The Hadith of (the Prophet had nine wives)

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) had nine wives. So, when he divided (his stay) with them, the turn of the first wife did not come but on the ninth (day). They (all the wives) used to gather every night in the house of one where he had to come (and stay that night). It was (the night when he had to stay) in the house of `A'ishah (Allah be pleased with her), when Zaynab came there. He (the Prophet) stretched his hand towards her (Zaynab), whereupon she (`A'ishah) said: It is Zaynab. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) withdrew his hand. There was an altercation between the two until their voices became loud (and it was at that time) when Iqamah was pronounced for prayer. There happened to come Abu Bakr and he heard their voices and said: The Messenger of Allah, (kindly) come for prayer, and throw dust in their moths. So, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went out. `A'ishah said: When Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) would finish his prayer there would also come Abu Bakr and he would do as he does (on such occasions, i. e. reprimanding). When Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) had finished his prayer, there came to her Abu Bakr and spoke to her (`A'ishah) in stern words and said: Do you behave like this?"[1]

Lessons gained from the Hadith:

1- As for his saying: "Do you behave like this?," it means that you should not make such noise in the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

2- Fair division and justice among wives are incumbent on Muslims, but it was not incumbent on the Prophet (peace be upon him) despite his fair application to it.

3- Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) could see some special matters that took place between him and his wives because of his nearness and status at the Prophet (peace be upon him).

4- The telling of Anas to such incident is part of his conveying to the rulings of the Shari`ah not with the purpose of revealing the Prophet's privacies.

5- The Prophet (peace be upon him) was keen to bring happiness to Anas and his family.

6- The Prophet (peace be upon him) took a fixed methodology in his life which was to visit his wives after the `Asr Salah.

7- There was a good notice that expelled hatred, clarified souls, instilled love, and increased intimacy which was the assembly of co-wives in the house of the wife with whom the Prophet shall spend the night. This notice did not slip the mind of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to spread closeness among the Prophet's wives.[2]

8- The Prophet (peace be upon him) married 11 women, two of them died in his life who were Khadijah and Zaynab bint Khuzaymah (may Allah be pleased with them). However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) died while nine wives in his custody, they were: `A'ishah, Hafsah, Sawadah, Zaynab bint Jahsh, Um Salamah, Um Habibah, Maymunah, Juwayriyah, and Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with them all).

9- A husband should not sleep with more than one wife per night because it contains risk regarding their rights.

10- It is desirable that a husband sleeps with each wife in her house and he should not summon them in his house, but if a husband summons each one in her night to his house, there is no harm. However, if a husband summons his wife to the house of her co-wives, she may refuse.

11- A husband should not go to another wife at her home at night except for a necessity such as sickness.[3]

12- When the Prophet (peace be upon him) stretched his hand to touch his wife Zaynab and `A'ishah said: This is Zaynab, he did it unintentionally or he thought her `A'ishah because it was her night and there was no lamp in the house. No matter the interpretations of scholars regarding that incident, it was permissible for the Prophet (peace be upon him) to do so, but he pulled his hand taking into account the feelings of `A'ishah.[4]

13- It may be deduced from the Hadith that touching women does not nullify ablution.

14- Exaggeration in rebuke because it is more deterring.

15- The virtue of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), his pity, and his care for Muslims' interests.

16- The inferior (Abu Bakr) may advise his superior (the Prophet) with matters that contain interests.[5]

17- The love of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to the Prophet (peace be upon him).

18- Because of the jealousy between `A'ishah and Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with them) their voices became loud before the Prophet (peace be upon him).

19- The Prophet (peace be upon him) left the two wives quarrelling after he had excused their actions.

20- The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded to Abu Bakr in the first advice which was leaving them and going to Salah but did not respond to him in the second when he told him to cast dust in their face because of the Prophet's sympathy and compassion.

21- Salah takes a person away from the burdens of the world.

22- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stretched his hand to his wife Zaynab to express his love, intimacy, kindness, and mercy.

23- It is desirable to marry more than one woman[6], but it is not permissible for a Muslim to marry more than four unlike the case of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

24- The perception and smartness of `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her).