Zaynab bint Jahsh
Introduction
Hazrat Zaynab (RA) was the daughter of Hazrat
Jahsh ibn Rabab, an immigrant from Mecca. Her mother, Hazrat Umayya, was the
paternal aunt of the Prophet (SAW) and daughter of Abdul Muttalib.
Early life
First Hazrat Zaynab (RA) was married to
Hazrat Zayd ibn Harithah (RA), the former slave and adopted son of Prophet
Muhammad (SAW), When Prophet Muhammad asked for her hand on behalf of Zayd, her
family did not consent to this marriage, because of Zayd’s status as a freed
slave. However, after the revelation of the 36th verse of Surat al-Ahzab, they
approved of this marriage. The marriage between Hazrat Zaynab and Hazrat Zayd
put an end to the tradition of noble and wealthy women of higher class not
marrying the poor or former slaves. The fact that this was first practiced by
people close to the Prophet set a precedent.
However, the marriage of Hazrat Zaynab
(RA) and Hazrat Zayd (RA) lasted for only one year. Due to increasing
incompatibility between the couple, Hazrat Zayd and Hazrat Zaynab divorced,
although Prophet Muhammad (SAW) tried to encourage them to stay married.
To demonstrate
beyond a doubt that in Islam an adopted son is not regarded in the same light
as a natural son, and therefore, his wife is not regarded as the wife of a
natural son, the 37th verse of Surat al-Ahzab was revealed a short while after
the divorce, declaring that Hazrat Zaynab had been joined in marriage to the
Prophet (SAW) by Allah. Actually, when Hazrat Zayd divorced Hazrat Zaynab, the
Prophet (SAW) understood that this judgment would be given, but he was worried
about possible rumors and instigation by hypocrites. However, the judgment was
exercised in the revelation of the above-mentioned verse.
Unfortunately, the
rumors and fabricated stories of the hypocrites about the Prophet’s marriage to
Hazrat Zaynab are still used today by various groups for different purposes. It
must be born in mind that not only do these marriages demonstrate that people
are only better in accordance with their piety, not their family, in the sight
of God, and that some former prohibitions and beliefs were eliminated by Islam,
but these marriages also reminded people that marriage is a means of testing
one’s faith.
Her Character
Hazrat Zaynab (RA) was known as a
generous and content woman, who was fond of worship and who was pious. It was
also reported that she had other virtues, such as being hard-working, and
giving away what she earned to the poor and orphans.
Sayeda Ayesha (RA) said,” There was
none like her in affairs of religion, piety, truth, helping the poor and
generosity.
Her Demise
Hazrat Zaynab was
the first of Prophet Muhammad’s wives who died after him. She passed away at
the age of 53, in 20 A.H. The funeral prayer of Hazrat Zaynab bint Jashs,
reporter of 11 hadiths, was led by Hazrat Umar (RA).
