The Marriage of Prophet Muhammad and Zainab bint Khuzaimah: History and Significance

Prophet Muhammad's Marriage with Zainab bint Khuzaimah ~ Hi, all readers! In this article, I will explain the wisdom and rewards for humanity behind the marriage of Prophet Muhammad and the woman who was nicknamed “the mother of the poor,” Zainab bint Khuzaimah bin 'Amir bin Sha'sha'ah bin Mu'awiyah bin Bakr bin Hauzan bin Manshur bin Ikrimah bin Khafshah bin Qais 'Ailan.

Zainab's mother is Hindun bint 'Auf bin Harits bin Hamathah, though another opinion states that her mother was Khaulah bint Auf bin Harith bin Hamathah. There are differing opinions among Muslim historians on this matter.

In addition to these differences, there are also disagreements about who Zainab bint Khuzaimah's husband was before she married Prophet Muhammad. The opinions are as follows:

• She was the wife of Thufail bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib. They then divorced, after which she married 'Ubaidah bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib, who died in the Battle of Badr. Following that, Prophet Muhammad married her. Some Muslim scholars who hold this view include Ibn Sayyidin Nas, al-Muhibb ath-Tabari, and Bintu Syathi'.
• She was the wife of Thufail bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib. They divorced, and then Prophet Muhammad married her. This view is supported by Tabari and Ibn Abdil Barr.
• She was the wife of Jahim bin Amru bin Harith. After him, she married 'Ubaidah, who died in the Battle of Badr. Then, Prophet Muhammad married her.

She was the wife of Abdullah bin Jahsy, who died in the Battle of Uhud. She was pregnant, but after her husband's death, she miscarried. After her period of 'iddah (waiting period) was completed, Prophet Muhammad married her in the same year.

There are also differences of opinion among Muslim scholars about the year of Prophet Muhammad's marriage to Zainab bint Khuzaimah. Bintu Syathi' and ash-Syaikh al-Khadlari said that the marriage took place in the 3rd year of Hijriah, while Dr. Muhammad bin Muhammad Abu Shahbah stated that the marriage was solemnized in the 4th year of Hijriah.

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When Prophet Muhammad proposed to Zainab bint Khuzaimah, she was 30 years old. Their marriage was officiated by Qubaishah bin Amru al-Hilali. Prophet Muhammad gave her a dowry of 400 dirhams. Another opinion suggests that the dowry was 500 dirhams. Their marriage did not last long, as she passed away shortly thereafter. Some scholars say their marriage lasted two months, others say three months, and some say eight months.

So, what was Prophet Muhammad's motive for marrying Zainab bint Khuzaimah?

Historical data suggests that Prophet Muhammad married Zainab bint Khuzaimah for two reasons:

• Because of her love and compassion for the poor. This first point highlights that acts of humanity should be rewarded with a higher good. At that time, there was no greater honor for a woman than to become the wife of Prophet Muhammad, the beloved of Allah Ta'ala.
• As a tribute to her late husband who had died.

Although Zainab bint Khuzaimah did not live long with Prophet Muhammad, if we examine her life history, we will find that she was a very kind woman. She truly loved the poor, often feeding them and giving alms. This is why she was given the nickname “the mother of the poor,” in addition to the great title “mother of the believers,” which she earned by being one of the Prophet's wives.

Thus, Zainab bint Khuzaimah passed away with three honors: as one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad, as a compassionate supporter of the poor, and as the mother of the believers. She died in the 4th year of Hijriah at the age of 30. May Allah bless her. She was buried in the Baqi cemetery. She was the first of Prophet Muhammad's wives to pass away after Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.

May Allah's mercy and forgiveness be upon Zainab bint Khuzaimah, the wife of Prophet Muhammad, the mother of the poor, and the mother of the believers. Ameen.

I think that's enough for this article. May it be useful! Ameen!

See you again in the next article!