His marriages were not for pleasure, but were a humanitarian means to further the cause of Islam, as is evident from the women he married. In the case of Sawda, Umm Salama and Zainab bint Khuzaima, it was to take care of poor and helpless widows well in their middle ages, while the marriage to Juwairiyah was to grant her freedom from captivity. Still others such as those to Umm Habiba, Safiya, Ayesha, Hafsa and Maimoona were meant for uniting some prominent Arab tribes, who were often at loggerheads with each other, and also to safeguard the internal political status of the newfound Islamic State. And the marriage to Zainab bint Jahsh was for the sake of enacting a new law, because she was the divorcee of his adopted son Zaid bin Hareth. As the Holy Qur’an testifies, the Prophet married her in order to put an end to the prevalent belief that adopted sons were like real sons and that wives or widows of adopted sons were like daughter-in-laws. In short, the philosophy behind his marriages was entirely revolutionary and ushered in positive changes in ignorant Arabia.
He was an affectionate father and his only surviving child, daughter Fatima (RA), was dearer to him than life. His famous saying (Hadith): “Fatima is a part of me, and whoever annoys her (in fact) annoys me,” stands as a firm testimony to this fact. History is a witness that he used to stand up to greet his daughter. Many prominent and wealthy Arabs had approached him for Fatima’s hand, but he politely refused them, and according to divine commandment married her to his faithful cousin Imam Ali (RA).
Hence Fatima and Ali were the parents of his two grandsons Hasan and Hussain; through whom the continuity of the Prophet’s noble progeny has been ensured. Hasan and Hussain were the apple of his eyes and he affectionately doted on them. They used to play with him and accompany him to the mosque. Once when the two grandsons were seated on his shoulders, a companion remarked: “What and excellent mount”, to which the Prophet retorted “What excellent riders too”.
Thus, Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) behavior with his illustrious household (Ahlul-Bait) is a lesson for us. It was not blind love of a doting father or grandfather as some may misinterpret but was something divinely ordained as is clear from several verses of the Holy Qur’an. Therefore, it is obligatory for all Muslims to love and respect his chosen family, and adhere to their radiant path, which is the only way to save the Ummah from pitfalls. Praise be to Almighty God, Lord of the Worlds.
“One, who gets up in the morning and is not concerned about the affairs of other Muslims, is NOT a Muslim.”
“One who listens to the call of a Muslim, and does not respond to it, is NOT a Muslim.”
No comments