Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA) was the fifth wife of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). She is mostly described as a beautiful and kind lady. She due to her generosity and helping nature was given the title of “Umm al Masakin” which means the mother of the poor.

Hazrat Zainab Bint e Khuzaymah (RA) belonged to the tribe of Banu Hilal. She was born in 595 CE. Her mother’s name was Hind bint ‘Awf ibn Al’Haarith.

When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) started preaching Islam to the people of Makkah, many people of Makkah turned against him (PBUH).

But Hazrat Zainab Binte Khuzaymah (RA) was among those people who believed in the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), chose the right path, and accepted Islam as her religion.

She was known for her mercy and kindness even before she accepted Islam. She was helpful towards the needy since the beginning even when she did not know that Islam also teaches about generosity and selflessness.

When she accepted Islam and found out about its teachings she became more kind and helpful and started spending more of her money in charity.

SIBLINGS OF HAZRAT ZAINAB BINT E KHUZAYMAH:

• Ummul Fazl Lababeh Kobra bint Hareth
• Lababeh Soghra  
• Maimoona bint Hareth 
• Asma bint Omaith  
• Salammeh (Salmi) bint Omais 

LIFE OF HAZRAT ZAINAB BINT E KHUZAYMAH (RA) BEFORE MARRYING THE HOLY PROPHET (PBUH):

Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA) was married to Abdullah ibn Jahsh. Abdullah ibn Jahsh, a relative of Allah’s Messenger, was Zaynab’s first spouse (PBUH).

It was claimed that Zaynab (RA) and Abdullah’s union was a wonderful example of love and selflessness. She wished she had been more modest because her husband was such a wonderful Muslim person.

Hazrat Zainab (RA), who was already well-known for her generosity, piety, and modesty, wants to be even more modest now that she has seen how wonderful her husband was! The strength she and her husband received through their love for Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) strengthened them both and their marriage.

Abdullah ibn Jahsh got martyred in the battle of Uhud leaving her wife Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA) behind. After losing her husband, Hazrat Zainab Bint E khuzaymah (RA) got so much distressed and felt all alone. After the martyrdom of her husband, she migrated from Makkah city to Madina.

MARRIAGE WITH THE HOLY PROPHET (PBUH):

When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) got to know about the circumstances and sufferings of Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA), the Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked her to marry him.

Hazrat Zainab (RA) accepted the proposal of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) wholeheartedly the age of Hazrat Zainab Bint E khuzaymah (RA) at the time of her marriage with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was 30 years old whereas the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was 55 at that time.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) called four witnesses for marriage and gave 400 dirhams to Hazrat Zainab (RA) as Haq Meher and that’s how she became the fifth wife of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The marriage was also done to show the people, that the families of those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam are not ignored and they will be taken care of. It is said that the marriage of Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA) and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) took place in the holy month of Ramadan.

Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah was given the same status as other wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). She was given the room close to the room of Hazrat Ayesha (RA) and Hazrat Hafsa (RA). Similarly, she also got the honor of becoming the mother of believers– “Umm Ul Momineen”. 

Hazrat Ayesha (RA) and Hazrat Hafsa (RA) who were also the wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) showered Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA) with all the love, affection, and respect because they knew the sole purpose of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) of marrying her was to show care and kindness towards her after her husband’s loss.

DEATH OF HAZRAT ZAINAB BINTE KHUZAYMAH (RA):

Unfortunately, Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzyamah (RA) could not spend much time with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) because just after the 8 months of her marriage she got a serious illness which became a reason for her death.

She died at the early age of 30. Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA) was the second wife after Hazrat Khadijah (RA) who died in the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also felt sad about her death. He (PBUH) buried her in Jannat Ul Baqi and always prayed for her.

LESSON LEARNT FROM HER LIFE:

Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA) is an example for all of us that how she spent her life helping the people around her.

Though her role as a wife of the Holy Prophet is not much known because of her early death still she is remembered today due to her caring, helpful, and giving nature.

We learned the value of charitable giving from Hazrat Zainab Bint E Khuzaymah (RA), who taught us to spend money on serving others as the act of doing charity is one of the most liked deeds by Allah (SWT) and his last messenger (PBUH) and a way of seeking Allah’s pleasure.