4.1 The Prophet's Wives (Umm-ul-Momineen / Ummahat-ul-Momineen)

Subject: Islamiyat | Level: O Level (2058) | Topic: 4 — The First Islamic Community

2026 📋 Syllabus Objectives

  • Candidates should study the Prophet's wives.

📖 Main Content

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🔑 Who Are the Umm-ul-Momineen?

The wives of Prophet Muhammad PBUH are given a very special and honourable title in Islam: Umm-ul-Momineen (also written as Ummahat-ul-Momineen), which means "Mothers of the Believers."

This title comes from the Holy Quran:

Reference: Surah Al-Ahzab 33:6 Context: Allah SWT declared in this verse that Prophet Muhammad PBUH is closer to the believers than their own selves, and that his wives hold the rank of mothers to all believers. This verse establishes their enormous status and respect in Islam. It also means that no Muslim man could marry any of the Prophet's PBUH wives after him, just as one cannot marry one's own mother.

The wives of Prophet Muhammad PBUH played a hugely important role in:

  • Spreading Islamic knowledge
  • Serving as role models for Muslim women
  • Narrating Ahadis (sayings and actions of the Prophet PBUH)
  • Supporting the Prophet PBUH emotionally and practically

Those wives who outlived Prophet Muhammad PBUH never remarried, dedicating their lives entirely to teaching and guiding the Muslim community.

👤 The Wives of Prophet Muhammad PBUH — Detailed Notes

1. Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid RZ

Background:

  • Her father was Khuwaylid bin Asad and her mother was Fatima bint Za'idah
  • Known since childhood by the title "Tahira" (meaning The Pure One) because of her outstanding piety and noble character
  • She was a highly successful and respected businesswoman in Makkah
  • She had been previously married twice; her first husband was Abu Hala bin Zurarah and her second was Ateeq bin Aidh Makhzumi
  • After becoming a widow, she lived a chaste and dignified life
  • She was one of the wealthiest and most respected women in Makkah
  • She had also studied the Christian and Jewish Scriptures

Marriage to Prophet Muhammad PBUH:

  • Hazrat Khadija RZ hired Prophet Muhammad PBUH to lead her trade caravans to Syria
  • She was deeply impressed by his complete honesty, trustworthiness, and excellent character
  • She proposed marriage to him; at the time, he was 25 years old and she was 40 years old
  • This marriage brought Prophet Muhammad PBUH financial stability and peace of mind

Her Contribution to Islam:

  • She was the very first person to accept Islam — making her the first Muslim in history
  • When the first revelation came to the Prophet PBUH at Cave Hira, he returned home shaken and frightened. Hazrat Khadija RZ immediately comforted and consoled him
  • She took him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufil, a Christian scholar, who confirmed that the revelation was from Allah SWT
  • She supported the Prophet PBUH throughout the years of hardship and persecution in Makkah
  • She stayed completely loyal during the social boycott of Banu Hashim, when the Prophet's PBUH clan was cut off from trade and contact for three years
  • She bore Prophet Muhammad PBUH six children: two sons (Qasim and Abdullah, both of whom passed away in infancy) and four daughters (Zainab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum, and Fatima)

Quranic Reference:

Reference: Surah Ad-Duha 93:8 Context: This verse refers to how Allah SWT granted the Prophet PBUH financial independence and sufficiency — a blessing that was largely fulfilled through his marriage to Hazrat Khadija RZ and her generous support.

Death:

  • Hazrat Khadija RZ passed away on 11 Ramadan, three years before the Hijrat (migration to Madinah), at the age of 65
  • The year of her death is known as "The Year of Sorrow" (Aam-ul-Huzn) because both she and the Prophet's PBUH beloved uncle Abu Talib passed away that year

The Prophet's PBUH deep love for her:

  • Prophet Muhammad PBUH continued to honour and speak about Hazrat Khadija RZ with the greatest love and respect even after her death. He once said that she supported him at a time when everyone opposed him, believed in him when others rejected him, and opened her heart and wealth to him during his most difficult moments.

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