Zaynab bint Jahsh
Umm al-Mu'minin
Zaynab was the Prophet's cousin. Her divinely commanded marriage abolished the pre-Islamic taboo regarding adopted sons.
- Born
- Born circa 590 CE in Mecca
- Died
- Died 641 CE (20 AH) in Medina
- Cause of death
- Natural causes
A Divinely Ordained Marriage
Zaynab bint Jahsh was the Prophet's cousin. She was initially married to Zayd ibn Haritha, the Prophet's freed slave and adopted son. However, the marriage was unhappy and ended in divorce. To abolish the pre-Islamic Arab custom that equated adopted sons with biological sons—which forbade marrying an adopted son's ex-wife—God commanded the Prophet in the Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab) to marry Zaynab.
Breaking Societal Taboos
Shia scholars emphasize that this marriage was not driven by personal desire, but was a heavy burden placed upon the Prophet to break a deeply ingrained societal taboo through his own direct example. The hypocrites of Medina used this marriage to slander the Prophet, but the Quran clearly defended his actions as obedience to Divine Will.
Piety and Charity
Zaynab was celebrated for her piety, frequent fasting, and immense charity. She was known as a woman who worked with her own hands, tanning leather and sewing, just so she could earn money to give away as alms to the poor. She was the first of the Prophet's wives to pass away after him.