Wives of Muhammad: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
[[Muhammad]] ([[570]]-[[632]] C.E.) is regarded by Muslims as the last prophet of God. He is also a political figure; he unified many of the tribes and city states of [[Arabia]]. |
[[Muhammad]] ([[570]]-[[632]] C.E.) is regarded by Muslims as the last prophet of God. He is also a political figure; he unified many of the tribes and city states of [[Arabia]]. |
||
His life falls into two epochs: his residence in [[Mecca]], a city in northern Arabia, from [[570]] to [[622]] C.E., and his residence in [[Medina]], a nearby city, from [[622]] until his death in [[632]]. All but two of his marriages were contracted after |
His life falls into two epochs: his residence in [[Mecca]], a city in northern Arabia, from [[570]] to [[622]] C.E., and his residence in [[Medina]], a nearby city, from [[622]] until his death in [[632]]. All but two of his marriages were contracted after [[Migration to Medina]]. |
||
<br> |
<br> |
||
<br> |
<br> |
||
==History== |
|||
=== Khadijah === |
|||
{{main|Khadijah bint Khuwaylid}} |
|||
His first marriage, to Khadijah, was long, happy, and fruitful. Muslim traditions say that she was a forty-year-old rich widow, fifteen years older than Muhammad, when she noted his pleasing character and competence as her employee. She indicated that a proposal of marriage would be acceptable; Muhammad consulted with his uncles and then made a formal marriage proposal. According to [[Sunni]] Muslims, they had four children, of whom three survived. According to [[Shi'a]] Muslims, they had three, but only one child survived, a daughter named [[Fatima Zahra]]. |
|||
Khadijah was the first to accept Muhammad as a prophet and stood staunchly behind him through many years of persecution and turmoil in Mecca. While she lived, he married no other wife. She is considered by [[Shi'a]] Muslims to be the prophet's favorite wife. |
|||
Accounts differ as to his next marriage. Most say that it was to Sawada bint Zama; some say it was to Aisha. |
|||
Sawada was also an older widow, and a Muslim convert. Muhammad is said to have married her in Mecca. |
|||
=== Aisha === |
|||
{{main|Aisha}} |
|||
It was also at this time that he was betrothed to Aisha, the daughter of [[Abu Bakr]], who later became the first Caliph and whom [[Sunnis]] consider to have been Muhammad's closest friend. Most Muslims believe that she was only six years old at the time of the betrothal (a mutual promise to marry), based on oral traditions, or [[hadith]] reported by [[Bukhari]]. However, there are other traditions, including [[Ibn Ishaq]]'s biography of Muhammad, that would indicate she was older[http://aaiil.org/text/acus/islam/aishahage.shtml][http://www.studying-islam.org/articletext.aspx?id=935]. |
|||
Muhammad married Aisha after the Hijra, when she may have been anywhere from nine to seventeen years old. The marriage to Aisha may have been politically motivated initially, in that Abu Bakr was one of Muhammad's strongest supporters, and the marriage strengthened the ties between them. However, there are many stories indicating that Muhammad was extremely fond of Aisha, and that most people considered her his favorite wife. He defended her when she was accused of adultery. |
|||
: Aisha became separated from the rest of the party while on a trip, and was brought back by one of Muhammad's companions, Shafwan ibn Muatthal. Since she had been alone with another man, people gossiped and said that she must be having an affair. Muhammad refused to repudiate her, then received a revelation that four eyewitnesses were necessary to prove adultery. |
|||
Many traditions relate that during his last illness, he sought her company and died with his head in her lap. Aisha in her turn grew attached to Muhammad. |
|||
Note that [[Shia]] Muslims deny most of the traditions narrated above. They take a very dim view of Aisha and of her father, Abu Bakr. They deny that Abu Bakr was close to Muhammad; they do not believe that Aisha was Muhammad's favorite wife; they deny that Muhammad died in Aisha's arms. They argue that most of the traditions ([[hadith]]) making these assertions can be traced to Aisha, Abu Bakr, and their supporters. Shia Muslims believe that Muhammad revered the memory of Khadija, and regarded his daughter Fatima and her husband [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]] as his closest family. Aisha was jealous of Khadija, they argue, and after Muhammad's death, did her best to exaggerate her own importance. |
|||
=== Many wives of Medina === |
|||
Soon after settling in Medina, Muhammad married Hafsa, the daughter of Umar, another close advisor. He was thus linked by marriage to two of his chief lieutenants -- Abu Bakr, who was to lead the Muslims after Muhammad's death, and Umar, who became [[caliph]] after Abu Bakr. |
|||
Note that some Shi'a Muslims do not believe that Abu Bakr and Umar were ever close friends or trusted lieutenants of Muhammad. Sunni Muslims and Non-Muslims believe that there is ample historical evidence to establish their positions as companions and leaders. |
|||
The marriage to Hafsa was the first of a spate of marriages in the years 624-629, when the Muslims were engaged in constant warfare. |
|||
Muhammad married widows of Muslims killed in battle: |
|||
* Zaynab bint Khuzayma |
|||
* Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya |
|||
* Maymuna bint al-Harith |
|||
He married captives widowed when their cities were taken: |
|||
* Safiyya bint Huyayy (said to have married her to save her from slavery) |
|||
* Juwayriya bint al-Harith (possibly political -- after the marriage her tribe was treated as an ally) |
|||
He married for political reasons: |
|||
* Umm Habibah Ramla (cemented a treaty with Mecca) |
|||
He either married or took as a concubine a slave girl sent to him by the ruler of Egypt: |
|||
* Maria al-Qibtiyya (Maria the Copt) |
|||
Maria was the mother of Ibrahim, a short-lived son by Muhammad. |
|||
=== Muhammad's widows === |
|||
One verse in the Qur'an forbids marriage with Muhammad's widows. So far as history knows, none of his widows did remarry. |
|||
The extent of Muhammad's property at the time of his death is unclear. Although Quran [2.180] clearly addresses issues of inheritance, [[Abu Bakr]], the new leader of the Muslim [[ummah]], refused to divide Muhammad's property among his widows and heirs, saying that he had heard Muhammad say, |
|||
: ''"We (Prophets) do not have any heirs; what we leave behind is (to be given in) charity"'' [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/019.smt.html#019.4351] |
|||
However, Abu Bakr and the succeeding caliphs did make provision for Muhammad's widows and relatives out of the proceeds of the Muslim conquests. One-fifth of the spoils were to be given to the ruler, as public funds. Part of this was devoted to pensions. |
|||
Neither the wives nor the relatives were satisfied with this decision, and there are many traditions recounting their complaints to Abu Bakr and succeeding caliphs. |
|||
== List of Muhammad's wives == |
== List of Muhammad's wives == |
||
| Line 118: | Line 183: | ||
Regarding [[Maria al-Qibtiyya]] ("Maria the Copt"): she was a slave given to Mohammad by the ruler of Egypt. Some say that she remained a slave; some say that she was freed and that Muhammad married her; the mother of Muhammad's short-lived son Ibrahim in [[630]] |
Regarding [[Maria al-Qibtiyya]] ("Maria the Copt"): she was a slave given to Mohammad by the ruler of Egypt. Some say that she remained a slave; some say that she was freed and that Muhammad married her; the mother of Muhammad's short-lived son Ibrahim in [[630]] |
||
== |
==Views== |
||
===Muslim view=== |
|||
{{main|Khadijah bint Khuwaylid}} |
|||
Muslim title all wives as [[Mother of the Believers]], a title given to them in the Qur'an. |
|||
His first marriage, to Khadijah, was long, happy, and fruitful. Muslim traditions say that she was a forty-year-old rich widow, fifteen years older than Muhammad, when she noted his pleasing character and competence as her employee. She indicated that a proposal of marriage would be acceptable; Muhammad consulted with his uncles and then made a formal marriage proposal. According to [[Sunni]] Muslims, they had four children, of whom three survived. According to [[Shi'a]] Muslims, they had three, but only one child survived, a daughter named [[Fatima Zahra]]. |
|||
====Sunni view==== |
|||
Khadijah was the first to accept Muhammad as a prophet and stood staunchly behind him through many years of persecution and turmoil in Mecca. While she lived, he married no other wife. She is considered by [[Shi'a]] Muslims to be the prophet's favorite wife. |
|||
Sunni's view that all wives were the best of woman, a view supported by the Qur'an. |
|||
====Shi'a view==== |
|||
Accounts differ as to his next marriage. Most say that it was to Sawada bint Zama; some say it was to Aisha. |
|||
Sawada was also an older widow, and a Muslim convert. Muhammad is said to have married her in Mecca. |
|||
== Aisha == |
|||
{{main|Aisha}} |
|||
It was also at this time that he was betrothed to Aisha, the daughter of [[Abu Bakr]], who later became the first Caliph and whom [[Sunnis]] consider to have been Muhammad's closest friend. Most Muslims believe that she was only six years old at the time of the betrothal (a mutual promise to marry), based on oral traditions, or [[hadith]] reported by [[Bukhari]]. However, there are other traditions, including [[Ibn Ishaq]]'s biography of Muhammad, that would indicate she was older[http://aaiil.org/text/acus/islam/aishahage.shtml][http://www.studying-islam.org/articletext.aspx?id=935]. |
|||
Muhammad married Aisha after the Hijra, when she may have been anywhere from nine to seventeen years old. The marriage to Aisha may have been politically motivated initially, in that Abu Bakr was one of Muhammad's strongest supporters, and the marriage strengthened the ties between them. However, there are many stories indicating that Muhammad was extremely fond of Aisha, and that most people considered her his favorite wife. He defended her when she was accused of adultery. |
|||
: Aisha became separated from the rest of the party while on a trip, and was brought back by one of Muhammad's companions, Shafwan ibn Muatthal. Since she had been alone with another man, people gossiped and said that she must be having an affair. Muhammad refused to repudiate her, then received a revelation that four eyewitnesses were necessary to prove adultery. |
|||
Many traditions relate that during his last illness, he sought her company and died with his head in her lap. Aisha in her turn grew attached to Muhammad. |
|||
Note that [[Shia]] Muslims deny most of the traditions narrated above. They take a very dim view of Aisha and of her father, Abu Bakr. They deny that Abu Bakr was close to Muhammad; they do not believe that Aisha was Muhammad's favorite wife; they deny that Muhammad died in Aisha's arms. They argue that most of the traditions ([[hadith]]) making these assertions can be traced to Aisha, Abu Bakr, and their supporters. Shia Muslims believe that Muhammad revered the memory of Khadija, and regarded his daughter Fatima and her husband [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]] as his closest family. Aisha was jealous of Khadija, they argue, and after Muhammad's death, did her best to exaggerate her own importance. |
|||
== Many wives of Medina == |
|||
Soon after settling in Medina, Muhammad married Hafsa, the daughter of Umar, another close advisor. He was thus linked by marriage to two of his chief lieutenants -- Abu Bakr, who was to lead the Muslims after Muhammad's death, and Umar, who became [[caliph]] after Abu Bakr. |
|||
Note that some Shi'a Muslims do not believe that Abu Bakr and Umar were ever close friends or trusted lieutenants of Muhammad. Sunni Muslims and Non-Muslims believe that there is ample historical evidence to establish their positions as companions and leaders. |
|||
The marriage to Hafsa was the first of a spate of marriages in the years 624-629, when the Muslims were engaged in constant warfare. |
|||
Muhammad married widows of Muslims killed in battle: |
|||
* Zaynab bint Khuzayma |
|||
* Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya |
|||
* Maymuna bint al-Harith |
|||
He married captives widowed when their cities were taken: |
|||
* Safiyya bint Huyayy (said to have married her to save her from slavery) |
|||
* Juwayriya bint al-Harith (possibly political -- after the marriage her tribe was treated as an ally) |
|||
He married for political reasons: |
|||
* Umm Habibah Ramla (cemented a treaty with Mecca) |
|||
He either married or took as a concubine a slave girl sent to him by the ruler of Egypt: |
|||
* Maria al-Qibtiyya (Maria the Copt) |
|||
Maria was the mother of Ibrahim, a short-lived son by Muhammad. |
|||
== Muhammad's widows == |
|||
One verse in the Qur'an forbids marriage with Muhammad's widows. So far as history knows, none of his widows did remarry. |
|||
The extent of Muhammad's property at the time of his death is unclear. Although Quran [2.180] clearly addresses issues of inheritance, [[Abu Bakr]], the new leader of the Muslim [[ummah]], refused to divide Muhammad's property among his widows and heirs, saying that he had heard Muhammad say, |
|||
: ''"We (Prophets) do not have any heirs; what we leave behind is (to be given in) charity"'' [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/019.smt.html#019.4351] |
|||
However, Abu Bakr and the succeeding caliphs did make provision for Muhammad's widows and relatives out of the proceeds of the Muslim conquests. One-fifth of the spoils were to be given to the ruler, as public funds. Part of this was devoted to pensions. |
|||
Neither the wives nor the relatives were satisfied with this decision, and there are many traditions recounting their complaints to Abu Bakr and succeeding caliphs. |
|||
== Monogamy versus polygyny== |
=== Monogamy versus polygyny=== |
||
Muslims report that there is nothing wrong with [[polygyny]]. [[Celibacy]] is not an Islamic ideal; it is discouraged (a well-known [[hadith]] states that "[[Marriage]] is half of faith" <sup>[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/humanrelations/womeninislam/marriage.html]</sup> <!--originally found in al-Baihaqi, at-Tabarani, al-Hakim and other various lesser known books of Hadith-->) and sometimes considered psychologically unhealthy. Muslims also add that Muhammad was a man of his time, in a time when most political relationships were sealed with a marriage. Great rulers had dozens of wives, or more. (As did [[Solomon]], according to the Jewish and Christian scriptures.) |
Muslims report that there is nothing wrong with [[polygyny]]. [[Celibacy]] is not an Islamic ideal; it is discouraged (a well-known [[hadith]] states that "[[Marriage]] is half of faith" <sup>[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/humanrelations/womeninislam/marriage.html]</sup> <!--originally found in al-Baihaqi, at-Tabarani, al-Hakim and other various lesser known books of Hadith-->) and sometimes considered psychologically unhealthy. Muslims also add that Muhammad was a man of his time, in a time when most political relationships were sealed with a marriage. Great rulers had dozens of wives, or more. (As did [[Solomon]], according to the Jewish and Christian scriptures.) |
||
| Line 202: | Line 214: | ||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
*[[Islam]] |
|||
*[[Mother of the Believers]] |
|||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
Revision as of 00:56, 30 July 2006
|  | |
Template:Prophets, salaf and caliphs Muhammad (570-632 C.E.) is regarded by Muslims as the last prophet of God. He is also a political figure; he unified many of the tribes and city states of Arabia.
His life falls into two epochs: his residence in Mecca, a city in northern Arabia, from 570 to 622 C.E., and his residence in Medina, a nearby city, from 622 until his death in 632. All but two of his marriages were contracted after Migration to Medina.
History
Khadijah
His first marriage, to Khadijah, was long, happy, and fruitful. Muslim traditions say that she was a forty-year-old rich widow, fifteen years older than Muhammad, when she noted his pleasing character and competence as her employee. She indicated that a proposal of marriage would be acceptable; Muhammad consulted with his uncles and then made a formal marriage proposal. According to Sunni Muslims, they had four children, of whom three survived. According to Shi'a Muslims, they had three, but only one child survived, a daughter named Fatima Zahra.
Khadijah was the first to accept Muhammad as a prophet and stood staunchly behind him through many years of persecution and turmoil in Mecca. While she lived, he married no other wife. She is considered by Shi'a Muslims to be the prophet's favorite wife.
Accounts differ as to his next marriage. Most say that it was to Sawada bint Zama; some say it was to Aisha.
Sawada was also an older widow, and a Muslim convert. Muhammad is said to have married her in Mecca.
Aisha
It was also at this time that he was betrothed to Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, who later became the first Caliph and whom Sunnis consider to have been Muhammad's closest friend. Most Muslims believe that she was only six years old at the time of the betrothal (a mutual promise to marry), based on oral traditions, or hadith reported by Bukhari. However, there are other traditions, including Ibn Ishaq's biography of Muhammad, that would indicate she was older[1][2].
Muhammad married Aisha after the Hijra, when she may have been anywhere from nine to seventeen years old. The marriage to Aisha may have been politically motivated initially, in that Abu Bakr was one of Muhammad's strongest supporters, and the marriage strengthened the ties between them. However, there are many stories indicating that Muhammad was extremely fond of Aisha, and that most people considered her his favorite wife. He defended her when she was accused of adultery.
- Aisha became separated from the rest of the party while on a trip, and was brought back by one of Muhammad's companions, Shafwan ibn Muatthal. Since she had been alone with another man, people gossiped and said that she must be having an affair. Muhammad refused to repudiate her, then received a revelation that four eyewitnesses were necessary to prove adultery.
Many traditions relate that during his last illness, he sought her company and died with his head in her lap. Aisha in her turn grew attached to Muhammad.
Note that Shia Muslims deny most of the traditions narrated above. They take a very dim view of Aisha and of her father, Abu Bakr. They deny that Abu Bakr was close to Muhammad; they do not believe that Aisha was Muhammad's favorite wife; they deny that Muhammad died in Aisha's arms. They argue that most of the traditions (hadith) making these assertions can be traced to Aisha, Abu Bakr, and their supporters. Shia Muslims believe that Muhammad revered the memory of Khadija, and regarded his daughter Fatima and her husband Ali ibn Abi Talib as his closest family. Aisha was jealous of Khadija, they argue, and after Muhammad's death, did her best to exaggerate her own importance.
Many wives of Medina
Soon after settling in Medina, Muhammad married Hafsa, the daughter of Umar, another close advisor. He was thus linked by marriage to two of his chief lieutenants -- Abu Bakr, who was to lead the Muslims after Muhammad's death, and Umar, who became caliph after Abu Bakr.
Note that some Shi'a Muslims do not believe that Abu Bakr and Umar were ever close friends or trusted lieutenants of Muhammad. Sunni Muslims and Non-Muslims believe that there is ample historical evidence to establish their positions as companions and leaders.
The marriage to Hafsa was the first of a spate of marriages in the years 624-629, when the Muslims were engaged in constant warfare.
Muhammad married widows of Muslims killed in battle:
- Zaynab bint Khuzayma
- Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya
- Maymuna bint al-Harith
He married captives widowed when their cities were taken:
- Safiyya bint Huyayy (said to have married her to save her from slavery)
- Juwayriya bint al-Harith (possibly political -- after the marriage her tribe was treated as an ally)
He married for political reasons:
- Umm Habibah Ramla (cemented a treaty with Mecca)
He either married or took as a concubine a slave girl sent to him by the ruler of Egypt:
- Maria al-Qibtiyya (Maria the Copt)
Maria was the mother of Ibrahim, a short-lived son by Muhammad.
Muhammad's widows
One verse in the Qur'an forbids marriage with Muhammad's widows. So far as history knows, none of his widows did remarry.
The extent of Muhammad's property at the time of his death is unclear. Although Quran [2.180] clearly addresses issues of inheritance, Abu Bakr, the new leader of the Muslim ummah, refused to divide Muhammad's property among his widows and heirs, saying that he had heard Muhammad say,
- "We (Prophets) do not have any heirs; what we leave behind is (to be given in) charity" [3]
However, Abu Bakr and the succeeding caliphs did make provision for Muhammad's widows and relatives out of the proceeds of the Muslim conquests. One-fifth of the spoils were to be given to the ruler, as public funds. Part of this was devoted to pensions.
Neither the wives nor the relatives were satisfied with this decision, and there are many traditions recounting their complaints to Abu Bakr and succeeding caliphs.
List of Muhammad's wives
| Name | Tribe | Status before marriage | Age | Motive | Date of marriage | Date of death |
| Khadijah bint Khuwaylid | Banu Asad | widow | married in 595 | died 619 | ||
| Sawada bint Zama | Banu Abd Shams | widow | married soon after 619 | died after Muhammad | ||
| Aisha | Banu Taim | virgin | 9-18 (disputed) | married in 622 | died after Muhammad | |
| Hafsa bint Umar | Banu Adi | widow | political | married circa 624-625 | died after Muhammad | |
| Zaynab bint Khuzayma | Banu ? | widow | married circa 626-627 | died soon afterwards | ||
| Umm Salama | Banu Umayyah | widow | political | married in 626 | died after Muhammad | |
| Zaynab bint Jahsh | Banu ? | widow and divorcee | differing views | married circa 625-627 | died after Muhammad | |
| Juwayriya bint al-Harith | Banu Mustaliq | widow | possibly political | married circa 627-628 | died after Muhammad | |
| Umm Habibah | Banu Umayyah | widow | political | married 629 | died after Muhammad | |
| Safiyya bint Huyayy | Banu Nadir | widow | captured in battle | married 629 | died after Muhammad | |
| Maymuna bint al-Harith | Banu ? | widow | married 629 | died after Muhammad | ||
| Maria al-Qibtiyya | Egyptian | Unmarried? | political | circa 628-629 | died after Muhammad |
Regarding Maria al-Qibtiyya ("Maria the Copt"): she was a slave given to Mohammad by the ruler of Egypt. Some say that she remained a slave; some say that she was freed and that Muhammad married her; the mother of Muhammad's short-lived son Ibrahim in 630
Views
Muslim view
Muslim title all wives as Mother of the Believers, a title given to them in the Qur'an.
Sunni view
Sunni's view that all wives were the best of woman, a view supported by the Qur'an.
Shi'a view
Monogamy versus polygyny
Muslims report that there is nothing wrong with polygyny. Celibacy is not an Islamic ideal; it is discouraged (a well-known hadith states that "Marriage is half of faith" [4] ) and sometimes considered psychologically unhealthy. Muslims also add that Muhammad was a man of his time, in a time when most political relationships were sealed with a marriage. Great rulers had dozens of wives, or more. (As did Solomon, according to the Jewish and Christian scriptures.)
Many Muslims defend Muhammad's polygyny, and polygyny in general, as necessary and useful. Muhammad's marriages are explained either as political marriages, or as acts of charity towards Muslim widows. Muslims also believe that Muhammad brought a complete system of life, it was hence necessary to practically demonstrate the desirable characteristics of a marriage relationship under differing circumstances.
- The Prophet's Multiple Marriages: Why?
- Wisdom Behind Prophet Muhammad’s Plural Marriages
- Why He Had More Than One Wife
Many of Muhammad's detractors have criticized his conduct in having more wives than his followers. During the Medina period, he received a new revelation telling Muslim men to marry no more than four wives, and that only if they could treat them all equally. However, Muhammad himself had more than four wives. He would seem to have broken the Quranic rules.
However, Muslim scholars note that the Qur'an exempts Muhammad from the general decree.
- O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers. (Al-Ahzab 33: 50)
They explain this as a kind concession to Muhammad's wives. If he were to divorce them, no one else could marry them, and they would be left alone until their deaths. The prophet's wives were revered as "Umm ul Mo'mayneen" or Mothers of the Believers; it would be tantamount to incest for a believer to marry one of Muhammad's widows. So the Qur'an commands:
- Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy God's Apostle, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in God's sight an enormity. (Al-Ahzab 33: 53)