Nabi (S.A.W) married for the first time at the age of 25. During the 25-year marriage to Khadija (R.A), Nabi (S.A.W) never married again. Only two of his marriages- one with Khadija (R.A), and the other with A’isha (R.A)- were marriages in the normal course. All the other marriages were contracted as a necessity and were based on various considerations.
Juwairiyah (R.A) belonged to the very powerful Banu Mustaliq clan. The entire clan was a bitter enemy of Islam from the start, and they were finally suppressed by military action. When the Nabi (S.A.W) married Juwairiyah (R.A), the Muslims released all their prisoners, saying that they could not keep the relatives of Nabi (S.A.W) in bondage. It was due to this marriage that the whole of Banu Mustaliq accepted Islam.
Maymunah (R.A) also came from a very powerful and recalcitrant clan from Najd and was the sister of the wife of the Chief of the clan in those days. His (S.A.W)’s marriage with Maymunah (R.A) changed the whole atmosphere. Nabi (S.A.W) married her to ease her sufferings as she was an aged widow. Her nephew, Khalid bin Waleed (R.A), impressed by the magnanimity of Rasoolullah (S.A.W), accepted Islam.
Umm Habibah (R.A) was the daughter of the Quraysh chief, Abu Sufyan. It was after Nabi (S.A.W)’s marriage to Umm Habibah that Abu Sufyan never fought against Islam This marriage was largely responsible for the conquest of Makkah Mukarramah. Furthermore, Umm Habibah was first married to a certain Ubaydullah and migrated with him to Abyssinia, where Ubaydullah became a Christian and a drunkard. Eventually, his drinking led to his death, leaving Ramlah (R.A) unprotected and in great distress.
Safiyyah (R.A) was the daughter of a very prominent Jewish chief, Huaiy bin Akhtab. She is also a descendant of Musa (A.S). In consideration of her family status, it was not proper for any Muslim to take her as a captive of war. Nabi (S.A.W) thus married her to secure her release. After this marriage, the Jews did not dare to revive their opposition to Nabi (S.A.W) and Islam.
Hafsah (R.A) was the daughter of Umar bin Khattab (R.A). Nabi (S.A.W) married her after she was widowed during the Battle of Badr. This marriage was made with the intention of cementing His (S.A.W)’s relations with one of the closest Companions of Nabi (S.A.W) and also to provide protection and relief to a widow.
Nabi (S.A.W) married his first cousin, Zaynab bint Jahsh (R.A), to his freed slave, Zayd ibn Harith (R.A), also the adopted son of Nabi (S.A.W). This marriage of Zaynab (R.A) with Zayd (R.A) was intended to break the family and social barriers, but the marriage did not prove to be successful and ended in divorce. The family of Zaynub (R.A) was worried on hearing that a former slave could have the temerity of divorcing a well-placed lady. Nabi (S.A.W) thus married Zaynub (R.A) for that reason, along with clarifying that Islam does not recognize adoption, proving that the Believers could marry the divorced wife of an adopted son.
Zaynab bint Khuzaymah (R.A), Umm-Masakin (Mother of the Poor), was the daughter of Khuzaymah bin Haris of the Hawazin clan. Her husband was martyred in the Battle of Uhud. To rescue her from widowhood and the difficulties she was going through, Nabi (S.A.W) took her as His (S.A.W)’s wife.
The Quranic injunction limiting the number of wives a Muslim is permitted to marry was revealed in 8 AH. After this, Nabi (S.A.W) did not marry again. Although at this time, Nabi (S.A.W) had 9 wives living, He (S.A.W) didn’t divorce them as they were considered by everyone to be the Umm-Mu’mineen, meaning they couldn’t marry afterwards.
Don’t forget to recite as much Durood as you can!
Love and Duas,