WHY DID PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh) HAVE ELEVEN WIVES?

Question: When a Muslim is allowed to marry a maximum of four wives, how is it that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had eleven wives? Answer: by Dr. Zakir Naik THE QURAN, IN SURAH NISA, CHAPTER 4 VERSE 3: States that a Muslim is allowed to marry a maximum of only four wives. Another verse in the Quran makes Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) an exception to this rule. IN SURAH AHZAB CHAPTER 33 VERSE 52: It is not lawful for thee (to marry more) women after this, nor to change them for (other) wives, even though their beauty attract thee, except any thy right hand should possess (as hand maidens) and Allah doth watch over all things . REASON TO MARRY MORE This verse clearly gives Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the permission to keep all his previous wives but prohibits him to marry any more women except those which his right hand possessed i.e. slave girls. The Prophet (pbuh) was allowed to keep all his previous wives because no one was allowed to marry the Prophets wives (ra) after they were divorced or widowed as they were ummul-momineen (mother of the believers). People falsely accuse the Prophet (pbuh) of being hypersexual, because he had eleven wives. If you read the life history of the Prophet (pbuh), only two of his marriages, one with Khadija (ra), and the other, with Ayesha (ra) were marriages in the normal course. All his other marriages were contracted as a necessity and were based on various considerations. UMMUL MUUMINUM The first marriage of the Prophet (pbuh) took place when he was 25 years of age and he married Khadija (ra) who was twice widowed, and was 40 years old. If the Prophet (pbuh) was hypersexual, why would he marry a woman who was 15 years older than him

and already twice widowed? Until his first wife, Khadija (ra) was alive, he never took a second wife. Khadija (ra) expired when the Prophet (pbuh) was 50 years age and only after this, did he marry the others. If he married eleven wives for sexual reasons, he should have had multiple wives during his youth. Contrary to this, history tells us that all his marriages with his remaining ten wives took place when he was between the age of 53 and 59 years.

All his wives (ra) were between the age of 36 to 50 years, except for two wives (ra).
His reputation had spread far and wide, not only in Arabia, but also in the neighbouring countries. Could he not have easily got younger and lovelier girls to marry? Most of his marriages were for political gain and for the spread of Islam. In Arabia, no one could carry on the work of reform and upliftment unless he belonged to, or was related to some specific and respectable tribe. Thus, in the interest of his mission, the Prophet (pbuh) needed inter Banu Mustaliq -tribal relationships. He wanted to weld the quarrelling tribal and clannish factions into one Muslim ummah, as brethren in faith (Ikhwan fid-din). DUE TO REDUCE THE CONFLICT BETWEEN STRIVES For instance, his wife Juwayriyya (RA) belonged to the Banu Mustaliq clan, which was very powerful. The entire clan was a bitter enemy of Islam from the start, and they were finally suppressed by military action. When the Prophet (pbuh) married Juwayriyya (ra), the Muslims released all their prisoners, saying that they could not keep the prophets relatives in bondage. It was due to this marriage that the whole clan of accepted Islam and became peaceful and obedient to the laws of the new Islamic state. Maymunah (ra) also came from a very powerful and recalcitrant clan from Najd and was the sister of the wife of the chief of the clan in those days. It was this clan which had brutally murdered seventy members of an Islamic missionary deputation. The Prophets (pbuh) marriage with Maymunah (ra) changed the whole atmosphere and Najd accepted Madinahs authority under the leadership of the Prophet (pbuh). CONQUEST OF MAKKAH Umm Habibah (ra) was the daughter of the Quraysh chief, Abu Sufyan. It was after the Prophets (pbuh) marriage to Umm Habibah, that Abu Sufyan never fought against the Prophet (pbuh). This marriage was largely responsible for the conquest of Makkah. Furthermore, Umm Habibah was first married to a certain Ubaydullah and emigrated with him to Abyssinia, where Ubaydullah became a Christian and a drunkard. Excessive consumption of wine killed him since it was a double shock to her that her husband had become a Christian and later died, she was badly in need of solace. Safiyyah (ra) was the daughter of a very prominent Jewish chief, Huyyah ibn Aktab. In consideration of her family status, she could not be merged into an ordinary household. So the Prophet (pbuh) himself married her. After this marriage, the Jews did not dare to revive their opposition to the Prophet (pbuh) and his mission. STRENGTHEN THE UNITY BETWEEN COMPANIONS In the case of Hafsah (ra), it was the Prophets (pbuh) desire to bind in relationship with those of his great companions (sahabah) who were his advisers and who were trained for

future leadership. He had married Abu Bakrs (ra) daughter, married two of his own daughters to Uthman (ra) and one to Ali (ra). Umar (ra) could not be kept outside this wide circle of relationship. By marrying Umars daughter Hafsah (ra), the Prophet (pbuh) forged a strong bond of relationship within the Islamic movement thus strengthening the pillars of the ummah. TO REDUCE FAMILY PROBLEMS The Prophet (pbuh) had married his first cousin, Zaynab (ra), to his freed slave, Zayd ibn Haritha, whom he had adopted as his son. This marriage of Zaynab (ra) with Zayd (ra) was intended to break the family and social barriers, but the marriage did not prove to be successful and ended in divorce. When the Prophet (pbuh) saw that Zaynab (ra) was left alone, he felt his responsibility in the matter. He also had to break another convention, according to which an adopted son became a real son. This difficult problem was solved by the Prophets (pbuh) marriage to Zaynab (ra) (as mentioned in the Quran, in Surah Ahzab, chapter no 33 verse 37) to annul that pre-Islamic conception and promulgate an Islamic law instead. SURAH AHZAB, CHAPTER NO 33 VERSE 37: 37. Behold! Thou Didst say to one who had received the Grace of Allah and Thy favour: "Retain Thou (in wedlock) Thy wife, and fear Allah." but Thou Didst hide In Thy heart that which Allah was about to make manifest: Thou Didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that Thou shouldst fear Allah. then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), we joined Her In marriage to thee: In order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the believers In (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (Their marriage) with them. and Allah.s command must be fulfilled. RESCUE FROM WIDOWHOOD Another lady Zaynab (ra), Umm al Masakin (mother of the poor and helpless), daughter of Khuzayma ibn Al-Haith, belonged to the Hawazin clan. Her husband was killed in the battle of Uhud. To rescue her from widowhood, the Prophet (pbuh) took her as his wife.

After the revelation of the verse in Surah Ahzab, chapter 33 verse 52, the Prophet (pbuh) only married Mary the Copt who was a slave girl sent as a present by the Christian Muqauqas of Egypt. Since the Christian Chieftain of Egypt sent Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) a slave girl as a present, he could not refuse this gift as a refusal would have disturbed the political alliance. He could not keep her as a slave girl, since Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) preached that slaves should be freed. The only option left with him was to marry her, since the Quran gave him the permission to do so. Later on she became the mother of Ibrahim (ra) who died in his infancy.

WHY PROPHET (SWS) MARRIED 11 WIVES? (Q). My name is Sameer, I am a student I would like to ask this question. You have put up an there is an upper limit in Islam for women, for man to marry four wives - But why did the Prophet Mohammed (Peace by upon him), have eleven wives and there is an insinuation, that he was hyper sexual? Answer: by Dr. Zakir Naik The brother has asked the question that, since Islam allows the maximum of four wives, how come Prophet Muhammed had eleven wives. I do agree with the brother, the Quran mentions in SURAH NISA, CHAPTER 4, VERSE NO. 3: LIMITS IN GENERAL FOR ALL 3. If ye fear that ye shall not be able to Deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to Deal justly (with them), then only one, or (A captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice. that you can maximum have 4 wives. But there is another Verse in SURAH AHZAB, CH. 33, VERSE 52: PROPHET(SWS) WAS AN EXCEPTION which says that... O Prophet you cannot marry more women, neither can you exchange any other women for the present one, even if their beauty attracts you, except what your right hand possesses. This Verse of the Quran, Surah Ahzab, Ch. 33, Verse No. 52, gives the permission to the Prophet, to keep all his wives, but at the same time, cannot marry any other women, except which your right hand possesses. If you analyse why Prophet Muhammed was not allowed to marry more wives - and besides that, he could not neither divorce them, because there is one more Verse in the Quran, which says that As for the wives of the Prophet, whether they are divorced or whether they become widows, no person can marry them, because they are Um-ul

Mominin they are the Mothers of the believers. So since no one could marry the wives of the Prophet, but natural the Prophet could not divorce them also. And if you analyse, that all the eleven marriages which the Prophet did all were either for social reform or for political reason - Were not to please his sex. FIRST MARRIAGE BIBI KHATIJA (RA) The first marriage that he did, was with Bibi Khatija, (May Allah be pleased with her). She was at the age of 40,when he was only 25 - And she was a widow twice. Imagine, if he married for sex, why would he marry a woman who was fifteen years elder to him, and who was a widow twice. And if you analyse, till the time Bibi Khatija (May Allah be pleased with her) till the time she was alive, Prophet Muhammed did not take any other wives. When he was the age of 50, Bibi Khatija (May Allah be pleased with her), she expired. Only between the age of 53 to 56, did Prophet take all the other wives. SECOND MARRIAGE BIBI AYESHA (RA) Imagine if the Prophet was hyper sexual, he would have married at a young age. Science tells us The older the man gets, the less sexual he gets. It is an insinuation, on the Prophet. Only 2 of his marriages were normal - that with Bibi Khatija, and that with Bibi Ayesha, (May Allah be pleased with them both). All the other marriages were due to circumstances either of a social reform, or a political gain. If you analyse all, only 2 wives were below the age of 36 - All the other wives were between the age of 36 and 50. You can give instances each marriage had some reason. For example Bibi Johariya, who was from the Banu-Mustalik tribe which was very powerful tribe, and which was at logger heads with Islam - After a certain time, they were suppressed by the Islamic Army, and later on, the Prophet married her. And after he married her, the companions saidHow can we keep as captives, the relatives of the Prophet - And they freed those peopleand after that, both these tribes became friendly. There are examples, when he married Bibi Maimoona (May Allah be pleased with her), who was the sister of the wife of the chief of the tribe of Najad, which killed 70 Muslim, men of the Islamic deputation. After Mohammed (May peace be upon him) when he married her, they accepted Medina as their leadership, and they accepted Prophet as their leader. All the all the marriages which he did, had some political reason or social reform. He married Umme Habiba, who was the daughter of the Chief of Mecca, Abu-Sufiyan - but natural this marriage played a great importance in the conquest of Mecca. Other example like Bibi Safiya (May Allah be pleased with her), she was the daughter of a powerful Jewish leader - After this, the Jewish became very friendly to the Muslims. If you see, all the marriages had some social reforms - he married the daughter of Hazrat Ummer, Hafsa (May Allah be pleased with her), to get closer relationship between the companions.

As a social reform, he married a lady who was divorcedthe first cousin Zainab - After she was divorced, he married her. All the marriages have some political reason or social reform - So all his marriages were based, to improve the community and to better relationships - It was not for sex. Hope that answers the question.

Why did prophet Mohammad (pbuh) marry many wives, and who were they, their names and brief background on each one of them (may Allah bless them all) [1]

When people hear that the prophet had many wives they conclude without much thought that the prophet was a sensuous man. However, a quick historical review of his marriages, proves otherwise. When he was twenty-five years old he married for the first time. His wife, Khadijah, was fifteen years older than him. She remained the only wife of the prophet for the next twenty-five years, until she died (may Allah be pleased with her). Only after her death, did the prophet marry other women. Now, it is obvious that if the prophet was after physical pleasure he did not have to wait until he was more than fifty years old to start marrying more wives. He lived in a society in which it was quite acceptable to have many wives. But the prophet remained devoted to his only wife for twenty-five years. When she died she was sixty-five years old. His later marriages were for various reasons. Some marriages were with the view to help the women whose husbands had been killed while they were defending their faith. Others were with a view to cement relationships with devoted followers like Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him. Yet others were to build bridges with various tribes who were otherwise at war with the Muslims. When the prophet became their relative through marriage, their hostilities calmed down, and much bloodshed was averted. Recent non-Muslim writers who had the opportunity to study the life of the prophet first-hand reach a similar conclusion about his plural marriages. JOHN L. ESPOSITO, PROFESSOR OF RELIGION AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AT THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS, (A PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND ISLAMIC STUDIES AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY ALSO THE DIRECTOR OF PRINCE ALWALEED BIN TALAL CENTER FOR MUSLIMCHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY.) says that most of these marriages had political and social motives (ISLAM: THE STRAIGHT PATH, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 1988, P. 19). This he explained as follows: As was customary for Arab chiefs, many were political marriages to cement alliances. Others were marriages to the widows of his companions who had fallen in combat and were in need of protection (JOHN L. ESPOSITO, ISLAM: THE STRAIGHT PATH, PP. 19-20). Esposito reminds us of the following historical fact: Though less common, polygyny was also permitted in biblical and even in post biblical Judaism. From Abraham, David, and Solomon down to the reformation period, polygyny was practiced (p. 19). ANOTHER NON-MUSLIM CAESAR E. FARAH WRITES AS FOLLOWS: In the prime of his youth and adult years Muhammad remained thoroughly devoted to Khadijah and would have none other for consort. This was an age that

looked upon plural marriages with favor and in a society that in pre-Biblical and post-Biblical days considered polygamy an essential feature of social existence. David had six wives and numerous concubines (2 Samuel 5:13; 1 Chronicles 3:1-9, 14:3) and Solomon was said to have had as many as 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Solomons son Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines (2 Chronicles 11:21). The New Testament contains no specific injunction against plural marriages. It was commonplace for the nobility among the Christians and Jews to contract plural marriages. Luther spoke of it with toleration (CAESAR E. FARAH, ISLAM: BELIEFS AND OBSERVANCES, 4TH EDITION, BARRONS, U.S. 1987, P. 69). Caesar Farah then concluded that Muhammads plural marriages were due partly to political reasons and partly to his concern for the wives of his companions who had fallen in battle defending the nascent Islamic community (p. 69). 1. KHADIJAH (ra): She was 40 years old when she proposed to marry the Prophet when he was 25 years old. After 15years of their marriage he became a prophet. She had been married twice before she married Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Her first husband was Aby Haleh Al Tamemy and her second husband was Oteaq Almakzomy. They had both died leaving Khadijah a widower. Khadijah died in 621A.D. This was the same year the Prophet (sws) ascended into heaven (Meraj). 2. SAWDA BINT ZAMA(ra): Her first husband was Al Sakran Ibn Omro Ibn Abed Shamz. He died within a few days after his return from Ethiopia. She was 65 years old, poor, and had no one to care for her. This was why Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) married her. 3. AISHA SIDDIQA(ra): A woman named Kholeah Bint Hakeem suggested that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) marry Aishah, the daughter of Aby Bakr, to form a close relationship with Aby Bakrs family. She was already engaged to Jober Ibn Al Moteam Ibn Oday. At this time Jober was not yet a Muslim. The people of Makkah did not object to Aishah becoming married because although she was young, she was mature enough to understand the responsibility of marriage. Prophet Muhammad (bpuh) was engaged to Aishah for 2 years before he married her. Aby Bakr was the first leader after Prophet Muhammads (pbuh) death. 4. HAFSAH BINT UMAR (ra): She was the daughter of Omar, the second Calipha. Omar asked Othman to marry Hafsah. Othman refused because his wife had recently died and Othman did not want to remarry. Omar then went to Aby Bakr but he also refused to marry Hafsah. Aby Bakr knew that the Prophet had already considered marrying Hafsah. Omar then went to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and complained that Othman and Aby Bakr did not want to marry his daughter. The Prophet told Omar that his daughter will marry and Othman will also remarry. Othman married the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Om Kolthoom, and Hafsah married the Prophet. This made Omar and Othman both happy.

5. ZAYNAB BINT KHUZAYMA (ra): Her husband died in the battle of Uhud, leaving her poor and with several children. She was old when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) married her. She died 3 months after she married the Prophet 625 A.D. 6. SALAMA BINT UMAYYA (ra): Her husband, Abud Allah Abud Al Assad Ibn Al Mogherah, died leaving Hend poor and with many children. Hend was at least 65 years old at the time. Aby Bakr and several others asked her to marry them, but because she loved her husband very much, she refused the marriages offers. But finally she accepted Prophet mohammads offer to marry her and take care of her children. 7. ZAYNAB BINT JAHSH (ra): She was the daughter of Prophet Muhammads aunt, Omameh Bint Abud Almutaleb. The Prophet arranged for Zaynab to marry Zayed Ibn Hareathah Al Kalby. This marriage did not last and the Prophet received a verse in the Quran which stated that if they became divorced, then the Prophet must marry Zaynab (Sura 33:37). 8. JUWAYRIYA BINT AL-HARITH (ra): Her first husbands name was Masafeah Ibn Safuan. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wanted Juayreahs tribe (Beni Al Mostalag)to convert to Islam. Juayreah became a prisoner after the Muslims won the Battle of Al Mostalaq. Juayreahs father came to the Prophet and offered a payment for her return. The Prophet asked her father to give her a choice. When she was given a choice she said she accepted Islam and Prophet Muhammad as the last Gods Messenger. The Prophet then married her. Her tribe of Beni Almostalag accepted Islam. 9. SAFIYYA BINT HUYAYY (ra): She was from the tribe of Beni Nadir, who were from the children of Levi (Israel). She was married twice before, then she married Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Her first husband Salam Ibn Moshkem, and her second husband was Kenanah Ibn Al Rabeeah. 10. UMMU HABIBA BINT SUFYAN (ra): Her first husband was Aubed Allah Jahish. He was the son of the aunt of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Aubed Allah died in Ethiopia. The king of Ethiopia arranged the marriage of Ramelah to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). 11. MAYAMUNA BINT AL-HARITH (ra): She was 26years old when she married Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Her first husband was Abu Rahma Ibn Abed Alzey. When the Prophet opened Makkah in 630 AD, she came to the Prophet, accepted Islam and proposed to marry him. Her actions encouraged Many Makkahans to accept Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). 12. MARIA AL-QABTIYYA (ra): She was sent to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a hand maid servant from the king of Egypt. Maria had a son from the Prophet. His name was Ibrahim.

REFERENCES

Why did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) marry many wives??, http://ilalliqa.wordpress.com/2007/07/04/why-did-prophet-muhammadpbuh-marry-many-wives/, July 4, 2007 at 9:02 am (H|kmaH, K|saH2, Prophet Muhammad pbuh), (Acc 2009-03-15). Wiki Answers - Why did Prophet Muhammad PBUH married to many wives, < http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_Prophet_Muhammad_PBUH_marr ied_to_many_wives> (Acc 2009-03-15). John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, (Professor of Religion and Director of the Centre for International Studies at the College of the Holy Cross) pp. 19-20. Caesar E. Farah, Islam: Beliefs and Observances, 4th edition, Barrons, U.S. 1987, p. 69. Naik, Dr. Zakir, Lectures on the topics:- Focus on Islam, and Womens rights in Islam. Question and Answer session, www.peacetv.tv and www.youtube.com. Compiled and Edited by Md. Naim Khan, Islamic Propagation Center, Sweden, info@ipc-sweden.com, www.ipc-sweden.com.