More than one wife in Islamic marriages: The Prophet Mohammad’s example

Posted by on Jan 31, 2014 in Marriage, Marriage in Islam | 0 comments

More than one wife in Islamic marriages: The Prophet Mohammad’s example

The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) married a number of women during his lifetime, each of whom were as important to him as the other. Such was the importance of the wives of the Prophet in his life and in Islam that they were referred to as Mothers of the Believers also known as Ummahāt ul-Muʾminīn. Allah said in the Quran about the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their selves, and his wives are (as) their mothers.”  This mean that each of the wives of the Prophet has something to teach his Ummah about Islam and the way of live. And what better way to teach all of us than by giving us the real life examples of how the Holy Prophet treated and lived with all his wives.

Prophet Mohammad lived with all his wives in harmony, love and understanding. The beauty of marriage that has shown to be envisioned by us was followed by the Prophet in every sense of the word. With ALL his wives! Not one, not two but all the eleven wives that he had.  They say that mothers have favourites from their children and it has been well talkied about that the Holy Prophet’s love for his wife Ayesha exceeded that that he showed to the other wives after Hazrt Khadijah passed away. (Prophet Mohammad had no other wife till Hazrat Khadijah lived). However, he used to treat all his wives equally, in love as well as matters of life.

During the truce of Hudaibiyah when the Makkans refused the entry of the muslim pilgrims to Makkah and the Prophet (PBUH) asked them to accept this refusal the pilgrims insisted of going to Makkah. So the Prophet (PBUH) asked his wife Umme Salma for advice and she asked him to lead by example. This advice comforted the Holy Prophet and he did as she said.

The Holy Prophet’s wives were always satisfied with what he had to offer them. He treated them equally in every sense of the word. For the wives who he married with children, he treated them as his own. Being human though there was a time when the Prophet’s woves asked him for more than he offered. The Prophet (PBUH) did not take this the wrong way but felt a little sad and spent the time alone, reflecting. At this Allah sent down an ayah: (O Prophet! say to your wives: If you desire this world’s life and its adornment, then come, I will give you a provision and allow you to depart a goodly departing. And if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the latter abode, then surely Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a mighty reward.) (Al-Ahzab 33: 28-9).

Ofcourse jealousy also existed a little but due to the efforts put in by the Holy Prophet and the wives, they were quelled. The wife of the Holy Prophet Safiya was often condemned by few of the other wives for being a Jew but the Holy Prophet helped her stand up to them and correct them in their stance.

Prophet Mohammad hence, supported all his wives wholeheartedly. His behavior with his wives led his followers to follow his example to the tee and win over his love too.  His wives played an important role in spreading the teachings of Islam in his lifetime together. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) encouraged this sentiment and devotion by them and was immensely grateful and respectful to his companions. Our Prophet made marriage the most beautiful institution through his example and he himself became the best husband the world has ever seen!

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