Q:
How many
sons and daughters did the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى
اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم have?
A:
Based on one
view, the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
وَسَلَّم had 3 sons, whilst another says 2. There is even mention of 4
in Khazā’in al-‘Irfān. Ultimately, this is a matter differed upon. It is stated
in Tadhkirah al-Ambiyā: “The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى
اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم had 3 sons: Qāsim, Ibrāhīm and ‘Abd
Allah.”¹
¹ Tazkirah al-Ambiyā, p. 827
‘Abd
al-Mustafa A’zami رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ
writes:
A vast
majority of historians unanimously agree upon the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم having 6 blessed
children; two sons: Qāsim and Ibrāhīm (رَضِيَ اللهُ
عَنْهُمَا), and 4 daughters: Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthūm and Fātimah (رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُنَّ).
However,
some historians say he had another son by the name of ‘Abd Allah (رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ), whose titles were tayyib
and tāhir. According to this opinion, the Prophet صَلَّى
اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم had 7 blessed children: 3 sons and 4
daughters.²
² Seerat-e-Mustafa, p. 687
All children
of the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
وَسَلَّم were born from Lady Khadījah رَضِيَ
اللهُ عَنْهَا, except for Ibrāhīm, who was from Lady Māriyah al-Qibtiyyah.³
They all passed away during the lifetime of the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم, except for Lady
Fātimah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا. She went on to pass
away 6 months after the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ
عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم left this world.⁴
³ Sharh al-Zurqaani, vol. 4, p. 316
⁴ Tafsīr al-Qurtubi, para 22, Surah
al-Ahzaab, verse 59, Juzz 14, vol. 7, p. 179, Al-Muwahib al-Ladunniya, vol. 1,
p. 395
Q:
The esteemed
wives of the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
وَسَلَّم are also referred to as ‘mothers of the believers’; what are
their names?
A:
There is a
difference of opinion regarding how many wives the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم had. All sources
agree on there being at least 11.
6 of them
hail from the Quraysh: Khadījah, ‘Āishah, Hafsah, Umm Habībah, Umm Salamah, and
Sawdah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُنَّ.
4 of them
come from other Arabian tribes: Zaynab bint Jahsh, Maymūnah, Zaynab bint
Khuzaymah, and Juwayriyah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُنَّ.
One of the
esteemed wives, Safiyah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا,
was a non-Arab from Bani Isrāīl.¹
¹ Al-Muwahib al-Ladunniya, vol. 1,
pp. 401 - 402
Q:
During his
farewell hajj (hajjah al-wadā), in what words did the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم teach people
regarding equality?
A:
In a
historical sermon delivered during his farewell hajj, the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم
addressed issues of nepotism, harboring pride over familial lineage, bigotry,
racism and prejudice, completely denouncing them, as well as uprooting them in
the process.
His sermon
was centered on the importance of equality, and he mentioned the following
golden principles:
O people!
Indeed your Lord is One, and indeed your father (Adam عَلَيْهِ
السَّلَام) is one. Hear me in earnest! No Arab has superiority over a
non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab. No white has superiority over a black,
nor a black over a white, except due to piety.¹
¹ Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 9, p. 127,
hadith 23548, Seerat-e-Mustafa, p. 529
Q:
How many
times did the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
وَسَلَّم perform hajj and ‘umrah?
A:
After
migrating to Madinah, the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ
عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم performed hajj once and ‘umrah four
times.²
² Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, p. 504, hadith 3034
Q:
What advice
did the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
وَسَلَّم give during his final illness?
A:
The mother
of the believers, Lady Umm Salamah رَضِيَ اللهُ
عَنْهَا narrates:
The Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم
would mention this in his final illness (in which he left this world),
‘Continue to offer salāh with consistency, and take care of your slaves.’³
³ Sunan Ibn Mājah, vol. 2, p. 282,
hadith 1625
Q:
What was the
state of the Prophet’s final illness?
A:
In the 11th
year after migration, on the 20th or 22nd of Safar, the
final Prophet of Allah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
وَسَلَّم went to Jannat al-Baqī’ late at night. Upon returning, he began
to feel unwell. This increased in severity for several days.¹ Taking permission
from his esteemed wives, he then remained in the home of Lady ‘Āishah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا.²
¹ Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad, vol.
12, p. 233, Seerat-e-Mustafa, p. 542
² Sharh al-Zurqaani, vol. 12, p. 83
The
Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
وَسَلَّم left this world on a Monday, in the month of Rabī’ al-awwal.
According to widespread sources, the exact day was the $12^\text{th}$, in year
11AH.³
³ Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 2, p. 209,
Fatāwā Razawiyyah, vol. 26, p. 416
The
concluding chapter of the blessed life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ beautifully reflects the perfection of his family life,
leadership, compassion, and unwavering devotion to Allah Almighty. Throughout
his life, he remained a loving father, a caring husband, a just leader, and the
greatest guide for humanity. His blessed household exemplified faith,
sacrifice, patience, and righteousness, providing an everlasting model for
Muslims in every generation.
During his Farewell Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ delivered one of the most profound sermons in human history,
emphasizing the sanctity of life, justice, equality, and mutual respect. He
declared that no Arab holds superiority over a non-Arab, nor a white person
over a black person, except through piety and righteousness. This timeless
message abolished racial discrimination, tribal pride, and all forms of
prejudice, establishing the universal brotherhood of Islam.
Even in his final illness, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ remained deeply concerned for the welfare
of his Ummah. Rather than speaking about worldly matters, he repeatedly advised
the believers to safeguard their prayers and fulfil the rights of those under
their care. His final counsel demonstrates that devotion to Allah, sincere
worship, and justice towards others are the foundations of a successful life.
The passing of the Prophet ﷺ
marked the completion of Allah's final message to humanity, yet his teachings
continue to illuminate hearts across the world. His noble character, mercy,
humility, patience, forgiveness, and unwavering trust in Allah remain an
eternal source of guidance for every believer.
Studying the
blessed Seerah is not merely learning history; it is learning how to live.
Every stage of the Prophet's ﷺ life—from his family
relationships and leadership to his final advice and departure from this
world—teaches invaluable lessons of faith, compassion, sincerity, and
perseverance. May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to follow the Sunnah of
His Beloved Messenger ﷺ in every aspect of
our lives, fill our hearts with love for him, and bless us with his
intercession on the Day of Judgement. Āmīn.
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