4.2 — Descendants of Prophet Muhammad PBUH: Children, Grandchildren, and Shi'a Imams

2026 📋 Syllabus Objectives

Candidates should study the descendants of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, including his children, grandchildren, and the direct line recognised among Shi'a Muslims as Imams.

📖 Main Content

https://cambridgeassistant.com

1. Overview of Prophet Muhammad PBUH's Children

Prophet Muhammad PBUH was blessed with seven children in total — 3 sons and 4 daughters.

  • All three sons passed away at a young age and did not survive to adulthood.
  • All four daughters grew up and played important roles in early Islamic history.
  • It is important to know that Zakat (obligatory charity) is not to be given to the descendants of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, as they belong to the blessed household (Ahl al-Bayt).

2. The Sons of Prophet Muhammad PBUH

🔹 Hazrat Qasim

  • He was the first child of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Hazrat Khadija RZ.
  • He was born in Makkah.
  • He had grown old enough to walk before he passed away in infancy.
  • Because of him, Prophet Muhammad PBUH was also affectionately called "Abu-ul-Qasim", meaning "Father of Qasim."

🔹 Hazrat Tahir (also known as Abdullah)

  • He was the second child of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Hazrat Khadija RZ.
  • He was both born and passed away in Makkah.
  • The sorrowful event of his passing was the occasion upon which Surah al-Kausar was revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH by Allah SWT — a short but deeply meaningful chapter of the Quran offering comfort and blessings.

🔹 Hazrat Ibrahim

  • He was the son of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Hazrat Mariyah Qibtiyah RZ.
  • Hazrat Mariyah RZ was a noble lady sent as a gift to Prophet Muhammad PBUH by Muqawqis, the ruler of Egypt, after receiving the Prophet's PBUH letter inviting him to Islam. She became the second lady, after Hazrat Khadija RZ, to be honoured as the mother of a son of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
  • Hazrat Ibrahim was named after the great Prophet Ibrahim AS.
  • He passed away in infancy, leaving both parents in deep grief and sorrow.
  • On the same day, a solar eclipse occurred by coincidence. Some Arabs believed such events happened because of the death of a great person. Prophet Muhammad PBUH corrected this wrong belief, clarifying that the sun and moon are signs of Allah SWT and do not change for any person's birth or death.
  • Hazrat Mariyah RZ passed away in 16 AH.

Sign in to view full notes