Companions & Great WomenMother of the Believers

Zaynab bint Khuzayma

زينب بنت خزيمة

Called Umm al-Masakin, 'mother of the poor', for feeding them.

Scholarly opinionSee it in the Atlas
Known as
Umm al-Masakin

Life

She was of Banu Hilal. Her husband 'Abdullah ibn Jahsh fought at Badr and was killed at Uhud, and the Prophet ﷺ married her in 3 AH.

She was called Umm al-Masakin, 'mother of the poor', for how she fed them. She lived with the Prophet ﷺ about eight months and died before him; he prayed over her and buried her in al-Baqi'.

Evidence

QuranAl-Ahzaab (The Clans)Quran 33:6Holds part of this text only

ٱلنَّبِىُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَـٰتُهُمْ ۗ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ إِلَّآ أَن تَفْعَلُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآئِكُم مَّعْرُوفًا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مَسْطُورًا ٦

The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves,[1182] and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allāh than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book[1183] inscribed.

Translator's notes

[1182] He (ﷺ) is more worthy of their obedience and loyalty and is more concerned for them than they are for one another. [1183] The Preserved Slate (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ).

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

6. The Prophet is closer to the believers than their ownselves,[3] and his wives are their (believers’) mothers (as regards respect and marriage). And blood relations among each other have closer personal ties in the Decree of Allâh (regarding inheritance) than (the brotherhood of) the believers and the Muhâjirûn (emigrants from Makkah), except that you do kindness to those brothers (when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم joined them in brotherhood ties). This has been written in the (Allâh’s Book of Divine) Decrees - (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz)."

[3] (V.33:6) Narrated ‘Abdullâh bin Hishâm رضي الله عنه: We were with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and he was holding the hand of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattâb. ‘Umar said to Him. "O Allâh’s Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my ownself." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete Faith) till I am dearer to you than your ownself." Then ‘Umar said to him, now, by Allâh, you are dearer to me than my ownself." The Prophet said, " Now, O ‘Umar, (now you are a believer)." Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.8, Hadîth No.682).

Read in context on Quran.com

Names the wives as Mothers of the Believers as a group, not each by name.

Report an error on this page

Tell us what looks wrong: a reference, a translation, the Arabic, or anything else. Scholars and editors read every report. Please don’t include personal details.

Text size

Appearance