The Family of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

What do we actually know about the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) when it comes to his family? Who were the Prophets’ grandparents, parents, children and wives? How can we follow or even relate to someone if we don’t know much about their life?

Now let’s talk about the family of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)…

Parents

The parents of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) were noble and pious people. They were free from all the evils of their society and never worshipped idols.

Abdullah, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)’s father, belonged to a very famous tribe in Makkah called Quraysh. Shortly before the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)’s birth while Abdullah was on a trade journey he fell ill and passed away.

Aminah, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)’s mother, came from the Banu Zuhra tribe in Yathrib (Madinah). Whilst on a journey to take her young son to visit his father’s grave Aminah fell ill and passed away also. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) faced both deaths at just six years old.

Foster-mothers

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was initially nursed by Thuwaybah al-Islamiah for a few days. After her, Ḥalimah as-Sadiyyah took care of the Prophet until he reached the age of six years. After the emergence of Islam, both Thuwaybah and Halima (رضي الله عنهما) as well as their families became Muslims. Sometimes Halima visited the Prophet, and he would lay his cloak on the ground as a sign of respect for her to sit on it.

INFOBOX Halima revealed that she witnessed several miracles when Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) came to their house: Her breasts were instantly filled with milk that were dry for so long before that. Their weak camel was now ahead of all the others. Their goats gave more milk than usual. Her husband’s flock remained healthy and productive even during a time of great famine. While other wet-nurses were wondering about the reason for these sudden changes in her life, Halima believed that they were because of the child of Banu Hashim, and she repeated that several times.

Grandparents

Abdul Muttalib the grandfather of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) took care of him after the death of his mother Aminah. He surrounded the young child with love and affection and looked after him as if he was his own son. When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) reached eight years of age his grandfather whom he loved dearly passed away.

Fatimah bint Amr was the Prophet’s grandmother. She was married to Abdul Muttalib ibn Hashim. Her full name was Fatimah daughter of `Amr ibn `A’idh ibn `Imran ibn Makhzum. Her mother’s name was Sahre and Sahre’s mother was Tahmur. Tahmur was the daughter of Ubeyd, the son of Qusai.

Uncles

In total the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) had nine uncles. They were Abu Talib, Hamza, Abbas, Abu Lahab, Haaris, Zubair, Gaidaq, Almaqoon and Zarrar. However not all of them accepted Islam. Out of the nine only two accepted Islam – Hamza and Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them).

Abu Talib took over the care of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) after the death of his grandfather Abdul Mutalib.He was a loving guardian to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and treated him as his very own son, raising the young Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) with overwhelming love. Whilst he was alive, he provided his nephew with full protection from the Quraysh and declared war on anyone who tried to hurt him.

INFOBOX It was Abu Talib who led the khutba for the nikah of Prophet (ﷺ) with Khadija. Abu Talib also wrote poetry supporting the mission of Rasulullah (ﷺ). His most famous poem is an ode called Qasidat al-Lamiyya. He praised the Prophet (ﷺ) as الم تعلموا انّ ابننا لا مکذب *** لدینا ولا یعنی بقول الاباطل Don’t they know that our son is not a liar in our opinion? And he does not consider the word of the evil people. و ابیض یستسقی الغمام بوجهه *** ثمال الیتامی عصمة للارامل  An enlightened one by whose countenance the rain is requested. A protector of the orphans, a supporter of the widows. الم تعلموا ان النبی محمداً ***رسول امین خط فی سالف الکتب Don’t they know the Prophet Muhammad? The trustworthy Messenger whose Name is written in the previous Books. (Al-Fusul al-Mukhtarah p283) In a Hadith Qudsi it’s said that Jibreel came to Rasulullah (ﷺ) and said: “O Muhammad, Allah greets you and Says: I prohibited the fire from the loin and the womb which gave birth to you, and the arms that embraced you.” Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: “O Jibreel, explain that to me.” Jibreel said: “The loin means your father, ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, the womb is your mother Amina bint Wahb, and the arms is Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib.” (Ma’ani al-Akhbar p137)

Hamza (رضي الله عنه) and Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) were raised together as they were almost the same age. Even before Hamza (رضي الله عنه) became a Muslim he still loved and protected the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) from the enemies of Islam. The day he became a Muslim was considered a great victory for Islam as he was a very brave and strong man. Due to his great physical strength, he was given the name Asadullah (The Lion of Allah).

Abu Lahab was a bitter enemy of Islam and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Even though the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was his nephew it didn’t stop him from hurting and scolding him. Along with his wife Umm Jameel they subjected the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to severe cruelty and abuse.

Abbas (رضي الله عنه) was a paternal uncle and companion of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), just a few years older than his nephew. Abbas was one of the youngest brothers of the Prophet’s father. A wealthy merchant, during the early years of Islam he protected Muhammad while he was in Mecca, but only became a convert after the Battle of Badr

Aunties

In total the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) paternal aunties were Affiyah, Umm-ul Hakim, Barrah, Atikah, Saffiyah, Arwa and Umaimah. Among the blessed Prophet’s paternal aunts, only Afiyya embraced Islam although some say that Arwa and Atika also converted.

Afiyya daughter of ‘Abdul-Mutallib

She was the wife of ‘Awwam ibn al-Khuwailid, brother of Khadija, Mother of the Believers. Az-Zubair ibn al-’Awwam is son of the above-mentioned Afiyya, a disciple of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). She also gave birth to al-Sa’ib who was martyred at Yamama.

Wives – Ummahat ul Mumineen (Mothers of the Faithful)

The wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) were given the title ‘Ummahat-ul Mumineen’ by Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) through the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Each of them were exceptional women in their own way, making them exemplary role models for all Muslimahs to learn about and follow.

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (رضي الله عنها) was a wealthy business woman and it was her prosperous trading business that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) worked for. After the death of her husband, she refused offers of marriage from many noble Qurayshi men and instead sent a proposal of marriage to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) which he accepted. The year in which Khadijah (رضي الله عنها) died is known in Islamic history as ‘The Year of Sorrow’. During this year not only did the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) lose his first, beloved wife but also his uncle Abu Talib.

Sawdah bint Zam’a Sawdah (رضي الله عنها) was the first woman to emigrate to Abyssinia in the way of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى). She married the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) after the death of her first husband. After the marriage she immediately took over the care of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), his household and became a mother figure to his young daughters.

Aisha bint Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنها) was the daugher of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)’s closest companion Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه). Aisha (رضي الله عنها) was a beautiful, generous and an extremely intelligent young woman who was quick to learn and had a very accurate memory. Aisha (رضي الله عنها) is one of four people who have transmitted more than 2,000 Hadith. It was in Aisha (رضي الله عنها)’s arms that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) passed away.

Hafsa bint ‘Umar (رضي الله عنها) was the daughter of Umar (رضي الله عنه) – a close companion of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and the second Caliph. Her first husband died leaving her a widow while she was still very young. Her marriage to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) strengthened the ties between two of the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) closest companions, who would later become the first two rightly guided Caliphs of Islam, as he was married to both their daughters.

Zaynab bint Khuzayma (رضي الله عنها) offered her hand in marriage to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) after her husband was martyred in the battle of Badr. She was only with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) for a few months after marriage as she passed away. Due to her generosity to orphans, she was known as Umm-ul-Miskeen (Mother of the Poor).

Umm Salma bint Abi Umayya (رضي الله عنها) and her husband were among the first people to embrace Islam. Her first husband though passed away and seeing her struggle to support her beloved children the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) proposed to her. By marrying Umm Salma (رضي الله عنها) the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) could be a father to her children and help them without it seeming like he was giving them charity.

Zaynab bint Jahsh (رضي الله عنها) was the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)’s cousin sister – the daughter of his paternal aunt. Zaynab (رضي الله عنها) married the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) after the divorce of her first marriage which had been to the adopted son of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). This marriage confirmed that it is permissible for cousins to marry and also that in Islam an adopted son is not regarded the same as a natural son – as a father is not allowed to marry a woman who was previously married to his natural son, but this marriage to his adopted son’s ex-wife was permissible and ordered by Allah (سبحانه و تعالى).

Juwayriya bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) was a very beautiful young lady. Her father and first husband were enemies of Islam. The marriage between the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and Juwayriya (رضي الله عنها) united the two sides and helped break down enmity to Islam and extinguish the intense hatred towards Muslims, as the tradition was to honor your in-laws.

Umm Habiba bint Abi Sufyan (رضي الله عنها) was the daughter of Abu Sufyan who later accepted Islam but who for part of his life was one of the most resolute enemies of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) leading many armies in the battles against Muslims. Her marriage to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) clearly demonstrated to Muslims that the sins of a parent should not be taken out on their children.

Safiyya bint Huyayy (رضي الله عنها)’s father, like Umm Habiba (رضي الله عنها)’s, planned to assassinate the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) yet the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) still invited her to join Islam which she did. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) then proposed to her and she accepted. Safiyya (رضي الله عنها) was a wise, loyal and caring woman who maintained close ties with her Jewish relatives.

Maymuna bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) was a relative of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and also the half-sister of Zaynab bint Khuzayma (رضي الله عنها). Maymuna (رضي الله عنها) sent forward an offer of marriage to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) which he accepted. Maymuna (رضي الله عنها) was good-natured and got on well with everyone including all the other wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم).

Maria al-Qibtiyya (رضي الله عنها)‘s father was a Copt (Egyptian Christian) and her mother was a Christian Greek. Maria (رضي الله عنها) gave birth to a son who the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) named Ibrahim after the great Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام). However, the child while still very young became seriously ill and died. This relationship, along with the marriage to Safiyya (رضي الله عنها), taught all Muslims to be respectful of other religions and helped wipe out bigotry from the Muslim community.

Children

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and Khadijah (رضي الله عنها) had six children – four daughters and two sons. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) also had a son with Maria (رضي الله عنها). Sadly, all the sons of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) – Abdullah, Qasim and Ibrahim died in infancy.

Zainab (رضي الله عنها) was the eldest of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)’s four daughters. She married her first cousin Abul ‘Aas (رضي الله عنه) who was the son of her maternal aunt Hala (رضي الله عنها). He hadn’t accepted Islam at the time of the marriage but was always a loving and devoted husband to Zainab (رضي الله عنها) and good son-in-law to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Zainab (رضي الله عنها) experienced many hardships in her life, including being severely wounded for her love and support of Islam.

Ruqaiyyah (رضي الله عنها) was the second eldest daughter of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Her first marriage to Utba ended in divorce after his father, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)’s uncle Abu Lahab, forced him to divorce her. Her second marriage was to Uthman (رضي الله عنه) who himself experienced cruel torture from the non-believers. Ruqaiyyah (رضي الله عنها) was a very virtuous lady who endured many hardships courageously. She was only in her early twenties when she passed away.

Umm-e Kulthum (رضي الله عنها) was the second youngest daughter of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Like Ruqaiyyah (رضي الله عنها) she too was first married to Abu Lahab’s son, the youngest Utaiba, but like his brother he divorced his young wife at the order of his parents. After the death of Ruqaiyyah (رضي الله عنها), the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) gave Umm-e Kulthum (رضي الله عنها)’s hand in marriage to Uthman (رضي الله عنه). They both shared an exemplary marriage but were only together for a few years when Umm-e Kulthum (رضي الله عنها) became ill and passed away.

Fatima (رضي الله عنها) was the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) youngest daughter and shared a very close relationship with her father. She was a very hard-working and noble woman and despite being very poor herself she was very generous to others. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) gave her hand in marriage to his cousin Ali (رضي الله عنه), the son of his uncle Abu Talib. Fatima (رضي الله عنها) was the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) only living child at the time of his death, but she passed away shortly after in the month of Ramadan. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) stated Fatima (رضي الله عنها) was one of the four most perfect, spiritual and exalted ladies in the world.

Adopted son

Zayd ibn Haritha (رضي الله عنه) used to serve the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). He was known as “The beloved of the Beloved (ﷺ)”. He was one of the first people who converted to Islam and his name is mentioned the Qur’an. Zayd was a commander in the early Muslim army and led several military expeditions. He was martyred in the Battle of Mu’tah.

INFOBOX Zayd’s son Usama (رضي الله عنه) also received a lot of compliments and praises from the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). One of his nicknames was “Hubbi” (the dear one). The Prophet appointed Usama as the commander to invade the region of Balqa in the Byzantine Empire to avenge the Battle of Mu’tah. This campaign was known as the Sariyya of Usama bin Zayd. He was successful and his army was the first Muslim force to successfully invade and raid Byzantine territory, thus paving the way for the subsequent Muslim conquest of the Levant and Egypt. This expedition became notable in Islamic history due to how the still 18 years old Usama was appointed as overall commander (the youngest in History), leading veterans and high ranked companions of the Prophet such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa’id ibn Zayd, Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah, and Qatada ibn al-Nu’man (رضي الله عنهم).

Grandchildren

Zainab (رضي الله عنها) had two sons and a daughter. One of her sons died in infancy but her other son Ali shared a close relationship with his grandfather, the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Her daughter Umama (رضي الله عنها) was also close to her grandfather who often spoilt her with gifts.

Ruqaiyyah (رضي الله عنها) with her husband Uthman (رضي الله عنه) had a son Abdullah but he died at a young age.

Fatima (رضي الله عنها) and Ali (رضي الله عنه), who later became the fourth Caliph of Islam, had six children: Hassan, Hussain, Mohsin, Ruqaiyyah, Umm-e Kulthum and Zainab. Sadly, Mohsin and Ruqaiyyah died in childhood. Hassan and Hussain were particularly close to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) who dearly loved them. Through both their appearance and character Hassan & Hussain (رضي الله عنهم) often reminded others of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم).

INFOBOX Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said, كل تقي من آل البيت “Every pious believer is included in my family.” And in some reports, انا جد كل تقي “I am the predecessor of every pious believer” And then he recited, إن أولياؤه إلا المتقون “Its [true] guardians are not but the righteous.” (Surat Al-‘Anfāl 8:34) (At-Tabarani in Mu’jam al-Awsat 3/338, Al-Bayhaqi 2/83)