EZANTR - The Last Prophet

In Arabic, the phrase Azwaj-i-Tahirat means “the pure wives” and refers to the women to whom Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was married.

Although the Prophet was married to only one woman during the Meccan period, he married others afterwards for a variety of religious, social, economic or moral reasons.

The Quran characterizes the wives of the Prophet as the “Mothers of Believers”: “The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers” (al-Ahzab 33/6). Moreover, this respected position was reinforced by the prohibition of their marriage to any other believers (even after the death of the Prophet) (al-Ahzab 33/53). Actually, the status of the Prophet’s wives as the mothers of believers is one of respect and veneration. It is for this reason that their marriage to others was prohibited and their reverent treatment is obligatory. On other issues, these women are on equal footing with other Muslim women.

Again in the Quran, the wives of the Prophet were directly addressed and they were reminded of their positions and responsibilities. The verses concerned with this issue are as follows: “O Consorts of the Prophet! If any of you were guilty of evident unseemly conduct, the Punishment would be doubled to her, and that is easy for Allah. But any of you that is devout in the service of Allah and His Messenger, and works righteousness,- to her shall We grant her reward twice: and We have prepared for her a generous Sustenance. O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. And recite what is rehearsed to you in your homes, of the Signs of Allah and His Wisdom: for Allah understands the finest mysteries and is well-acquainted (with them)” (al-Ahzab 33/30-34).

The above verses address the wives of the Prophet, but apply to all Muslim women; at the same time, these verses underline what a special role the Prophet’s wives were to play.

In fact, these distinguished women fulfilled the duty of enlightening the whole of humanity, in particular woman. Actually, many aspects of Islam regarding woman were delivered through the agency of the Prophet’s wives and believers learned matters regarding marital life and the exemplary morality of the Prophet with their help. The care, kindness and respect of Prophet Muhammad for his family set good examples for Muslims. In fact, different matters pertaining to the family which arise when women of different ages, different characters and skills, and from different tribes and origins come together provide a basis for much richer materials for the sunnah (practices of the Prophet).

The Prophet would converse with his wives, sometimes one to one, sometimes all together; each wife would be given a pre-determined night and day; his wives would gather in the room of the one whose turn it was, and he would converse and discuss Islamic matters. It was reported that he would talk to them about different issues, telling them some parables and listening to their problems, even making jokes with them to make them laugh during these conversations. Moreover, it is recorded that Prophet Muhammad asked his wives’ opinions and took advice from them on some matters; this demonstrates the great importance he attached to them.

The distinguished women who were among the Azwaj-i-Tahirat are as follows