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The Wives of the Prophet
Ahmad Thompson
source: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd.
type: Web eBooks
The Prophet (Peace & Prayers Be Upon Him) provided mankind with most equitable and human laws to build family relationship and to cement them with feelings of mutual love, affection and kindness. They have taken into consideration the natural instincts of both husband and wife and given them appropriate and reasonable opportunities to obtain the satisfaction of their natural desires within the lawful ties of marriage and forbidden all possible sources of temptation and also means of gratification of self outside the fortress of marriage. At the same time, it has tried to protect the lawful interests of both the parties in wedlock on the basis of justice, without favoring any one party, and provided sufficient safeguards for each against exploitation and aggression by the other party. Thus, it has made every effort to enable them to lead a good and peaceful life in marriage. But, if in spite of all efforts, the two parties find it impossible to live together as husband and wife, it has given them the way to leave the fortress of marriage without injuring or harming the interests or feelings of the other party. In this matter also, it has treated them equally with justice and benevolence. Both of them are equipped with the proper means to leave their marital relationship with mutual agreement or through the intervention of the Islamic Shari'ah, thus giving full consideration to their interests in marriage and in separation, without unduly burdening either of them against their natural desires.
Keeping in view the general remarks made above, let us now mention the wives of the Holy Prophet one by one and describe their behavior towards the Prophet. We shall see that each one of them had been a good woman, perfectly devoted and resigned to Allah and His Messenger. They had complete faith in the Prophet and in his sayings about Allah, and His Attributes and about the eschatological realities. They were true believers and they never swerved in their views. They were devout and prayerful, and earnestly punctual in the observance of religious obligations. If ever they happened to miss any of the duties, they were ready to seek forgiveness of the Lord. They were penitent. They were obedient wives, and they carried out all the instructions that the Prophet gave them. They imitated him in his habits, especially in his generosity. They gave away to the needy all that came to them. They did not hoard coins, gold or silver, or victuals. They adored Allah. They worshipped Him alone, and meticulously they obeyed all of His Commands in letter and in spirit. Like the Prophet himself, they fasted not only during Ramadan but also on other days. He had a special predilection for fasting in Sha'ban; and the views helped him in his missionary ventures. They always gave him moral support, and never refrained from offering financial aid if and when required.