Wives of the Prophet ﷺ

Wives of the Prophet ﷺ

Ummahat al-Mu’mineen – Mothers of the Believers

Introduction

The wives of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are honored with the title Ummahat al-Mu’mineen (Mothers of the Believers). They were his companions in life, his supporters in mission, and role models for the Muslim ummah. Knowing their lives helps us appreciate the legacy of sacrifice, love, and faith they carried.

List of the Prophet’s Wives

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ married eleven women, with nine surviving him at his death. Two passed away during his lifetime: Khadijah and Zaynab bint Khuzaymah (may Allah be pleased with them).

1. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

The Prophet ﷺ married Khadijah when he was 25. She was his only wife until her death, and all his children except Ibrahim were born to her.

“I never felt jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ as I did of Khadijah, because of what I heard him say about her.” Sahih al-Bukhari 3815

2. Sawdah bint Zam’ah

Married in the tenth year of Prophethood after Khadijah’s passing. Known for her generosity and cheerful spirit. (See Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah, 3/149)

3. ‘Aishah bint Abi Bakr

Married in Shawwal of the tenth year of Prophethood. The only virgin wife of the Prophet ﷺ, and one of the most knowledgeable in hadith and fiqh.

“The Prophet ﷺ married me when I was six and consummated the marriage when I was nine.” Sahih al-Bukhari 3894; Sahih Muslim 1422

4. Hafsah bint ‘Umar

Widow of Khunays ibn Hudhafah (a Badr veteran). The Prophet ﷺ married her after ‘Uthman and Abu Bakr declined due to knowing of the Prophet’s interest.

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ proposed to her and I married her to him.” Sahih al-Bukhari 4005

5. Zaynab bint Khuzaymah

Married in Ramadan, 31 months after the Hijrah. Known as “Mother of the Poor” for her kindness. She passed away only a few months later. (See Ibn Sa’d, 8/115)

6. Umm Salamah (Hind bint Abi Umayyah)

Widow of Abu Salamah. After his death, she married the Prophet ﷺ and became one of his wise and devoted wives.

“Whoever says in a calamity: Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘oon… O Allah, reward me and compensate me with better, Allah will compensate him with something better.” Sahih Muslim 918

7. Juwayriyah bint al-Harith

Captured at Banu al-Mustaliq. The Prophet ﷺ married her and set her free, making her dowry her manumission. Her marriage led to many of her people embracing Islam. (See Ibn Hisham, 3/408-409)

8. Zaynab bint Jahsh

Married by divine command after Zayd ibn Harithah divorced her.

“So when Zayd had ended his relation with her, We gave her to you in marriage…” Qur’an 33:37

She used to say: “Allah married me from above the seven heavens.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 7420)

9. Umm Habibah (Ramlah bint Abi Sufyan)

Widow of ‘Ubayd-Allah ibn Jahsh, who died in Abyssinia. The Negus married her to the Prophet ﷺ and paid her dowry. (See Abu Dawud 2107, classed sahih by al-Albani)

10. Maymunah bint al-Harith

Married the Prophet ﷺ after he exited ihram from ‘Umrat al-Qada’. Ibn ‘Abbas said she was the last woman he married. (See Sahih al-Bukhari 1832; Muslim 1410)

11. Safiyyah bint Huyayy

Taken prisoner at Khaybar. The Prophet ﷺ freed and married her.

“The Prophet ﷺ set her free and made her freedom her dowry.” Sahih al-Bukhari 371

Other Reports

Some scholars mention Rayhanah bint ‘Amr al-Nadariyyah as a concubine rather than a wife. Ibn al-Qayyim regarded this as more likely in Zad al-Ma‘ad.

References

Primary Sources

• Qur’an 33:37 : Marriage of Zaynab bint Jahsh.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 3815 : Virtues of Khadijah.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 3894 : Marriage of Aishah.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 4005 : Marriage of Hafsah.
• Sahih Muslim 918 : Virtue of Umm Salamah.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 371 : Marriage of Safiyyah.

Secondary Sources

• Ibn Sa’d, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra : Biographies of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah : Historical details of the marriages.
• Ibn al-Qayyim, Zad al-Ma‘ad : Commentary on prophetic biography.