Title: The Marriages of the Prophet (pbuh) Question: I wanted to know why the Holy Prophet married thirteen wives. He could help those women in some other way as well. Answer: For understanding the wisdom behind this act of the Prophet (pbuh), that is marrying eleven women and keeping one slave girl, one has to take into account his various positions. First, he was a human being; secondly, he was a Prophet ( Nabi ); thirdly, he was an Apostle ( Rasu'l ) and lastly, he was the seal of prophets, that is to say, that he was the last prophet. Another important thing to note is that he was not restricted by the Shari`ah to marry up to only four women at a time. In fact, there is a separate injunction, as far as his marriages are concerned, in the Qur'an, which is quite distinct from the one that is for ordinary Muslims. This injunction is given in Al-Ahzaab 33: 50-52. For his human and natural needs, the Prophet (pbuh) married twice. His first marriage was with Hadhrat Khadija (ra). During this time, he did not marry another woman. After her death, he married Hadhrat Sawdah (ra). The purpose of this marriage was purely a human need, that is after the death of Hadhrat Khadija (ra) his two younger daughters were left alone and he needed somebody to look after them. Therefore, he married Hadhrat Sawdah (ra) who was 50 at the time of marriage and so was the Prophet (pbuh). In the capacity of a Prophet ( Nabi ), he married four women, namely Hadhrat Ayesha (ra), Hadhrat Hafsa (ra), Hadhrat Zaynab bint-i-Khazeema (ra) and Hadhrat Ume Salama (ra). The Prophet's wives (pbuh) were also made associates in his prophetic mission. Especially for this purpose, he married Hadhrat Ayesha (ra) and it is a known fact that in fulfilling this responsibility she had no match. She became the mentor of the Ummah after the Prophet (pbuh)'s death. The rest of the three marriages were the result of social requirements. This social requirement was, taking care of widows and orphans as the Qur'an directed to do in Surah Al-Nisaa . Taking care of widows and orphans was a very big responsibility. It became necessary that the Prophet (pbuh) set an example for the Muslims in this regard to give them an incentive, as he was, in the capacity of a Nabi an example for the Muslims to follow. Hadhrat Hafsa (ra) was the daughter of Hadhrat Umar (ra). She was a widow and Hadhrat Umar (ra) was worried about her. Therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) married her. Hadhrat Zainab (ra) was a one time divorcee and a two-time widow. The Prophet (pbuh) married her in order to support her. However, with this marriage the number of wives allowed for Muslims, which is four wives at the most, came to an end. However, when after a few months Hadhrat Zainab (ra) died, it became possible for him to support another woman. So, he married Hadhrat Ume Salama (ra) who was a widow with four children. With this marriage again the number of wives allowed, came to an end as two of his wives had died and four were alive. In the capacity of the last Prophet he married one woman namely Hadhrat Zaynab bint-i-Jahash (ra). Hadhrat Zainab bint-i-Jahash (ra) was also a cousin of the Prophet (pbuh). Before this marriage, Allah revealed the special injunction regarding the law governing the marriages of the Prophet (pbuh), removing the limit of four wives for him, so that he could fulfill his responsibilities in his different capacities. This marriage was prompted by a special incident. Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) got married to Hadhrat Zayed (ra) - the freed slave and adopted son of the Prophet (pbuh). This marriage took place on the insistence of the Prophet (pbuh), although Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) did not want it. The reason was that she belonged to the elite of Makkah and Hadhrat Zayed (ra) was a former slave. The marriage remained on rocks throughout the period that they lived together because Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) considered herself socially superior to Hadhrat Zayed (ra). Tired by their regular clashes and Hadhrat Zaynab's (ra) indifference towards him, Hadhrat Zayed (ra) showed his intention to divorce Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) time and again. However, the Prophet (pbuh) persuaded him not to do so, because he felt responsible for any mishap, as the marriage had taken place on his insistence. Secondly the message of equality of slaves and free humans that he wanted to practically communicate through this marriage would fail in case of divorce. Nevertheless, because of these troubles of the marriage, foreseeing divorce as inevitable in the near future, the Prophet (pbuh) was already considering to marry Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) if as the last resort the incident of divorce did take place, in order to console her (because the marriage had taken place on the Prophet's insistence). Moreover, keeping in mind the social status of slaves, it was highly unlikely that any person of a good social standing would take Hadhrat Zaynab in marriage, as she would then be a divorcee of a slave. The only reluctance, which the Prophet (pbuh) had in this regard, was that marriage with the divorcee or the widow of one's adopted son was considered prohibited, exactly like marriage with the divorcee or the widow of one's real son. However, ultimately, Hadhrat Zayed (ra) divorced Hadhrat Zaynab (ra). It was at this juncture that the Qur'an intervened and in order to correct the wrong tradition (of holding the divorcee or the widow of one's adopted son prohibited), the Prophet (pbuh) was directed to marry Hadhrat Zaynab . While directing the Prophet (pbuh) to marry Hadhrat Zaynab (ra), the Qur'an has specifically mentioned that because as the last prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is also supposed to correct all the wrong traditions that are followed in the name of the Shari`ah and thereby complete God's religion in totality, therefore it is essential that this tradition be corrected by the Prophet (pbuh). Lastly the Prophet (pbuh) married four women in the capacity of an Apostle ( Rasul ). As a Rasul he was destined to have political control of Arabia. For this purpose war with the polytheistic tribes was inevitable. However, war brings the psyche of hate, revenge and resistance to truth. In order to curb that and to change it into love and compassion, he married Hadhrat Jowayriah (ra), Hadhrat Ume Habibah (ra), Hadhrat Safia (ra) and Hadhrat Maymoonah (ra). According to the Arabian tradition, when a person married a woman of a certain tribe all hostilities against that person from that tribe ceased. That was because the Arabs highly respected the relationship of a son-in-law. The above-mentioned four women were daughters of four famous tribal chiefs. Hadhrat Jowayriah (ra) was the daughter of the chief of Banu Mustalaq . Hadhrat Ume Habibah (ra) was the daughter of Abu Sufyan - the chief of Quraish . Hadhrat Safia (ra) was the daughter of one of the chiefs of the Jews of Khyber . Lastly Hadhrat Maymoonah (ra) who presented herself to the Prophet (pbuh), and the Prophet (pbuh) was allowed to accept such proposals by Divine injunction in the same verses which governed the law for his marriages, belonged to a respected family of Makkah and the chief of Ahl-i-Najd was her brother-in-law. All hostilities of these tribes ended or were greatly reduced after the Prophet (pbuh) married these four women. In fact after a short period these tribes accepted Islam. However. All these four women were either divorcees or widows at the time of their marriage with the Prophet (pbuh). As far as the slave girl Hadhrat Maria Qibtia (ra) is concerned, the Prophet (pbuh) kept her as a slave girl because he was barred from marrying those slave girls who were not part of the booty of war, in the same verse that governed his marriage regulations. Hadhrat Maria Qibtia (ra) was presented to the Prophet (pbuh) by the ruler of Egypt. He loved her very much and treated her very well, in order to set an example for the Muslims in treatment of their slaves. It should be kept in mind that although Islam condemned slavery, it did not abolish it instantly. The institution of slavery was so deep rooted in the society that it was not possible to do away with it at once. In fact Islam adopted a gradual approach towards it by giving incentives to free slaves in return for reward in the hereafter or by treating them fairly and respectably. It was during this intermediary period that the Prophet (pbuh) set an example of good treatment of the slaves, in the case of Hadhrat Maria Qibtia (ra), for the Muslims to follow. The other example of the he set in relation to slaves was in the case of Hadhrat Zayed (ra), whom he freed and made his adopted son. There is no strong evidence of any other slave girl in the household of the Prophet (pbuh). I hope this explanation answers your question. You can always get back if you are still unclear. However, this is only my opinion in this regard and I admit any chance of mistake in forming this opinion. I would be open to other points of view if based on stronger reasons. May Allah guide us all towards the right path. Note : This response is written by Mr. Amar Ellahi Lone