The Status of the Mothers of the Believers

The status that Allah gave to the wives of the Prophet

The wives of the Prophet ﷺ were given the title of Ummahaatul Mu’mineen (The mothers of the believers). This description was a title of respect and an honor that is only used to refer to them. They enjoy a very special place in the hearts of the Muslims by virtue of the fact that every one of them is considered a Mother to the Believers.

Allah ﷻ makes it clear that any woman who has been married to the Prophet ﷺ , would receive special treatment and favors from Allah. The Mothers of the Believers were given the option to choose between Allah His Messenger, and a lofty status in the Hereafter or the pleasures of worldly life. Allah ﷻ says:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ إِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيْنَ أُمَتِّعْكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحْكُنَّ سَرَاحًۭا جَمِيلًۭا ( سورة الأحزاب : ٢٨ )

“O Prophet, say to your wives, ‘If you should desire the worldly life and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and give you a gracious release.” (Soorat al-Ahzab: 28)

Allah ﷻ further explains their importance when He says:

وَإِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْمُحْسِنَـٰتِ مِنكُنَّ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا ( سورة الأحزاب : ٢٩ )

“But if you should desire Allah and His Messenger and the home of the Hereafter- then indeed, Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a great reward.” (Soorat al- Ahzab: 29)

The mothers of the believers enjoyed many favors in Islam. But just as they have been honored with a special status, they are also held more accountable for their mistakes. Allah forbids the wives of the Prophet from harming Allah’s Messenger. At the same time, Allah prohibits them from remarrying after the Messenger of Allah ﷻ . These rulings can be clearly derived from the statement of Allah in the following verse:

وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا۟ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَن تَنكِحُوٓا۟ أَزْوَٰجَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمًا ( سورة الأحزاب : ٥٣ )

“And it is not (conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.” (Socrat al-Ahzab: 53)

The mothers of the believers have also been granted the glad tidings of a place in Paradise.

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : ” أتى جبريل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: “يارسول الله، هذه خديجة قد أنت معها إناء فيه إمام أو طعام أو شراب فإذا هي أنتك فاقرأ عليها السلام من ربها ومني، وبشرها ببيت في الجنة من قصب لا صحب فيه ولا نصب (البخاري ومسلم).

Aboo Hurayrah reported: Jibreel (Gabriel) came to the Prophet and said, “O Allah’s Messenger! This is Khadeejah coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (i.e. Allah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a palace made of Qasab in Paradise where in there will be neither any noise nor any toil (or fatigue, trouble etc.).” (al-Bukhari & Muslim)

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : ” أُرِيتُكِ فى المنامِ مَرْتَينِ إِذَا رَجُلٌ يَحْمِلْكِ لَا سَرَقَةٍ مِنْ حَرِيرٍ فَيَقُولُ هَذِهِ امْرَأَلُكَ، فَأَكْشِفُهَا فَإذا هي أنتِ فاقولُ إنْ يَكُن هذا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ يُفْضِهِ ” (البخاري).

Narrated Aa’ishah said: “Allah’s Massenger Said (to me). “You were shown to me twice in (my) dream. Behold, a man was carrying you a silken piece of cloth and said to me, ‘She is your wife. I uncover her, and behold, it was you. I would then say (to myself). If this is from Allah, then it must happen.” ( Al-Bukhari )

These are but a few ahaadeeth that show their importance and what Allah ﷻ has prepared for them. The Mothers of the Believers must not be disrespected or marginalized by anyone and they should all be mentioned with absolute honor and respect. This is due to their role in the spread of Islam since they were instrumental in spreading knowledge amongst women and supporting the Prophet during the most difficult of times.

They stood by the Prophet ﷺ and were a steady source of comfort and calm whenever the Prophet was confronted by adversity. Their achievements and influence can be found in every sphere of Islamic history. Allah ﷻ has ensured that the Mothers of the Believers receive the praise and favors that are due to them. The greatest honor bestowed on them was the promise that they would abide in Paradise forever.

Learning from the lesson

The wives of the Prophet ﷺ were given the title of Ummahaatul Mu’mineen.
The wives of the Prophet are from the women of Paradise.
The Mothers of the Believers must not be disrespected and they should all be mentioned with absolute honor and respect.

Discussion

In this Article you have leamed about the status of the Mothers of the Believers in Islam and why they have been given this title. Discuss the origin of this ascription in light of the Qur’aanic verse found in the beginning of Soorat al-Ahzaab.