The following are excerpts from the Friday Sermon delivered on November 17, 2023, as published by the UAE Awqaf.
Allah chose virtuous wives for the Prophet , honoring them as Mothers to the believers. This divine selection mandates obligatory kindness and reverence among women. Allah’s wisdom and guidance in this choice highlight the importance of respect and dignity towards them.
Umm al-Mu’minin Zainab t, possessed noble qualities. Her lineage, linked to the Prophet r, accentuates her distinction among the Mothers of the Believers.
She holds special honor because she is mentioned in Quran. She said to other wives:
زَوَّجَكُنَّ أَهَالِيكُنَّ، وَزَوَّجَنِي اللَّهُ تَعَالَى مِنْ فَوْقِ سَبْعِ سَمَوَاتٍ
Your families married you, and Allah married me from above the Seven Heavens [Bukhari]
Prophet’s wife Aisha t praised her :
كَانَتْ زَيْنَبُ تُسَامِينِي -أَيْ: تُسَاوِينِي- فِي الْمَنْزِلَةِ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ
Zainab used to vie with me – meaning she considered herself equal (in affection to Aisha) – in the Prophet’s household. [Bukhari and Muslim]
ومَا رَأَيْتُ امْرَأَةً خَيْرًا فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ زَيْنَبَ، أَتْقَى لِلَّهِ، وَأَصْدَقُ حَدِيثًا، وَأَوْصَلُ لِلرَّحِمِ
I have not seen a woman better in religion than Zainab – more God-fearing, truthful in speech, and committed to maintaining family ties. [Siyar Alam Nubala
Umm Salama t, another wife, commended her fasting and skill
كَانَتْ صَوَّامَةً قَوَّامَةً، صَنَاعًا -أَيْ: صَاحِبَةُ حِرْفَةٍ تَصْنَعُ بِيَدِهَا- تَتَصَدَّقُ بِذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ عَلَى الْمَسَاكِينِ
She used to fast continuously and was skilled – meaning she had a craft she practiced – and she would give charity from it all to the poor. [Tabaqat al-Kabir
The Prophet r urged emulating the Mothers of the Believers, learning good conduct, obedience, and kindness. Respecting and revering them fosters moral growth. The Prophet r emphasized reverence and respect for his household, He said:
أُذَكِّرُكُمُ اللَّهَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي». قَالَ زَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ: نِسَاؤُهُ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ
I remind you of Allah concerning the people of my household. Zaid bin Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “His wives are from the people of his household.” [Muslim]