Prophet Muhammad married 12 women in his life, who are referred to as ‘Mothers of the Believers’ (Umm al-Mu’min), as a sign of honor and respect.All his marriages were accomplished for different political, or social reasons, and perhaps as a matter of the heart. Kadija was his first wife.Wives of the prophet were either divorcees, captives of the war, or widows, except Aisha and Maymunah. Prophet’s opponents often accuse him of being lustful, however, Laura Veccia Veglieri, puts it in her book, ‘An Interpretation Of Islam’, that had he been a sensual personality who was popular amongst the masses, he would not have married widows and captives at a time when women’s piousness was a prerequisite for a marriage. Moreover, widows and divorced women were not allowed to remarry in Arabia at the time.Furthermore, Laura adds that Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) wives were neither all beautiful, nor young, except two and he was always fair to each of his wives. Read on to know more about Prophet’s wives and why the information is valued a lot in the Muslim religion.Muhammad’s First Wives’ NamesMuhammad (SAW) had his first marriage at the age of 25, to Khadija bint Khuwaylid, a widow and a successful businesswoman who was at the time 40 years old. The prophet and messenger of God stayed in this monogamous relationship with only one wife until she died after 25 years of marriage, and then he married Sawdah bint Zam’ah before departing for Medina. Here is a list of Muhammad’s (SAW), first wives’ names.Aisha bint Abu Bakr was the daughter of the messenger’s intimate friend, Abu Bakr, and the dearest wife of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Muhammad-Aisha shared a good relationship. She is regarded as one of the favorite wives of the prophet.Hafsah bint Umar was widowed when her husband was martyred in the battle of Badr and later Muhammad (SAW) married her. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid was the first and dearest wife of prophet Muhammad (SAW). She was a rich merchant and a widow, who proposed to the prophet for marriage at the age of 40 while he was 25. She was the mother of six children with Muhammad, two sons, and four daughters. She died in 619 CE. The most well-known Muhammad spouse. She stayed with Muhammad for 25 years.Sawda bint Zama’h was the woman whom the prophet married before leaving for Medina. She had five or six children from his previous marriage with As-Sakran ibn ‘Amr. Zaynab bint Khuzayma, the same battle that widowed Hafs bint Umar, Zaynab bint Khuzayma also lost her husband, Ubaydah ibn al-Harith. Her husband died in the battle of Uhud. Later the prophet married her and gave her a special name ‘Umm al-Miskin’ which means the mother of the poor. She is also one of the most respected wives of the prophet.Muhammad’s Last Wives’ NamesMuhammad (SAW) married twelve women in his life, of which ten were either captive, divorced, or widows. Here is a list of his last wives’ names of Muhammad that you should know.Juwairiya bint al-Harith was a captive whom Muhammad (SAW) married and then about a hundred captive families were freed. Maria al-Qibtiyya was presented as a gift to Muhammad (SAW) by a delegate from Byzantine, who was later married to the prophet. Maymuna bint al-Harith proposed Muhammad (SAW) when he visited Mecca for the Treaty of Hudaybiyah. The proposal was accepted and both married. One of the last wives of the prophet.Ramla bint Abi Sufyan (Umm Habiba) was asked for her hand in marriage by Muhammad through ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damri who was sent to King Negus. Rayhana bint Zayd was a Jewish woman whom the prophet married for the purpose of reconciliation between tribes. Safiyya bint Huyayy Ibn Khattab hailed from a Jewish clan of Banu Nadir. When prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) married her, she was a divorcee. Umm Salama (Hind bint Suhayl) was a widow of Abu Salamah and a pious Muslim. Noticing her plight and she was reaching old age as well, she was proposed to by many but was finally married to prophet Muhammad (SAW). Zaynab bint Jahsh was the paternal cousin of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who was married to Zayd, the prophet’s adopted son. The marriage soon fell out and she was finally married to the apostle. Muhammad’s Favorite Wives’ NamesThe prophet was fair in his treatment of all his wives. However, Khadija, his first wife, and Aisha bint Abu Bakr held a special place in his heart. They were his dearest and most beloved wives. Let us walk you through some major facts and details about the favorite wives of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).Aisha bint Abu Bakr was a beloved and favorite wife of Muhammad (PBUH). She was the daughter of Abu Bakr. Her age at the time of marriage to the prophet stands as a disputed matter. Nonetheless, the prophet’s head was in Aisha’s lap when he closed his eye on this word, as she relates.Khadija bint Khuwaylid was a widow and a rich merchant for who Muhammad (PBUH) worked as a caravan manager. His skills left the woman impressed and she proposed to him through her friend. Muhammad (SAW) was 25 at the time of the proposal and Khadijah was 40 years old. Nonetheless, both accepted each other and she became one of the dearest wives of the prophet. Meanings Of Muhammad’s Wives’ NamesProphet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married eleven women after his beloved wife Khadija passed away. He married them for different reasons such as supporting widows and divorced women by setting an example of remarriage, which was difficult at the time. His other aims were to incorporate harmony and connection with his companions, spread the message of Islam by unifying diverse clans, and fortify the sources and credibility of his private life. Here is a list of Muhammad’s (SAW) wives’ name with their meanings. Aisha bint Abu Bakr was a woman who was married to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and she was one of her favorite wives.Hafsa bint Umar was another widow whom the prophet married. She was the fourth wife of the prophet whose ex-husband had died in the battle of Badr. Juwairiya bint al-Harith was a noblewoman who was enslaved in a skirmish but was later proposed for marriage to the prophet. Khadija bint Khuwaylid was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was a widow when both married. Maria al-Qibtiyya was a Coptic Christian from Egypt who married the prophet and had a son Ibrahim, who expired in infancy. Maymuna bint al-Harith’s original name was Barra but the prophet called her Maymuna when he married her. Ramla bint Abi Sufyan (Umm Habiba) was another widow whom Prophet Muhammad (SAW) married after he came to know about her husband’s demise. Rayhana bint Zayd was a Jewish lady who came from the Banu Nadir tribe and later married prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Safiyya bint Huyayy Ibn Al Khattab was a woman of high status who hailed from a famous Jewish tribe. Muhammad (SAW) proposed to marry Safiyya with the aim of establishing peace between the two clans. Sawdah bint Zama’h, the second wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was another widow who remarried the prophet. Umm Salama (Hind bint Suhayl) was a devout Muslim woman who had married Khalid ibn al-Waleed before she was married to the prophet. Zaynab bint Jahsh was the paternal cousin of the apostle whom he married. Zaynab bint Khuzayma was another of Muhammad’s (SAW) spouses whose husband got killed in the battle of Badr. Muhammad Children NamesMuhammad (peace be upon him) had a total of seven children of which four were daughters and three were sons. Of all his wives, he had children from just two, Khadija bint Khuwaylid and Maria al Qibtiyya. He also adopted a son Zayd ibn Harith, while Shia scholars pose that three of his daughters were adopted as well. Here is a list of all the names of prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) kids you should know. Abdullah ibn Muhammad was a son of Muhammad (SAW) and Khadija, who was given the name of his grandfather. Just like his son al-Qasim, Abdullah too shut his eyes to the world in childhood only. Al-Qasim was the first child of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Khadijah. He did not live beyond three years of age. Al-Qasim is buried in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Fatimah is the youngest and most beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad and Khadija who was married to Ali ibn Abi Talib, who became the 4th caliph later. Ibrahim was the youngest child of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Maria al-Qibtiyya.Ruqayyah was born after Zaynab and was a daughter of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Khadijah. She was married to the third caliph of Islam, Uthman. Umm Kulthum was the third daughter of Muhammad (SAW) and Khadijah, who was born in Mecca. She became Muslim immediately after her mother Khadija.Zainab was the first daughter of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadijah, his first wife. She was married to Abu al-As bin al-Rabi, her maternal cousin.
Prophet Muhammad married 12 women in his life, who are referred to as ‘Mothers of the Believers’ (Umm al-Mu’min), as a sign of honor and respect.
