In Arabic, the phrase Azwaj-i-Tahirat means the pure wives and refers to the women to whom

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was married.

Although the Prophet was married to only one woman during the Meccan period, he
married others afterwards for a variety of religious, social, economic or moral reasons.
The Quran characterizes the wives of the Prophet as the Mothers of Believers: The Prophet
is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers (al-Ahzab
33/6). Moreover, this respected position was reinforced by the prohibition of their marriage to
any other believers (even after the death of the Prophet) (al-Ahzab 33/53). Actually, the status of
the Prophets wives as the mothers of believers is one of respect and veneration. It is for this
reason that their marriage to others was prohibited and their reverent treatment is obligatory. On
other issues, these women are on equal footing with other Muslim women.
Again in the Quran, the wives of the Prophet were directly addressed and they were reminded
of their positions and responsibilities. The verses concerned with this issue are as follows: O
Consorts of the Prophet! If any of you were guilty of evident unseemly conduct, the Punishment
would be doubled to her, and that is easy for Allah. But any of you that is devout in the service
of Allah and His Messenger, and works righteousness,- to her shall We grant her reward twice:
and We have prepared for her a generous Sustenance. O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not
like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in
whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And
stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of
Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His
Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the
Family, and to make you pure and spotless. And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes,
of the Signs of Allah and His Wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is wellacquainted (with them) (al-Ahzab 33/30-34).
The above verses address the wives of the Prophet, but apply to all Muslim women; at the same
time, these verses underline what special role the Prophets wives were to play.
In fact, these distinguished women fulfilled the duty of enlightening the whole of humanity, in
particular woman. Actually, many aspects of Islam regarding woman were delivered through the
agency of the Prophets wives and believers learned matters regarding marital life and the
exemplary morality of the Prophet with their help. The care, kindness and respect of Prophet

Muhammad for his family set good examples for Muslims. In fact, different matters pertaining to
the family which arise when women of different ages, different characters and skills, and from
different tribes and origins come together provide a basis for much richer materials for the
sunnah (practices of the Prophet).
The Prophet would converse with his wives, sometimes one to one, sometimes all together;
each wife would be given a pre-determined night and day; his wives would gather in the room of
the one whose turn it was, and he would converse and discuss Islamic matters. It was reported
that he would talk to them about different issues, telling them some parables and listening to
their problems, even making jokes with them to make them laugh during these conversations.
Moreover, it is recorded that Prophet Muhammad asked his wives opinions and took advice
from them on some matters; this demonstrates the great importance he attached to them.
13 distinguished women who were among the Azwaj-i-Tahirat are as follows:
1. Khadija bint Khuwayled
Khadija, the daughter of Khuwayled ibn Asad the Bani Asad of the Quraysh tribe, was the first
wife of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is reported that she was born in Mecca in 556 A.D. She
shares the ancestor Qusayy with the Prophet. Khadija, who was called al-Tahira (the pure one)
due to her virtuous character, was called Kubra later, after her death, as she was the eldest
wife of the Prophet.
Khadija was involved in commerce and was looking for a trustworthy agent to accompany her
caravan to Damascus; on the advice of her acquaintances she made a partnership agreement
with Muhammad. On his return, she initiated a marriage proposal; she had been impressed by
his success at business, his honesty, reliability and truthful personality. According to most
historians, Khadija, who was widowed with two children, was 40, and the Prophet was 25 years
old at the time of their marriage. Prophet Muhammad had six children with her: Qasim, Zaynab,
Ruqiyyah, Umm Qulsum, Fatima and Abdullah.
Because of her good treatment of and sincere service to Prophet Muhammad, Khadija was a
commendable wife both before and after the advent of Islam. Before the prophethood, when
Muhammad was away town and, in particular, when he retreated for worship to the cave of
Hira, Khadija always cared for him and when he was late coming home, she used to send
servants to meet him.

After the first revelation, she was the first person to believe in Prophet Muhammad and she
supported and assisted him with her wealth. She never left the Prophet alone to the persecution
and oppression of the idolaters. When the Meccan idolaters surrounded the Muslims, she too
was under siege with the Prophet for two or three years, and she never hesitated to spend all
her wealth for the sake of delivering his message.
After 25 years of happy marriage, three years before the emigration, Khadija passed away at
the age of 65. This year is recorded as the year of sorrow in the sources, as the Prophet lost
two of his most loyal supporters against the polytheists in a space of three days: his uncle Abu
Talib and his beloved wife Khadija.
On all occasions Prophet Muhammad would mention the altruism and friendship of Khadija; she
received the glad tidings of a palace made of pearls awaiting her in Paradise. Whenever a goat
was slaughtered in his house, he would never forget to send portions of it to Khadijas friends.
2. Aisha bint Abu Bakr
Aisha was the daughter of Abu Bakr, the most intimate friend of the Prophet, his traveling
companion during the emigration and the first caliph after him. She was born in Mecca in the 4th
year of the prophethood.
Her first marriage ceremony with the Prophet (pbuh) was held in Mecca before the emigration.
However, because of her young age at this time, the actual conjugal life of Aisha and the
Prophet began after the emigration (Shawwal, 2 A.H). Aisha was the only woman among
the Azwaj al-Tahirat to be married just once. Muhammad called these beloved wife different
names as an expression of his love, such as Aisha, Aish and Uaish; he also called her
Humayra because of her fair complexion.
The bond between Aisha and the Prophet was based on mutual love, understanding and
respect. We know of some aspects of their relationship, for example they had a foot-race for
fun, he would show care and love for her; putting her head on his shoulder, she watched the
Abyssinians give a display of their skills with spears in the Masjid al-Nabawi. The Prophet
enjoyed being with her, especially talking with her during their night journeys, and answering her
questions. Due to her qualities, such as intelligence, understanding, good memory and
eloquence, as well as her efforts to understand the Quran and the sunnah clearly, Aisha held a
distinguished position.

Aisha accompanied the Prophet on several battles. Once she was accidentally left behind by
the army, as she had stayed back to search for a lost necklace when they were returning from
the campaign against the Bani Mustaliq. Safwan ibn Al-Muattal took her to join the caravan,
which was located at the rear of the army. However, the hypocrites began to gossip about Aisha
and spread slanderous lies about her on this occasion, raising doubts in the minds of Muslims.
Recorded as the the incident of Ifq (slander) in the sources, this matter was cleared up by the
revelation of the 11th to the 21st verses of Surat al-Noor, which declared the falsehood of the
rumors, and Allah declared that Aisha was innocent.
During Prophet Muhammads last illness, in the month of Safar 11 A.H, he asked permission
from his other wives and went to Aishas room, where he died.
Aisha, who did not participate in any political activities during the caliphate of Abu Bakr or Umar,
took some actions to seek justice and peace during the last years of Uthmans caliphate and
Alis caliphate. However, when the situation deteriorated, she did not participate in any more
political action and her sorrow about the ensuing tragic events lasted until the end of her life.
Aisha was a distinguished woman in the Islamic sciences. Thanks to her intelligence,
understanding, desire for learning, good memory and faith, she was educated well in her
fathers house, and she reached a position that was close to that of the Prophet in religious
sciences. After the death of the Prophet, a large number of companions and successors visited
her and sought her advice, particularly in the fields of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and hadith
(sayings of the Prophet). Aisha was one of the companions to issue the highest number of
fatwa. Moreover, thanks to the 2,210 hadiths that she reported, she became one of the seven
companions to transmit the greatest number of hadiths.
She lived for another 47 years after the death of the Prophet, and died in 57 or 58 A.H, when
she was 66. She was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery. Her funeral prayer was offered by
Abu Hurairah at her request.
3. Sawda bint Zama
Sawda bint Zama was the second wife of the Prophet (pbuh); he married her in Mecca after the
death of Khadija.
Previously, Sawda had been married to As-Sakran bin Amr. She converted to Islam with her
husband a short time after the Prophet began to call people to Islam. She and her husband

migrated to Abyssinia due to the oppression of the polytheists, and returned to Mecca after
spending some time in Abyssinia. However, Sawdas husband passed away in Mecca.
On the occasion of the death of his first wife, Khadija, the Prophet married Sawda. Sawda, who
was 50 years old when she married the Prophet, treated his children as if she were their mother.
Until the Prophet married Aisha, Sawda was the sole wife of the Prophet.
Sawda lived with the Prophet for 13 years and she accompanied him on some campaigns. She
passed away during the last years of the caliphate of Umar. It is also reported in some sources
that she passed away in 54 A.H (after the emigration). Sawda narrated five hadiths from
Prophet Muhammad.
4. Hafsa bint Umar
Hafsa, the daughter of the Prophets (pbuh) sincere friend and second caliph, Umar, married the
Prophet in the 3rd year after the Hijrah (emigration).
Hafsa was born in Mecca in 605. Previously she had been married to Khunais bin Hudhafa.
However, her husband became ill on the return journey from the Battle of Badr, and passed
away a little later in Medina. In accordance with the tradition of giving ones daughter or sister to
a virtuous person in marriage, Umar offered her to Uthman, who had lost his wife (Ruqiyyah, the
daughter of the Prophet) a short time before. When Uthman stated that he had no intention to
marry, Umar went with the same offer to Abu Bakr. When Abu Bakr remained silent, Umar was
hurt and he shared his feelings with the Prophet. Prophet Muhammad told him,Hafsa will marry
one better than Uthman and Uthman will marry one better than Hafsa. Prophet Muhammad
married Hafsa in Shaaban of the 3rd year after the emigration. Uthman married the daughter of
the Prophet, Umm Qulsum.
Aisha was the closest friend of Hafsa among the wives; it is even reported that the other wives
were sometimes jealous of them. Hafsa, one of the few literate women of her time, had a
distinguished place before Prophet Muhammad.
Hafsa passed away when she was 60, in 41 A.H, and she was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi
Cemetery.

5. Zaynab bint Khuzaimah

Zaynab was the daughter of Khuzaimah ibn Abdullah from the Sasaa tribe. A short while after
marrying Hafsa, the Prophet (pbuh) married Zaynab bint Khuzaimah, whose husband had been
martyred in the Battle of Uhud.
Because of the tension between Zaynabs tribe and the Muslims after some events in the 3rd
year after the emigration, this marriage had the role of relieving the tension and improving
relations.
Zaynab bint Khuzaimah, known as the Mother of the Poor (Umm Al-Masakeen), passed away
after two or three months (eight, according to a narration). Her funeral prayer was led by the
Prophet and she was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery.
6. Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya

Umm Salama was the daughter of Abu Umayyah ibn Mughirah ibn Abdullah. Her real name was
Hind. She had been the wife of Abd ibn Abdul Asad. This couple, who had converted to Islam in
the early days of the prophethood, migrated to Abyssinia due to the oppression and persecution
of the polytheists. After living in Abyssinia for many years, they returned to Mecca when they
learned that the polytheists of Mecca had converted to Islam.
Again they were exposed to the persecution of polytheists in Mecca. Finally, they departed to
Medina during the emigration. However, some polytheists stopped them, not allowing Umm
Salama to leave. Later she had a chance to migrate to Medina, but her husband had passed
away from the wounds he had received while fighting in the Battle of Uhud.
After the death of her husband, she politely turned down marriage proposals. She did not want
to accept the proposal of Prophet Muhammad either, because of her old age and jealous
character, but finally she agreed.
Umm Salama was known as an intelligent, patient, dominant, influential, confident and humble
woman. Many people turned to her for advice about their problems.
Umm Salama, the reporter of 378 hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh), died at the age of 84, in 61
A.H. Her funeral prayer was led by Abu Hurairah at the Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery, where she
was buried.

7. Zaynab bint Jahsh

Zaynab was the daughter of Jahsh ibn Rabab, an immigrant from Mecca. Her mother, Umayma,
was the paternal aunt of the Prophet (pbuh) and daughter of Abdul Muttalib.
First Zaynab was married to the former slave of Prophet Muhammad, Zayd ibn Haritha (who
was even known as his adopted son before a verse forbidding adoption was revealed). When
Prophet Muhammad asked for her hand on behalf of Zayd, her family did not consent to this
marriage, because of Zayds status as a freed slave. However, after the revelation of the 36th
verse of Surat al-Ahzab, they approved of this marriage. The marriage between Zaynab and
Zayd put an end to the tradition of noble and wealthy women of higher class not marrying the
poor or former slaves. The fact that this was first practiced by people close to the Prophet set a
precedent.
However, the marriage of Zaynab and Zayd lasted for only one year. Due to increasing
incompatibility between the couple, Zayd and Zaynab divorced, although Prophet Muhammad
tried to encourage them to stay married.
To demonstrate beyond a doubt that in Islam an adopted son is not regarded in the same light
as a natural son, and therefore, his wife is not regarded as the wife of a natural son, the 37th
verse of Surat al-Ahzab was revealed a short while after the divorce, declaring that Zaynab had
been joined in marriage to the Prophet by Allah. Actually, when Zayd divorced Zaynab, the
Prophet understood that this judgment would be given, but he was worried about possible
rumors and instigation by hypocrites. However, the judgment was exercised in the revelation of
the above-mentioned verse.
Unfortunately, the rumors and fabricated stories of the hypocrites about the Prophets marriage
to Zaynab are still used today by various groups for different purposes. It must be born in mind
that not only do these marriages demonstrate that people are only better in accordance with
their piety, not their family, in the sight of God, and that some former prohibitions and beliefs
were eliminated by Islam, but these marriages also reminded people that marriage is a means
of testing ones faith.
Zaynab was known as a generous and content woman, who was fond of worship and who was
pious. It was also reported that she had other virtues, such as being hard-working, and giving
away what she earned to the poor and orphans.

Zaynab was the first of Prophet Muhammads wives who died after him. She passed away at
the age of 53, in 20 A.H. The funeral prayer of Zaynab bint Jashs, reporter of 11 hadiths, was
led by Umar.
8. Juwayriya bint al Harith
Juwayriya was the daughter of al-Hrith ibn Abi Dirar, the chief of the Banu Mustaliq. Her name
was Barra before converting to Islam. (With the idea that taking a name that has a positive
connotation helps to purify someone, the Prophet gave her the name Juwayriya.) She was
taken as a captive after the successful campaign against the Banu Mustaliq in 5 A.H.
Although there are different narrations regarding the marriage of Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) and Juwayriya, who was taken prisoner along with several other members of her tribe
during the campaign, the sources agree that this marriage was the means to freeing all the
captives taken from the Bani Mustaliq. The companions set them all free, saying, How can we
take the relatives of the Prophet as slaves?
It is understood that this marriage ceased the hostility between the Muslims and the tribe of
Banu Mustaliq, and the main intention behind the marriage of the Prophet to Juwayriya was to
bring this tribe closer to Islam. The fact that members of Banu Mustaliq converted to Islam after
this marriage supports this argument.
Juwayriya was a woman fond of praying, remembering God and fasting. Juwayriyah, who was
described as the most beneficial and generous woman of her tribe, passed away in 50 or 56
A.H. She narrated 7 hadiths from the Prophet.
9. Safiyya bint Huyayy
Safiyya was the daughter of Huyayy ibn Ahtab, the chief of the Jewish tribe Bani Nadir. She was
a descendent of Harun, an earlier prophet.
Safiyya had been married twice before marrying the Prophet (pbuh). Her first husband died and
she was taken as prisoner by the Muslims in the Battle of Khaybar in 7 A.H. Prophet
Muhammad wanted to relieve the tension that existed by establishing family ties between the
Muslims and the members of this tribe, drawing them closer to Islam.
Safiyya, the daughter of the chief of Bani Nadir, was assigned to Dihya ibn Khalifa in the
aftermath of the war; the Prophet told her that he would marry her if she converted to Islam, but

if she did not become Muslim he would free her and send her back to her people. Safiyya
replied that she had always longed for Islam, and Allah and His Messenger were sweeter to her
than returning to her tribe, and she accepted his proposal. Another slave was given to Dihya ibn
Khalifa in her place.
Safiyya, a virtuous and pleasant woman, expressed her love for the Prophet by saying, "I wish it
was I who was suffering instead of you," when he was on his deathbed.
Safiyya was also known as a very courageous companion, and she sided with Uthman when his
home was under siege. It is even reported that she secretly supplied him with food and water.
Safiyya died in 50 or 52 A.H, and she was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery. She narrated
around 10 hadiths.
10. Umm Khabiba Ramlah bint Abu Sufyan
Umm Khabiba was the daughter of Ebu Sufyan bin Harb from the Umayyad family. Muawiya
was her half brother on her fathers side. Her real name was Ramlah. She was given the name
Umm Khabiba (mother of Khabiba) because her daughter from her first marriage was called
Khabiba.
Umm Khabiba, a former Hanif, and her husband Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh were among the first
people to accept Islam. They migrated to Abyssinia in order to escape the persecution and
oppression of the polytheists. However, her husband abandoned Islam there. (It is recorded that
he died or they divorced shortly afterwards.) When the Prophet (pbuh) learned about what had
happened to Umm Khabiba, and how she had stood fast in her religion and endured oppression
for its sake, he sent a messenger to Abyssinia to tell her that he wanted to marry her. She gladly
accepted the proposal, and Negus performed the marriage ceremony (with thewakalah (agency)
given by the Prophet).
This event occurred in 6 or 7 A.H, and the marriage was regarded as a reward for Umm
Khabibas adherence to the religion. Moreover, this marriage went a long way to eliminating the
hostility felt by Abu Sufyan towards the Prophet, and making him approach Islam in a more
positive manner. In fact, Abu Sufyan converted to Islam during the conquest of Mecca.
Umm Khabiba, reporter of 65 hadiths from the Prophet, passed away at the age of 44 in 70 A.H.

11. Maria al-Qibtiyya

Maria bint Sham, recorded as Maria al-Qibtiyya in the sources, was from a village called Hafn in
the Egyptian region of Said. It is reported that she was born in this village, the child of a Coptic
father and Greek mother.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sent a letter to Muqawqis, the Byzantine Governor of Alexandria
Egypt, in 7 A.H, telling him about Islam and inviting him to become Muslim. After having read the
letter, Muqawqis treated the emissary of the Prophet well and in honor of the Prophet he sent
two concubines, one eunuch, 1,000 gold pieces, garments, fabric, perfume and some other gifts
along with his answer. It is claimed that although Muqawgis admired this faith, he did not
convert to Islam due to his fear of the Byzantine Emperor.
These two concubines, named Maria and Serene, were invited by the Prophet to embrace Islam
when they were on the way to Medina or when they were in Medina. Maria married the Prophet
and bore a baby boy, Abraham, one year later. Although it is disputed at what age Abraham
died, it is known that he passed away before turning 3.Maria, passed away in 16 A.H. Umar ibn
Khattab led her funeral prayer.
12. Maymuna bint al-Kharis
Maymuna bint al-Kharis was first called Barra bint Haris, but the Prophet (pbuh) gave her the
name Maymuna. She was the sister of Ummul Fadl, the wife of Abbas.
Maymuna was married twice before marrying Prophet Muhammad, and was widowed on the
occasion of her second husbands death. While she was in Umrah-al-Qada for three days she
told Umm al-Fadl that she longed to marry Prophet Muhammad. When Umm al-Fadl told her
husband, Abbas, about this, he conveyed this proposal to the Prophet. The Prophet agreed to
the marriage.
After this marriage, a deputation from the tribe of Maymuna, Amir ibn Sasaa, came to Medina
and talked to the Prophet; the people of this tribe converted to Islam.
It is reported that Maymuna was the last woman the Prophet married. Maymuna was praised by
Aisha in the following words: Among us, she had the greatest fear of Allah and did the most to
maintain ties of kinship. Maymuna passed away in 51 A.H. 76 hadiths were reported by her.
13. Rayhana bint Sham

Rayhana bint Sham was a Jewish concubine from the tribe of Bani Nasir, the children of Amr ibn
Qurayzah. She was taken as a captive during the battle of Bani Qurayzah.
There are different narrations about how she converted to Islam. According to some narrations,
she embraced Islam after hearing about it from the Prophet when she was a captive; Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) freed her and married her. It is also narrated that she had not wanted to
convert to Islam at first, but afterwards she embraced Islam of her own accord, and married the
Prophet, but she chose to remain as a concubine because she was afraid of shouldering the
responsibilities

of

free

woman.

Rayhana passed away after the Prophet returned from the final pilgrimage. The Prophet led the
prayer over her, and she was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery.