Zaynab bint Jaḥsh (; ) was the first cousin and the seventh wife of Muhammad and therefore, considered by Muslims to be a Mother of the Believers.Abdulmalik ibn Hisham. Notes to Ibn Ishaq's "Life of the Prophet", Note 918. Translated by Guillaume, A. (1955). The Life of Muhammad, p. 793. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Early life Zaynab's father was Jahsh ibn Riyab, an immigrant from the Asad ibn Khuzaymah tribe who had settled in Mecca under the protection of the Umayya clan. Her mother was Umayma bint Abd al-Muttalib, a member of the Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe and a sister of Muhammad's father.Muhammad ibn Saad, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir. Translated by Bewley, A. (1995). Volume 8: The Women of Madina. London: Ta-Ha Publishers. Hence Zaynab and her five siblings were the first cousins of Muhammad.
She was a skilled tanner and leather-worker. She continued with this line of work throughout her life, even after she no longer needed the money.
Marriage(s) Her first marriage Zaynab's first marriage was likely before Islam. The name of her first husband is not known to history, but it is mentioned that he had died by the time of Hijrah in the year of 622 CE.Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari. Tarikh al-Rusul wa'l-Muluk. Translated by Landau-Tasseron, E. (1998). Volume 39: Biographies of the Prophet's Companions and Their Successors. Albany: State University of New York Press. At that time Zaynab, who had become a Muslim, was among those who accompanied her brother Abdullah on the Hijrah to Medina.Muhammad ibn Ishaq. Sirat Rasul Allah. Translated by Guillaume, A. (1955). Life of Muhammad, p. 215. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Marriage to Zayd Circumstances of the marriage Around 625, Muhammad proposed Zaynab to marry his adopted son, Zayd ibn Harithah. Zayd had been born into the Kalb tribe but as a child he had been kidnapped by slave-traders. He had been sold to a nephew of Khadija bint Khuwaylid, who in her turn had given him as a wedding present to her husband Muhammad. After some years, Muhammad had manumitted Zayd and had adopted him as his son.
Zaynab, supported by her brother Abdullah, at first refused the proposal on the grounds that, "I am a widow of the Quraysh." She presumably implied that her social status was too high to allow her to marry an ex-slave. It has been asserted that these social differences were precisely the reason why Muhammad wanted to arrange the marriage:
"The Prophet was well aware that it is a person's standing in the eyes of Allah that is important, rather than his or her status in the eyes of the people... their marriage would demonstrate that it was not who their ancestors were, but rather their standing in the sight of Allah, that mattered."Thomson, A. (2012). The Wives of the Prophet Muhammad, pp. 61-62. London: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd.
It has also been suggested that he wanted to establish the legitimacy and right to equal treatment of the adopted.Caesar E. Farah, Islam: Beliefs and Observances, p.69 By contrast, Montgomery Watt points out that Zayd was high in Muhammad's esteem.
"She can hardly have thought that he was not good enough. She was an ambitious woman, however, and may already have hoped to marry Muhammad; or she may have wanted to marry someone with whom Muhammad did not want his family to be so closely allied."Watt, W. M. (1956). Muhammad at Medina, p. 331. Oxford: The Clarendon Press.
When Muhammad announced a new verse of the Qur'an:
After hearing this verse Zaynab gave her consent to marry Zayd.Al-Jalalayn, Tafsir on Q33:36-38. Muhammad personally paid the dower of 160 dirhams in cash, a cloak and veil, a coat of armour, 50 mudd of grain and 10 mudd of dates.Ismail ibn Umar ibn Kathir. Al-Sira al-Nabawiya. Translated by Le Gassick, T. (2000). The Life of the Prophet Muhammad, vol. 3 p. 198. Reading, U.K.: Garnet Publishing.
Circumstances of the divorce The marriage lasted less than two years.Maududia (1967), vol. 4, p. 112-3
A story narrated by the 9th-century historians Ibn Sa'd and al-Tabari, but rejected by modern Muslim scholars, including those from Sunni traditions such as Ibn Kathir, al-Albani, is that Muhammad paid a visit to Zayd's house. The hairskin curtain that served as Zayd's front door was blown aside, accidentally revealing Zaynab dressed only in her shift. Zaynab arose to dress herself, advising Muhammad that Zayd was not at home but he was welcome to visit. However, he did not enter. He exclaimed to himself, “Praise be to Allah, who turns hearts around!” and then departed. When Zayd came home, Zaynab told him what had happened. Zayd went to Muhammad, saying: "Prophet, I have heard about your visit. Perhaps you admire Zaynab, so I will divorce her." Muhammad replied, "No, fear Allah and keep your wife."
The story has been rejected by Muslim scholarsIbn Al-’Arabi, Ahkam Al-Quran (3/1543)Sirat-Un-Nabi, by Allama Shibli Nu'Mani mainly because of its lack of having any chain of narration, its recording after 300 years and its complete absence from any authentic hadith. Some commentatorsFor example, Qadi Iyad ibn Musa al-Yahsubi have found it absurd that Muhammad would suddenly become aware of Zaynab's beauty one day after having known her all her life. Zainab was Muhammad's cousin. According to the Fatwa Department Research Committee, if her beauty had been the reason for Muhammad to marry her, he would have married her himself in the first place rather than arranging her marriage to Zayd. Some Islamic scholars state that rumours were spread by hypocrites who disguised themselves as Muslims.
Historiographic assessments suggest that the "lovestruck" narrative itself was a fabrication that developed over a century after the death of Muhammad.
Zayd divorced Zaynab in December 626.
Marriage to Muhammad Preparation for the marriage Muhammad expected criticism if he married Zaynab. Pre-Islamic custom disapproved of marriage between a man and his adopted son's former wife."For in the time of ignorance they regarded the marriage with an adopted son's wife as illegal as that with the wife of a natural son." Koelle, S. W. (1889). Mohammed and Mohammedanism Critically Considered, p. 497. London: Rivingtons. Arab society would have viewed this union as profoundly wrong, because it was considered an adopted son was truly a "son". Therefore, for a man to marry his adopted son's wife - even if she was divorced - was considered incestuous."...the marriage of a man with the wife of his adopted son, even though divorced, was looked upon by the Arabs as a very wrong thing indeed." Sell, E. (1905). The Historical Development of the Quran, pp. 149–150. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge."This liberality did not prevent severe comments from those who regarded adopted sonship as real sonship — for which view Mohammed's institution of brotherhoods gave some support — and who, therefore, regarded this union as incestuous." Margoliouth, D. S. (1905). Mohammed and the Rise of Islam, Third Edition, p. 321. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. As a result, he "hid in his heart" the idea that he might marry her. This internal conflict is mentioned in the Qur'an :
After this verse was announced, Muhammad proceeded to reject the existing Arabian norms.Watt, W. M. (1956). Muhammad at Medina, pp. 330-331. Oxford: The Clarendon Press. Thereafter, Zayd reverted to being known by his original name of "Zayd ibn Harithah" instead of "Zayd ibn Muhammad".
Some Muslim historians have understood the discrepancy between Muhammad's private thoughts and his expressed words to refer, not to a desire to marry Zaynab, but only to a prophetic foreknowledge that the marriage was going to happen.Le Gassick/Ibn Kathir vol. 3 p. 198. "God stated, 'You hide within yourself what God makes evident.' Regarding this, 'Ali b. al-Husayn Zayn b. al-Abidin and al-Suddi said, 'He (the Messenger of God (SAAS)) knew that she was to be one of his wives and it is he who hid (this) within himself.' Many early authorities discussed this matter in various strange ways. Some of these are controversial and so we are omitting them."Haykal, M. H. (1933). Hayat Muhammad. Translated by al-Faruqi, I. R. A. (2005). The Life of Muhammad (pbuh), p. 340. Baltimore: American Trust Publications. "Muhammad ... found himself disinclined to implement this judgment by marrying Zaynab after Zayd had divorced her. Indeed, the criticisms of the commonplace and the vituperations with which he was indicted in the public eye for breaking down such well established custom did, for a time, influence Muhammad's judgment and affected his decision. It was at this stage that the following divine criticism was addressed to Muhammad: 'Would you hide, O Muhammad, within yourself that which God was going to bring to light anyway? Would you fear the gossip of the people? Isn't God more worthy of being feared?' [Qur'an, 33:37] The truth is, however, that Muhammad was the exemplar of obedience to God; his life was the implementation of that which he was entrusted to convey to mankind. The outcome, therefore, was that Muhammad would not give any weight at all to the gossip of the people if he were to marry the ex-wife of his adopted son, since the fear of social condemnation is nothing comparable to that of condemnation by God, of disobedience to divine commandment. Thus, Muhammad married Zaynab in order to provide a good example of what the All-Wise Legislator was seeking to establish by way of rights and privileges for adoption."
The wedding Muhammad married Zaynab as soon as her waiting-period from her divorce was complete, on 27 March 627. He went into her house when she did not expect him and without knocking. She asked him: "Is it going to be like this, without any witnesses or trustee (wali) for our union?" Muhammad replied: "Allah is the witness and Gabriel is the trustee."Sa'id Ashur. Jurisprudence from Muhammad's life, p. 126.Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani. Al-Isaba fi tamyiz al-Sahaba, vol. IV, p. 307.
Muhammad gave Zaynab a dower of 400 dirhams. Later he held a wedding banquet for her and slaughtered a sheep. Anas ibn Malik said there were over seventy guests, and that none of Muhammad's other wives was given such a large banquet.
As soon as the men had departed, Muhammad announced a new ayat of the Quran.
Life in Medina Aisha believed that Muhammad's favourite wives, after herself, were Zaynab and Umm Salama. She said: "Zaynab was my equal in beauty and in the Prophet's love for her."Bukhari 5:59:462. Umm Salama said of Zaynab: "The Messenger of Allah liked her and he also used to become vexed with her." On two occasions, when Muhammad divided a gift of food among all his wives, Zaynab was displeased with her portion and sent it back to him.
Several traditions indicate conflict between Zaynab and her co-wives. She used to boast to them: "You were given in marriage by your families, while I was married (to the Prophet) by Allah from over seven Heavens."Bukhari 9:93:516. In one quarrel, Zaynab shouted insults at Aisha while Muhammad was present. Aisha retaliated with "hot words until I made her quiet." Muhammad only commented that Aisha was "really the daughter of Abu Bakr."Bukhari 3:47:755. Muslim 31:5984. Abu Dawud 42:4880. Another time Zaynab refused to lend her spare camel to Safiyya; Muhammad was so angry that he did not speak to Zaynab for over two months. Aisha related that the wives were divided into two factions, one led by herself and the other by Umm Salama. Zaynab was allied to Umm Salama, together with Umm Habiba, Juwayriyya and Maymunah.Bukhari 3:47:755. Muslim 31:5984. Abu Dawud 41:4880.