After Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married Hadhrat Umme Salma (radhiAllaahu anha), he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha). Her mother’s name was Umeema, who was the real paternal aunt of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha) was first married to Hadhrat Zaid bin Haaritha (radhiAllaahu anhu), who was the freed slave of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). After he had divorced her, then Allaah Ta`ala had given her in Nikah to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
FIRST NIKAH
Her first husband, Hadhrat Zaid bin Haaritha (radhiAllaahu anhu)’s father’s name was Haaritha and his mother’s name was Sa`da. His mother was taking him to the family home when some hijackers took hold of him and sold him in the Bazaars of Macca Mukarrama. He was bought by Hakeem bin Hizaam, who was the nephew of Hadhrat Khadija (radhiAllaahu anha). He bought Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) for 400 dirhams and gave him to Hadhrat Khadija (radhiAllaahu anha). When she married Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), then she (radhiAllaahu anha) gave him as a gift to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Nabi-e-Kareem (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) freed him and made him like a son. He became known as Zaid bin Muhammed. He grew extremely fond and attached to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that when his father came to know that he was in Macca, he set out there to find him. When he was found, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) gave him (Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) ) a choice, and he chose staying with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) rather than going back to his family. When Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) became mature, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made his Nikah to ‘Barkah’, his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s slave-girl. Her title was Ummul Ayman. She ‘brought up’ Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) when she was in her youth. She belonged to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s mother or father, and came as part of his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s inheritance. She also accepted Islaam during the initial stages. She also made Hijrat to Madinah Shareef. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had great respect for her and he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to say that after his mother she was his mother. Sometimes he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to say that she is part of his family. The son of Hadhrat Zaid, Usama (radhiAllaahu anhu) was born of Ummul Ayman (radhiAllahu anha).
Whilst Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) was married to Ummul Ayman (radhiAllaahu anha), Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) intended to marry him to Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha). When she received the proposal, Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha) and her brother, Abdur Rahman, regarded it as being inappropriate that a Quraish woman marry a freed slave. Because of this Allaah Ta`ala revealed the following Aayat:
“It is not (admissible) for any believing male of female to have a choice in a matter which Allaah Ta`ala and His Rasul has decreed. And for that person who disobeys Allaah Ta`ala and His Rasul, indeed he manifestly astray.”
When the news of this Aayat was reported to Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha) and her brother, she consented to marry him. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) performed the Nikah, and stipulated the Mehr. Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha) lived with her husband, and they stayed as husband and wife.
By this marriage, the action of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) proved that incompatibility in marriage (although stressed on and advised by the Shariah), is not a hard and fast rule. A marriage where there is incompatibility, will be accepted in the Shariah. This incident also proves that piety overshadows everything else. Here Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) marries his real paternal aunt’s daughter to a freed slave. An Aayat is also revealed with regard to this, which will be recited until the day of Qiyaamah. All this entrenches in the mind, especially those who hold high the pride of family lineage, that in Islaam a person’s piety is the ‘yard-stick’.
COMING INTO THE SANCTUARY OF NABUWWAT
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) remained in the Nikah of Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) for just over a year. There was no affinity between the two of them, and eventually Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and complained about Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha), and he said that he intended to divorce her. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) advised him: “Keep your wife and fear Allaah Ta`ala.” Nevertheless, they could still not agree. Later, with the consent of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) he divorced her. After she had completed her Iddat, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) with his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s proposal to Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha). At that time she was kneading dough. Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu) told her: “Oh Zainub, glad tidings, Rasulullaah has sent me with a proposal (of marriage) for you.” Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) said that she does not do anything without consulting with Allaah Ta`ala first. Saying this she readied herself for Istikhaara Salaat. Here she began her Salaat, and on the other side Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was receiving Wahi, that: “Thus when Zaid had terminated with her (Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)), WE have given her in marriage to you.”
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) became Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s wife. She ‘prided’ herself in this over the other wives that their guardians had given them in marriage to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), whilst she was given by Allaah Ta`ala. Since Allaah Ta`ala had revealed an Aayat regarding Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s Nikah to her, she was privileged over the other wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). After this Aayat, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went to Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)’s house without her consent. From this Nikah, we learn a few things:
1. If someone takes (adopts) a child as his son (or daughter), he (or she) does not became the real son of the adopted father.
It will be correct for one to marry the (divorced or widowed) wife of his adopted son. The Arabs considered this as an evil thing, as they regarded an adopted child as one’s real (blood) child. When Allaah Ta`ala had informed Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that he should marry Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha), he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) concealed it as he realised that people will consider this an evil and it would not auger well. Allaah Ta`ala had intended to divest this belief from the Arabs, that according to Islaam it is permissible to marry the (divorced) wife of one’s adopted son. Allaah Ta`ala revealed the following Aayat: “And you kept this concealed in your heart, which Allaah Ta`ala wished to make clear. And you feared the people, when Allaah Ta`ala is the All Deserving to be feared.”
This Aayat was a warning to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Hassan Basri (rahmatullahi alaihi) says that no other Aayat was revealed which was more severe (in reprimand) to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) than this Aayat. If Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had the choice to conceal any Aayat from the Qur`aan Shareef, then this Aayat was most deserving that he conceal it. Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) also mentions this about this Aayat.
2. If a woman receives a proposal, then she should make Istikhaara. In this way she is consulting with Allaah Ta`ala, as to whether this is a good match for her.
This is also clear that if a woman understands that the man who is proposing to her, is a good match, nevertheless, she should still make Istikhaara, as there is great benefit therein. Allaah Ta`ala is the One who knows All things and He is the One who knows the unseen and the future. It could be possible that this woman is not capable of appreciating this prospective husband, and she thereby earns Allaah Ta`ala’s anger due to her being insubordinate etc.. Note that there is no man better than Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and yet Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) made Istikhaara, when he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) proposed.
3. All Muslims are ‘brother’s in Islaam. Hatred and opposition is not the work of believers.
When a man and woman get married, they strengthen ties of relationship between themselves and their families. if they get divorced then, too both parties should harbour no malice nor hatred for the other. They are still Muslim ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’. They should still have respect for each other. Each should desire good for the other. It is probably for this reason that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent Hadhrat Zaid with the proposal to Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha). In our society, today, we have this evil attitude, that if a man and his wife get divorced, they become enemies of each other, even their families become enemies of each other.
4. Hadhrat Zaid (radhiAllaahu anhu)’s name appears in the Qur`aan Shareef, and no other Sahabi’s name appears in the Qur`aan-e-Paak.
The slave of Allaah Ta`ala’s messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s name appears in the Qur`aan Shareef, and he is privileged to be given the cousin of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in marriage to him. His first wife (Ummul Ayman) was that personality, who Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) regarded as (being equal to) his mother.
WALIMAH
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) was married to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) on in Zul Qa`da 5 A.H. Some historians mention the year as being the 3rd A.H., however the former is the correct one. After she spent the first night with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) gave a Walimah on the following day. He had a goat slaughtered and fed it for the Walimah. Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) says that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not make such a Walimah for any of his other wives.
Besides the goat which Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had slaughtered, Umme Salim (radhiAllaahu anha), the mother of Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) also sent some ‘Hareera’ (a type of a batter). At least 300 people attended this Walimah and filled their bellies.
Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) to go and call so and so, and whoever he meets on the way, to the Walimah. Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) said that he called so many persons that the room of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was filled to it’s capacity. It was said to the people to make groups on ten and sit down. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) placed his Mubarak (blessed) hands in the food and it increased. The food had so much of Barkat, that all the people ate therefrom and still there was left-over. After everyone had eaten, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) to lift the pot of food. Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) says that he could not ascertain whether the pot was more full then or before everyone had eaten (i.e. owing to the Barkat bestowed by Allaah Ta`ala upon the food).
REVELATION OF HIJAAB
Until then the order for Purdah was not yet revealed. At the occasion of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s Nikah to Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha), when he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) called everyone to the Walimah, Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) sat alone, facing the wall. Then the Aayat for Purdah was revealed. Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) reports: “ Why and where was the order for Purdah revealed. I know this better than anyone else. The first time the order for Purdah was revealed, was on the occasion of the Walimah of Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha). In the morning after the Nikah, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) called the people to the Walimah. After the people who were invited had eaten, most of them went away, but some remained behind and were sitting and talking. They stayed for quite a while. This caused great difficulty to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) wanted them to leave, however he could not tell them to do so, given the situation. In order for them to leave, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) stood up and walked away, I also followed him. He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) walked upto the doorstep of Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha), and went back, in the hope that they had left. I also returned with him. When he(sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came back, he saw that these people were still sitting there. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) again went, towards the room of Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha), and when he came upto the doorstep, he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) returned, hoping that they had left. I followed him (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) returned, he found that they had left. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) then placed a Purdah (screen) between the two of us, and the Aayat of Purdah was revealed.” This is the narration of Bukhari Shareef.
In Muslim Shareef, the narration states: “When the people left, then I (Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) also started entering the room after Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). However, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) placed a Purdah between the two of us, and the Aayat of Purdah was revealed.”
The Aayat which is advice for the believers, is as follows:
“O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet’s houses, except when leave is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for it’s preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse, without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go), but Allaah Ta`ala is not shy of (telling you) the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.”
Hadhrat Anas (radhiAllaahu anhu) says that he was the first to hear this Aayat. He further says that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went outside and related this Aayat to the Sahabah.
NOTE: We had narrated a Hadith from Bukhari Shareef, regarding Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha), where it was mentioned that the Aayat for Purdah was revealed because of her incident, where she was going to relieve herself, and Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) recognised her and said what he had said (refer to this in the section of Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha). There is no conflict between this that the Aayat for Purdah was revealed for any one of them. It could be that this Aayat was revealed, at about the time when Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha)’s incident took place and it was revealed concerning both these wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
HER IBAADAT AND TAQWA
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) used to perform Ibaadat in abundance. Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) reports that she did not see any woman better than Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha). She says that she knew no one who was more Allaah fearing, truthful, one who strengthens family ties, one who gives charity freely, than Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha). When Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) was slandered (see incident in the section of Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha)), Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) was the one who said in clear, unambiguous terms that she knew no evil of Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha).
Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) says that amongst the wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) was the only one who compared to her in status. Allaah Ta`ala saved her from lies owing to her piety.
Hadhrat Umme Salma(radhiAllaahu anha) says the following regarding Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha): “She was pious, kept many fasts and spent many nights in Salaat. She worked with her hands (and earned for herself), and spent therefrom on the poor.”
Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) once said to Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) that Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha) was “Owaahun” (Arabic term). A third person who was present, asked as to what a “Owaahun” is. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied that she exercised extreme humility and concentration (in Ibaadat) and she cried excessively in front of Allaah Ta`ala.
SADAQAH (CHARITY)
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) was very generous. She earned money of her hands and she spent it upon the poor. This earned her the title of “Refuge of the poor”. Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) says that she never saw any woman like Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha), who earned from hard toiling and then spend this on the poor. In this way she gained closeness to Allaah Ta`ala.
Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) specified (after his Khilaafat) a sum of 12 000 dirhams for Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha). This money was only accepted by her for one year. When she received it she made the following du`aa: “O Allaah, do not let this money reach me next year, surely it is a Fitnah.” Immediately after she received this money, she distributed it amongst her friends and the needy. When Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllahu anhu) heard this he went to her home, stood outside, made salaam and told her that he had heard about her distributing all the money. Thereafter he sent another thousand dirhams for her to spend on herself, but she distributed this also. When Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away, Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) said: “The praise- worthy one, and the one who performs excessive Ibaadat has passed on, and (she left, leaving) the orphans and widows destitute.”
HAJJ
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) made Hajj with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). She never performed another Hajj thereafter, because Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told his wives that after the Hajj, they should all remain in their homes. Hadhrat Zainub and Saudah (radhiAllaahu anhuma), did not go for another Hajj. They took an oath and said that they will never (after that Hajj) even mount an animal. The other wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went for other Hajj after the one they performed with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). They understood, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s prohibition of going out of their homes as meaning casual and unnecessary emergence. They understood that their emergence for Hajj was permissible.
DEMISE
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away in the year 20 A.H. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) performed her Janaaza Salaat. At the time of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s demise, he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) left nine wives. From all of them, Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) wa the first to pass away. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) mentioned about her demise, during his lifetime. Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) narrates as follows: “Some of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s wives once asked him as to which of his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s wives will follow him, after his demise. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied that the one with the longest hand. After they heard this, the wives took a measure and started measuring their hands. It turned out that Hadhrat Saudah (radhiAllaahu anha)’s hand was the longest. All of us accepted that she will be the first of us to pass away after Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). When Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away, we understood that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not mean longest as in measure, he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) meant the one who was the most generous in giving Sadaqah. Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) excelled in the giving of Sadaqah, from all of us.” [Bukhari]
The narration in Muslim Shareef, states : “At the end we realised that the one with the longest hand was Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha), because she used to earn with her hands and spend upon the poor.”
WASIYAT (BEQUEST)
Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) said at the time of her death that she had already prepared her Kafan (shroud), and Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) has also sent one, so she must be enshrouded in one and the other must be given in charity. Her sister, Hadhrat Hamna (radhiAllaahu anha) gave in Sadaqah, the Kafan which Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) had prepared for herself. Subhaanallah, even at her dying moments, she considers the plight of the less privileged.
The other wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) gave her Ghusal. Her body was placed under a canopy, which was made by Hadhrat Binti Umais (radhiAllaahu anha), who had seen a similar thing being used in Abyssinia. This canopy provided for an excellent Purdah. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) liked this idea very much. At first, Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) made an announcement, that only the Mahram relatives of Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) may attend her funeral. After he had seen the canopy, he made another announcement, that all may attend the funeral of their Mother (i.e. Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)).
When they arrived at the graveyard, Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) intended to descend into the grave and take the body of Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) into the grave, however, he first asked the wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) if it was permissible for him to do so. They replied in the negative and said that only those persons are allowed to go into the grave, who used to see and meet Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) during her lifetime, i.e. those for whom Shar`i Hijaab was not necessary. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) changed his plan and her Mahram relatives lowered her into the grave. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) sat at the grave side whilst Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) was being buried, and other senior Sahabah were standing. All this is reported in the kitaab; “Kanzul Ummaal”. It is stated in “Bidaya” that Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha) is buried in Jannatul Baqi. May Allaah Ta`ala be pleased with her.
“The praise- worthy one, and the one who performs excessive Ibaadat has passed on, and (she left, leaving) the orphans and widows destitute.”
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