Explore Jihad (the Gospel of Unity) – Part 5: Love and Relation to the Holy Prophet

In spiritual love and relationship to the Holy Prophet (owbp) is entitled to more respect and consideration than blood-relations. Wherever there are conflicts and duties the believers should follow his teachings and his pattern of his life’s conduct as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:

Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah .33.21

Our Beloved Prophet (owbp) is closer to us than our own selves as Allah (swt) mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:

The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. Blood-relations among each other have closer personal ties, in the Decree of Allah. Than (the Brotherhood of) Believers and Muhajirs: nevertheless do ye what is just to your closest friends: such is the writing in the Decree (of Allah).33.6.

When the Believers saw the Confederate forces, they said: “This is what Allah and his Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger told us what was true.” And it only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience. 33.22.

The believing men must not follow the pattern of the Holy Prophet (owbp) in the wrong way, where his marriages to his wives are concerned. This was a command given to the Holy Prophet (owbp) from Allah (swt), as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:

O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts, and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts, who migrated (from Makka) with thee; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her;- this only for thee, and not for the Believers (at large); We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess;- in order that there should be no difficulty for thee. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 33:050.

Thou mayest defer (the turn of) any of them that thou pleasest, and thou mayest receive any thou pleasest: and there is no blame on thee if thou invite one whose (turn) thou hadst set aside. This were nigher to the cooling of their eyes, the prevention of their grief, and their satisfaction – that of all of them – with that which thou hast to give them: and Allah knows (all) that is in your hearts: and Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing. 33:51.

It is not lawful for thee (to marry more) women after this, nor to change them for (other) wives, even though their beauty attract thee, except any thy right hand should possess (as hand maidens): and Allah doth watch over all things. 33:52

Allah (swt) also stopped the Holy Prophet (owbp) from marrying more women after the one’s he was given permission to marry in Surah 33 v. 51. Nor was he allowed to change them for other wives. And so our Beloved Holy Prophet (owbp) obeyed Allah’s (swt) commands and did not marry any other woman after the ones whom he was commanded by Allah (swt) to marry.

Please do not fly in the face of Allah (swt) and speak ill of the Holy Prophet’s (owbp) marriages. We saw clearly in S. 33, v. 50-52 how Allah (swt) himself ordered the Holy Prophet (owbp) to marry these pious ladies who were respectfully the mothers of all the believers. According to my understanding from S.33 v. 50 Allah (swt) has selected these respectful ladies (some of them were widows of war) to be the mothers of the believers. And as much as Allah (swt) put them under the protection of the Holy Prophet (owbp), at the same time He wishes to reward them for their righteous work of taking care of the civilians of the war and also the poor and the needy people as well. So, Allah (swt) has appointed and authorized our Beloved Prophet (owbp) to marry these respectful ladies who gain the title: Mothers of the believers.

Our Beloved Prophet (owbp) gave his love and his respect to these ladies in a most gentle way. He obeyed Allah’s (swt) commands and he married them even though he did not have any wealth to share with them. So, he shared his true love and his kindness to them. He also tried his best to observe the rule of equality with them, in other things as well and in the relation to the conjugal night.

To the believing men, more than one wife is not permissible if you fear that you will not be able to treat them equally or deal justly with them as mentioned in Al-Qur’an:

Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his (one) body: nor has He made your wives whom ye divorce by Zihar your mothers: nor has He made your adopted sons your sons. Such is (only) your (manner of) speech by your mouths. But Allah tells (you) the Truth, and He shows the (right) Way. 33:4

The only youthful marriage of the Holy Prophet (owbp) was his first marriage that was with Hazrat Khadija (May God be pleased with her). He was married to her for 15 years before he received his call to apostleship. Their marriage lasted for 25 years. Their mutual devotion was of the noblest, judged by spiritual as well as social standards. During Hazrat Khadija’s (May God be pleased with her) life He had no other wife, which was unusual for a man of his standing among his people. She was the mother of all his children except a son, Ibrahim, who did not live long. As well as being a wife, Khadija (May God be pleased with her) was also a friend to her husband, the sharer of his inclinations and ideals to a remarkable degree. Their marriage was wonderfully blessed; they lived together in profound harmony. The Prophet (owbp) did not marry for another four to five years after Khadija’s (May God be pleased with her) death. Providing their daily food and provisions, bearing their troubles and hardships, Muhammad (owbp), looked after his children and performed the duties of mother as well as father. To allege of such a man that he was a sensualist or suffered from lust for women, is as disgraceful and as stupid a lie as can be imagined.

When Khadija (May God be pleased with her) died the Holy Prophet (owbp) was 50 and it’s curious as to if he would ever marry again, as He was most abstentious in his physical life. The two things which governed his later marriage were:

  1. Obedience to Allah’s (swt) command, compassion and clemency. As when he wanted to provide for the suffering widows who could not be provided for in any other way in that stage of society (except for marriage) some of them (his new wives) like Sauda (May God be pleased with her), had issues in their former marriage, requiring protection,
  2. He needed help and support in his duties of leadership with women who had to be instructed and kept together in the large Muslim family, where women and men had similar social rights.

Hazrat Aisha (May God be pleased with her) (daughter of Abu Bakr r.a.) was very smart and she used to teach other women on Islam’s way of life and more. She was also the youngest of his wives and in Hadith; she is an important authority on the life of the Holy Prophet (owbp). His wife Zainab (May God be pleased with her), (daughter of Khuzaina), was called the mother of the poor. Another wife Zainab (daughter of Jahsh) who also worked for the poor and helped them out in every possible way she could, as she was also well skilled in working in leather trades. All the rest of the Holy Prophets (owbp) wives had to work and assist as mothers of the Ummat (followers of the Prophet). They did not have idle lives, either for their own pleasure or the pleasure of their husband. As mentioned in Al-Qur’an:

O Prophet! Say to thy Consorts: “If it be that ye desire the life of this World, and its glitter, – then come! I will provide for your enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner. 33:28.

But if ye seek Allah and His Messenger, and the Home of the Hereafter, verily Allah has prepared for the well-doers amongst you a great reward 33:029.

In this verse they are told that they had no place in the sacred household if they merely wished for ease or worldly glitter. The wives of the Beloved Prophet (owbp), were all well-doers and very respectful, humble and kind, not only to the Holy Prophet (owbp), but to their communities as well. They were very obedient to Allah’s (swt) command. As mentioned in the Al-Qur’an:

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. 33:30.

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. 33:31

And due to their outstanding conduct, Allah (swt) gave them a highly respected status. First as righteous women and again as mothers of the believers.

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. 33:33.

From the above passages of the Holy Qur’an we happened to see clearly that the Holy Prophet’s (owbp), wives were not like ordinary women, nor were their marriages ordinary marriages. They all had a special position and special responsibilities, especially in the matter of guiding and teaching women who came into the folds of Islam. In those days only women could teach other women, that Islam is a way of life and that all Muslims are a family; and women have as much place in Islam as men and therefore the women’s intimate instruction must obviously be done through women. And the wives of the Prophet (owbp) were chosen by Allah (swt) for their position and that’s how they got their title “Mothers of the believers.”

We, who are the believers and followers of the Holy Prophet (owbp), should never question His motives and judgment, or we should never say a word against his respectful wives, who are our blessed spiritual mothers (mothers of the believers).

They were kind and gentle to all; they were to be guarded on account of their special position as well. People might misunderstand or take advantage of their kindness; they were to make no vulgar, worldly display as in the times of paganism as in Surah 33 v. 33 of the Holy Qur’an. Again we must not put our own wisdom in competition with Allah’s (swt) wisdom; His decree is often known to us by the logic of fact. We must accept it loyally and do the best we can to help in our own way to carry it out. Allah (swt) mentioned in Al-Qur’an:

It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.33:36

Again we come to the discussion of a very important marriage of the Holy Prophet (owbp), who was Zainab (daughter of Jahsh). She was a lady of noble birth, descended and a close relative of the Holy Prophet (owbp). She was, moreover, a woman of great piety, who fasted much, kept long vigils, and gave generously to the poor. The Holy Prophet (owbp) asked for the hand of Zainab for Zaid. Zaid who was taken captive as a child in the course of tribal wars and sold as a slave. The noble Khadija whose slave he was presented him to the Holy Prophet (owbp) on the occasion of her marriage to Him. The Holy Prophet (owbp) immediately gave Zaid his freedom and shortly afterwards adopted him as his son. Zaid, the freedman, was among the first to embrace Islam, he was a good Muslim likewise Zainab, the lady of noble birth, was also a good Muslim, most pious and with exceptional quality. The marriage did not bring happiness to either Zainab or Zaid. Both loved and obeyed the Holy Prophet (owbp) but their marriage was unsustainable because of their mutual incompatibility. Zaid found it no longer tolerable and on several occasions expressed the wish to divorce. The Holy Prophet (owbp), however insisted that he should persevere with patience and that he should not separate from Zainab.

Then, on an occasion while the Prophet (owbp) was in conversation, the Angel Gabriel came and a Divine Revelation was given to him. The Holy Prophet’s (owbp) marriage to Zainab was announced in the revealed verses as a bond already contracted; we have married her to you, as the Holy Qur’an states:

Behold! Thou didst say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favour: “Retain thou (in wedlock) thy wife, and fear Allah.” But thou didst hide in thy heart that which Allah was about to make manifest: thou didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that thou shouldst fear Allah. Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them. And Allah’s command must be fulfilled. 33:37.

There can be no difficulty to the Prophet in what Allah has indicated to him as a duty. It was the practice (approved) of Allah amongst those of old that have passed away. And the command of Allah is a decree determined. 33:38

From the above verses of the Holy Qur’an, it clearly proves how Allah (swt) do instruct the Holy Prophet (owbp) with His inspiration of true guidance. This command was one of the severest trials the Holy Prophet (owbp) had yet to face. For he was commanded to do a thing contrary to the traditions of his people, but had to be done for the sake of God.

Zainab proved herself most worthy to be the Prophet’s (owbp) wife; she was always aware of the responsibilities as well as the courtesies proper to her role, and fulfilled those responsibilities to universal admiration.

The Holy Prophet (owbp) was sent by Allah (swt) as a witness to all mankind, about the spiritual truth which had been obscured by ignorance and superstition, he came to teach the Religion of peace (Islam). He is also a witness to Allah (swt) about the people’s conduct and how they received His messages, also he was sent as a bearer of Glad Tidings of the mercies of Allah (swt) to all of His true servants, with messages of hope for repentance. The Holy Prophet (owbp) also came as a Warner to those who are heedless, that this life is short and will not last, and that there is a future life which is all very important. The Holy Prophet (owbp) also came as a light or lamp to illuminate the whole world. The Holy Qur’an states:

O Prophet! Truly We have sent thee as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, and Warner, – 33:45

And as one who invites to Allah’s (grace) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light. 33:46.

Then give the Glad Tidings to the Believers that they shall have from Allah a very great Bounty. 33:47.

And obey not (the behests) of the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and heed not their annoyances, but put thy Trust in Allah. For enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. 33:48

The Holy Qur’an was sent down to our Beloved Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (owbp) by Allah (swt) in truth, it was not forged by any mortal. It has descended in truth; it was not and has not been falsified or corrupted in the process of being communicated to mankind. As mentioned in the Al-Qur’an:

We sent down the (Qur’an) in Truth, and in Truth has it descended: and We sent thee but to give Glad Tidings and to warn (sinners). 17:105.

(It is) a Qur’an which We have divided (into parts from time to time), in order that thou mightiest recite it to men at intervals: We have revealed it by stages. 17:106

Our Beloved Prophet (owbp) was not just a messenger of Allah (swt). He was responsible for those people’s actions who do not wish to follow the true messages from the Holy Qur’an. He fulfilled his mission in promulgating and explaining it (the pure and truthful way which Allah (swt) revealed it to him) sometimes by Angel Jabriel or sometimes by Himself and leaving it as a legacy to the world.

The Revelation of the Book is from Allah the Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom. 46:2

Please! We should all heed to the warning from the Holy Qur’an where Allah (swt) says only those people are true believers, who believe in Allah (swt) and who believe in His Apostle and we have no doubt in Allah’s (swt) true message from the Holy Qur’an:

Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: Such are the sincere ones. 49:15

If we act right and we act with justice, peace will follow us. We claim to be Muslim (believers) but where the fruits of our faith, verse 49:15 addresses are all Muslim brotherhood (believers, all humankind).

He gets most honors that are most righteous. Insolence consists not only in the breach of the rites of Religion; even more vital in the defiance of the law of nature, which Allah (swt) has made for us. These laws for us, humans include those which relate to our fellow beings in society, to whom kindness and consideration from the basis of our social duties, such as our duties to our families and our children in intimate matters.

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