Question

I have a question on Ahlul Bayth. Did Prophet Muhammad peace and Allah’s blessings be upon him have an adopted son named Zayd and did he marry his adopted son’s wife after a divorce?

Answer with the help of Allah the Master of all

Sayyiduna Zayd Bin Haarithah (Allah is pleased with him) was a slave gifted to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) by his blessed wife, and our mother, Sayyidah Khadeejah (Allah is pleased with her). The Mercy for Mankind (peace and blessings be upon him) freed him and announced that Zayd is my son. Although the idea is similar to the western concept of adoption, there are some differences in the legislation. 

In the Western system, adoption does not only mean that a child is given into the care of another person or persons; it also means that the adopted child will carry the family name of the adoptive parent. If this adoption took place in infancy, then most probably the child will never come to know his real genealogy or his real family name. Islam categorically rejects this procedure, in order to ensure the child’s right to preserve his/her identity, genealogy and family name and also to ensure the child’s right to inherit from the estate of his/her real family. Allah the Almighty revealed in the Quran:

“Call them by their father’s (name); this is more equitable in the sight of Allah. Then if you do not know their fathers then they are your brothers in faith and cousins (in worldly relation).”

This is a part of the fifth verse of Surah Al-Ahzaab and it means that the adopted must be referred to by their real parentage name and not by the family name of the adoptive parent. It also establishes that the adopted are not, in any way, the children of the adoptive parents. It was after the revelation of this verse that Sayyiduna Zayd again became known as Ibn Haarithah rather than Ibn Muhammad. 

Sayyidah Zaynab Bint Juhush is the daughter of Sayyidah Umaymah Bint Abd Al-Muttalib (Allah is pleased with them). Sayyidah Umaymah is the paternal aunt of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had rendered her nikah with his freed slave Sayyiduna Zayd. Sayyidah Zaynab, however, was a highly reputable and honourable lady from the Quraysh while Zayd (although now a free man) was a slave in the past. For this reason, Sayyidah Zaynab was unhappy and there were some disputes in the relationship. This led Sayyiduna Zayd to divorce her, although the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) kept advising Zayd to resolve the disputes and try to settle together.

The divorce upset the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and after Sayyidah Zaynab completed her iddah, he expressed his mercy by sending a proposal of nikah from him in order to rid her sorrow and please her. This was also the will of Allah which he had already been informed of through revelation. This whole incident has been mentioned in the Quran by Allah in order to prevent any critical accusation against His beloved messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). In the thirty seventh verse of Surah Al-Ahzaab it says:

“And remember when you used to say to him upon who Allah provided a favour and you provided a favour that keep your wife with you and fear Allah while you were hiding that which Allah was to reveal and you feared the people and Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd completed the formality (of divorce and separation) from her, We rendered her nikah with you so that there be no harm upon the believers regarding (in marrying) the wives of their adopted ones after they complete the formality (of divorce and separation) from them and the command of Allah is always fulfilled.”

If you ponder over this verse, you will find the magnificent wisdom of Allah. He raised the status of Sayyiduna Zayd so that none would look down on him; rid the sorrow and pain of Sayyidah Zaynab and rewarded her with plenty of happiness; and protected His beloved (peace and blessings be upon him) from being accused.

Sayyiduna Zayd’s status is raised to unimaginable highness that Allah mentioned him by name in the Quran. Who else from the companions has been given this virtue?

Sayyidah Zaynab is relieved from her pain and sorrow and filled with pleasure and happiness, through knowing that Allah had willed for her to become the mother of all believers.

Most importantly, the Messenger of Allah and Saviour of Mankind is protected from accusation by Allah clearly announcing His divine will and command and by clearly saying that it is Allah who has rendered this nikah. It is also important to note how majestic this nikah is that Allah used the plural of royalty and said ‘We’ rather than the single ‘I’. 

There is a narration that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the house of Sayyidah Zaynab, she said:

“O Messenger of Allah! You have done nikah with me without a sermon and witnesses?”

He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied that Allah has done our nikah and Jibreel and two angels (upon them be peace) are the witnesses of this nikah .

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) invited all the companions to the waleemah of this nikah and this was the biggest waleemah he (peace and blessings be upon him) hosted for the nikah of any of his wives.

And Allah knows best.

Faqeer Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri

17th Sha’baan 1436 AH