The enemies of Islam always tried to attack the character of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) as he symbolized Islam. At different stages of history, the enemies of Islam targeted the Infallible Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) of Islam for his number of marriages.

People do not understand the status of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). They treat him like themselves, as they were misled by the Ayah 110 of Surah al-Kahf: “And say, “I am only a man like you but I have received revelation that there is only One Lord. Whoever desires to meet his Lord should strive righteously and should worship no one besides Him.”

 Allah sent 124,000 prophets and he was the “Chief of Prophets”. Apart from many testaments (Sahifa) revealed on Prophets, four Divine Books were sent, which included the Glorious Qur’an which is the last Word of Allah till the Day of Resurrection and the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was the Last Prophet of Allah. “The Panjetan” including the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) were crowned by Allah by His Revelation of their Purity in Surah al-Ahz’ab Ayah 33 which reads: “O People of the House, Allah wants to keep off all kinds of un cleanliness from you and to purify you thoroughly.” They were the “Most Truthful” represented in the “Ayah of Mubahila”Surah al-Imran Ayah 61: “If anyone disputes therein after knowledge has come to you, say, “Let each one of us bring our children, women, ourselves to one place and pray to Allah to condemn the liars among us.”  The Surah al-Najm Ayah 3 and 4: “He (Muhammad) does not speak out of his own desires. It (whatever he says) is a revelation which has been revealed to him.”

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), at the age of 25, married Sayyidah Khadija (s.a.) when she was 40 years old and remained with her for 25 years. At the sad demise of Sayyidah Khadija (s.a.), he was 50 years. During her life time he did not marry any one.

The enemies of Islam and the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) allege sensuality and sexual passions for his marriages. It is apparent that if this were so he would never have married Sayyidah Khadija (s.a.). Because at 25, the sexual passions of youth makes a man pre-occupied with choosing young wives.

John Davenport says: “How is it possible for a sensual man to content himself with just one wife for 25 years in such a place where polygamy was common and prevalent.”

After the sad demise of Sayyidah Khadija (s.a.), the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), when he was 53 years old, took other wives including Aisha, Hafsa, Zaynab binteKhuzayma, Umm Salma, Sauda, Zaynab binte Jahsh, Juwayria, Safia, Maymona, Umm Habiba, and Mariya.

Conditions and Circumstances of several marriages were:

                To take care of the orphans and the destitute: He married some of them to maintain their reputation and prestige after the loss of their guardians e.g. Lady Sauda. Zaynab binte Khuzayma was known as the “mother of the poor” fell into poverty when she became a widow. Umm Salma was faithful, aged and had helpless orphans.

                To establish proper laws and customs: To annul class discrimination, he married Zaynab bint Jahsh, his first cousin, who was first married to a slave Zayd but could not continue the ties and Zayd divorced her.

                To set free the slaves: After the defeat of Bani Mustalaq in a fight with Muslims, Juwayria, the daughter of the chief of the tribe, was made captive. Hence, he married her and the entire tribe was set free.

                To form friendly relations: Some marriages occurred to form friendly relations with the great tribes, to hinder their obstruction, and to maintain internal policy. For these reasons, he married Aisha, Hafsa, Safia, Maymoona, and Umm Habiba.

Sources used: The Glorious Qur’an, al-Islam.org/Prophet Muhammad, A Glance at the Life of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)