrat Abdullah bin Abdul Asad Makhzumi known as Abu Salamah, the son of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s paternal aunt Barrah bint Abdul Muttalib.
• Like her husband who was the eleventh person to come into the fold of Islam, Umm Salma was also one of the earlier converts.
• Her mother was Atikah bint Amer. Her father’s name was Abu Umayyah bin Abdullah who was a very wealthy man and famous throughout the Arab world for his public service and charity.
• She first migrated to Abyssinia with her husband. From there they came back to Makkah and then migrated to Madina. She had the distinction of being the first Muslim Woman to migrate to Madina.
• After the death of her husband in the Battle of Uhad, she was married to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the year 4 A.H.
• Hazrat Umm Salma, because of her beauty, knowledge and wisdom, held an eminent position among the wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). After the truce of Hudaibiyah, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered his Companions to sacrifice the animals they had brought along and shave their heads. As they all seemed reluctant and did not rise to obey his command, Umm Salma suggested to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that he should not speak about the subject to any one, but just go out from the tent and offer the sacrifice and shave his head. Then he could see the effect of his action. And what she expected happened – all the Companions followed suit.
• Hazrat Umm Salma was an astute and educated lady who was devoted and committed to the welfare of the destitute and needy. Several of the Ayat of the Noble Quran were revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) when he was in her apartment, for instance, Ayat in Surat Al-Ahzab:
“And Allah only wishes to remove evil deeds from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification.” (33:33)
• Hazrat Umm Salma also had the distinction of taking part in many battles of significance in the history of Islam. She was with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during the battles of Bani Mustalaq, Ta’if, Khaibar, Hunain and the conquest of Makkah.
• She was very pious, noble, kind-hearted, modest and generous. It is said that the wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) were treasuries of Ahadis but Hazrat Ayesha and Hazrat Umm-e-Salmah had no equal.
• Hazrat Umm Salma was very learned in religious matters. She knew 378 Ahadis of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by heart. Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas used to consult with her for many points of Shariah.
• Hazrat Umm Salma had hardly any equal in mastery over language. When she spoke, her words and phrases were very well chosen and exactly appropriate for the expression of ideas.
• She lived to the ripe old age of 84 and died in the year 62nd after Hijrah. She lived to see the rule of the pious Caliphs. Hazrat Zainab bint Jahash was the first among the Mothers of the Believers to pass away and Hazrat Umm Salma was the last. This was during the rule of Yazid and she was laid to rest besides the other wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in Jannat ul Baqih.
• The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Umm Salma participated in Rizwan pledge, therefore, she deserved the Paradise.” ….. “Allah has commanded me to marry only with the women of Paradise.”
(7) Hazrat Zainab bint Jahsh
• She was the daughter of Umaimah bint `Abdul Mutalib who was the Messenger of Allah’s Paternal Aunt. Her brother was the distinguished general, Abdullah bin Jahash.
Another brother was a noted author of religious poetry, Abu Ahmad bin Jahash. Her sister was famous woman Companion Hazrat Hamnah bint Jahash.
• Known for her generosity and sympathy for the needy, sobriety and abstinence, devotion and prayer, she was first married to Hazrat Zaid bin Haris, the adopted son of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). After her divorce, she was married to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) at the express command of Allah in order to destroy the barbaric custom of giving the same status to adopted children as to their own flesh and blood.
• Hazrat Zainab was an innately good woman who used to devote a great deal of her time to prayer and fasting. She was hospitable, modest, generous and soft-hearted, so much so that the poor and distressed of the city broke into tears when they heard they lost their benefactress and patron.
• She was beautiful, intelligent, wise, of noble birth, who was the envy of the many.
• Hazrat Ayesha says that in terms of value and position, Hazrat Zainab was her equal. She said she had never seen any other person who was so eager to get closer to Allah. To gain nearness to Him, she was more charitable than most, and her generous behaviour with relatives was impeccable. She died during the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar Farooq at the age of 53.
(8) Hazrat Javeriah bint Haris
• Hazrat Ayesha said: “I did not see any lady, except Hazrat Juveria who became a source of blessing for her tribesmen more than Juveriah because hundreds of her tribesmen were liberated from the slavery by her action.”
• Hazrat Juveria was the daughter of Haris bin Abi Zarar, the Chief of Banu Mustalaq who along with his tribe was defeated
• Hazrat Juveria came to Madina as a spoil of war which had taken place at Marisa between the Muslims and her tribe, Banu Mustalaq, which was headed by her father Haris. According to the custom of those days, she fell to the lot of Hazrat Sabit bin Qais Ansari who was ready to release her for a ransom of gold; but from where could she get the gold to give in exchange for her freedom? She pleaded with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to take notice of the pitiful and desperate condition in which the daughter of the chieftain found herself. On her persuasion, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) agreed to pay her ransom and marry her if she liked, to which she immediately consented. As a result of
this marriage, the prisoners of war from her tribe numbering about six hundred were released.
• Before her marriage to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), her name was Barah which was changed to Juveriah. When she married the Holy Prophet (PBUH) at the age of twenty, she was not only exceptionally beautiful but also graceful, elegant, dignified and eloquent.
• When Hazrat Ayesha saw her for the firs time, she exclaimed that Hazrat Juveriah was as
• When Hazrat Ayesha saw her for the firs time, she exclaimed that Hazrat Juveriah was as