Author: Hazrat Mawlana M. Nafi Mohammadi
Translator: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
The Four Beloved Daughters of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) [Part Three]
The Unique Attributes of the daughters of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH):
It is rare to find affection and love between two wives of the same man (co-wives). Usually, each wife harbors resentment towards her co-wife, holding onto bitterness in her mind and thoughts. Now, the question is: if a cold remark is exchanged between them in such a tense environment, what will be the reaction? Will either of them insult the other’s husband? No! Because the husband of both is the same. Therefore, as the conflict escalates, each may disrespect the other’s father, as their fathers are separate and different.
Now, consider carefully: what guarantee is there that a woman who is to be placed in the position of co-wife to the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), will not be afflicted by the common emotions of women? And if these emotions are in opposition to the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), and a woman among the Muslim women stumbles because of it, will her faith not be endangered? Therefore, the only way to preserve the sanctity of the Prophet was for the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), to become the co-wife of her sister. This would both prevent the humiliation of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), and allow her sister to fill the void left by the deceased daughter, thus alleviating the grief of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), over the death of his daughter. Perhaps one of the reasons no girl is allowed to become the co-wife of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), is to preserve the sanctity of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH). For this reason, Uthman and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) did not marry another woman as long as the daughters of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), were alive. As Allama Jalaluddin Suyuti confirms this reality in “Khasais al-Kubra” and states in an independent discussion: «بابُ اختصاصه صلیاللهعلیهوسلم بِأَنَّ بَنَاتَهُ لَا يُتَزَوَّجُ عَلَيهِنَّ” [1]”
Usman and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) married other women after the death of the daughters of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH). However, during the lifetime of these noble women (the daughters of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), their husbands never remarried. This indicates that Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with them) were the true daughters of the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH).
Umm al-Mu’minin (Mother of the Believers) Hazrat Khadija al-Kubra (MABH):
Hazrat Khadija (MABH) belonged to the great and renowned Banu Asad family. She was a very noble and honorable woman and was considered one of the wealthiest women in Mecca during her time. Due to her family’s nobility, good reputation, and competence, she held a very high position among the people of Mecca, and everyone looked upon her with respect, considering her one of the most successful and fortunate women of Mecca.
The First Marriages of Hazrat Khadija (MABH):
Before Hazrat Khadija (MABH) married the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and attained this great honor, she had been married to two other men. One of them was Abu Hala Hind ibn Nabbash ibn Zurarah, from whom Hazrat Khadija (MABH) had a son named Hind ibn Abi Hala and a daughter named Hala bint Abi Hala. Her other husband was Atiq ibn A’idh al-Makhzumi, and Hazrat Khadija (MABH) had a daughter named Hind from him. These were the children of Hazrat Khadija (MABH) before her marriage to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), a fact agreed upon by both Shia and Sunni scholars.
Of course, historians differ on whether Khadija (MABH) first married Atiq ibn A’idh al-Makhzumi or Abu Hala. Some believe that she first married Atiq and then Abu Hala, while others believe that she first married Abu Hala and then Atiq. In any case, whichever came first, her children (PBUH) are the same three who were mentioned. For more information, friends can refer to the following sources:
– Majma’ al-Zawa’id, by al-Haythami, vol. 9, p. 219, discussion on the virtue of Khadija bint Khuwaylid (MABH).
– Kitab al-Muhabbar, by Abi Ja’far al-Baghdadi, pp. 78 and 79, discussion on the marriage of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
– Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 8, p. 8, discussion mentioning Khadija al-Kubra (MABH).
– Ansab al-Ashraf, by al-Baladhuri, vol. 10, p. 406, discussion on the lineages of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his children.
– Al-Sunan al-Kubra, by al-Bayhaqi, vol. 7, p. 71, Book of Marriage, chapter on naming the wives of the Prophet (PBUH).
– Al-Anwar al-Nu’maniyyah, by Sheikh Ni’matullah Jazairi (Shi’a), vol. 10, p. 367, first chapter discussing the light of the birth.
– Hayat al-Qulub, by Mulla Baqir Majlisi (Shi’a), vol. 2, p. 728, p. 52, chapter explaining the number of wives of the Prophet (PBUH), published by Nawal Kishore Press, Lucknow.
Note: Here, I would like to point out to researchers that there is disagreement regarding the father-in-law of Khadija (MABH), namely Atiq. Some historians have stated his name as “Abid,” while others have stated it as “Aidh.” Friends can refer to Sharh Mawahib al-Laduniyyah, by Sheikh Muhammad Zarqani, vol. 1, p. 200, discussion on the marriage of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with Khadija (MABH) for more information.
Continues…
Previous Part
[1] – Khasa’is al-Kubra, vol. 2, p. 255.
