a) The first wife of the Prophet (pbuh) was Khadija. Write about the main events of her life.

OR
(a) Khadija bint Khuwaylid was the Prophet’s first wife. Write an account of her life in the period she knew the
Prophet.
Hazrat Khadija was a rich business woman who inherited her father’s wealth after his death and a noble woman of
the Quraysh tribe. She was married twice and was a widow to Abu Hala and Atiq before she married the Prophet
(pbuh). She is believed to have a daughter and two sons from her previous marriages. She became a successful
businesswoman and was well respected in Makka.
She would employ different people to go on trade expeditions for her, and once she employed the Prophet (pbuh) as
a merchant on one of these expeditions. She sent her servant, Maysara, with him. After hearing of his trading skills
and honesty as a merchant, she was impressed by the Prophet PBUH and sent a marriage proposal to him through
her friend Nafeesa. The prophet accepted her proposal after consulting his uncles. And they both got married. She
was the first wife of the Prophet PBUH. At the time she was 40 and he was 25. They had six children together, their
two sons dying in infancy, and then four daughters. When the Prophet (pbuh) received revelation, he came to
Khadija trembling. She reassured him that God would not humiliate him. She took him to see her cousin Waraqa bin
Nawfal who told the Prophet (pbuh) that he is a messenger of God. She was the first to publicly accept Islam and
she supported the Prophet (pbuh) financially. She endured the hardships faced by the Muslims when
they were boycotted by the Quraysh and died shortly after that. Jibril is said to have sent greetings of peace to her,
through the Prophet, from God and himself. Hazrat Khadija and Prophet’s uncle died in the same year that is called
the year of sorrow as the Prophet PBUH was left depressed as two of his strongest supporters left him weak and
vulnerable to his enemies. After her death the Prophet (pbuh) said about her, ‘I have
not yet found a better wife than her. She had faith in me when everyone, even members of my own family and tribe
did not believe me, and accepted that I was truly a Prophet and a Messenger of Allah. She converted to Islam, spent
all her wealth and worldly goods to help me spread this faith, and this too at a time when the entire world seemed to
have turned against me and persecuted me. And it is through her that Allah blessed me with children.’
The Prophet(pbuh) is reported to remember her often after her death and it used to cause jealousy, sometimes,
amongst his other wives.

(b) What does Khadija’s marriage to the Prophet (pbuh) teach Muslims about family relationships? [4]
Their marriage teaches Muslims that trust and loyalty are important parts of a family relationship, which need to be
nurtured to build good family relations. When in times of difficulty, family members should offer each other physical,
moral and financial support. It also teaches us that age should not be a barrier in a relationship and that advice and
guidance can be sought and given from those respected in the family, whether they are younger or older.

(b) The Prophet’s employer was a woman who was successful in business. What lessons can be derived from this
for Muslims now? [4]
Muslims can learn that women can and should be allowed to work and can hold positions of stature in the
workplace. If men are working for them, they should not feel inferior in any way, as how well a person does their job
is more important than who employs them. Men and women can work together and can, and should, maintain
integrity and respect for each other.

(a) Write about the Prophet’s wife Aisha during the lifetime of the Prophet. [10]
OR (a) Write about the life of Aisha during the Prophet’s lifetime.

Ans) Hazrat Ayesha was the Prophet’s youngest wife whom HE married after the death of Hazrat Khadija RA by the
will of Allah. She was the daughter of the Prophet’s close companion, Abu Bakr, and became the Prophet’s third
wife. They were married for nine years. She was the most beloved wife of the Prophet PBUH. Because of her young
age and good memory she was able to benefit a lot by staying close to the prophet PBUH and was able to memorize
Quran, Hadith and learn from the teaching of Prophet PBUH after each revelation. Due to her closeness to the
Prophet, and her great memory, she became one of the greatest narrators of hadith and Islamic scholar.
She also took part in major battles, mainly Uhud and also took part in Battle of Camel after the Prophet’s death.
The Prophet PBUH was with her when he passed away.

(b) ‘Aisha is a role model for Muslim women around the world.’ Say whether you agree or disagree with this
statement, giving reasons for your answer.
Hazrat Ayesha RA is a role model for all Muslims because she was one of the main teachers of hadith and sunna,
having narrated over 2000 hadith. She memorized the Qur’an. She is especially a role model for women as she was
more learned than many of the men of her time. She was patient in times of difficulty and generous with wealth
when she had it. In a male dominant and conservative society, she managed to spread the teachings of Islam and
strengthen the Muslims by teaching them from behind a veil. Despite of her religious and family obligations, she did
not refrain from her responsibilities towards Muslim Ummah. We should also learn a lesson from her life how to
maintain a balance between our personal life and our religious obligations and try to memorize Quran and Hadith to
convey the teachings of Islam to our future generations.

(a) Write about the lives of two of the Prophet’s wives whom he married after the death of Khadija. [10]
Sawda bint Zam’a: was Prophet’s second wife; she was widowed and older than the Prophet; She was known for her
generosity and died ten years after the Prophet (PBUH).

Aisha bint Abu Bakr: Hazrat Ayesha was the Prophet’s youngest wife whom HE married after the death of Hazrat
Khadija RA by the will of Allah. She was the daughter of the Prophet’s close companion, Abu Bakr, and became the
Prophet’s third wife. They were married for nine years. She was the most beloved wife of the Prophet PBUH. Because
of her young age and good memory she was able to benefit a lot by staying close to the prophet PBUH and was able
to memorize Quran, Hadith and learn from the teaching of Prophet PBUH after each revelation. Due to her closeness
to the Prophet, and her great memory, she became one of the greatest narrators of hadith and Islamic scholar.
She also took part in major battles, mainly Uhud and also took part in Battle of Camel after the Prophet’s death.
The Prophet PBUH was with her when he passed away.

Hafsa bint ‘Umar: was the daughter of Hazrat Umer RA . She was widowed at a young age and later married the
Prophet PBUH. She memorised Qur’an; The first compilation of Quran during the caliphate of Hazrat Abubakar called
“mushaf” was kept with her. So, it was called Mushaf-e-Hafsa; It was later used as a reference to prepare the final
compilation of Quran. She was also a narrator of Hadith.

Zaynab bint Khuzayma: Her husband was martyred at Battle of Badr; She was known for her generosity; She died
after being married to Prophet for 8 months.

Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya: Her husband died at Uhud; She rejected proposal of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar then
accepted proposal by Prophet; She memorised Qur’an and outlived all other wives.

Zaynab bint Jahsh: was Prophet’s cousin; She was married to Zayd bin Haritha but marriage ended in divorce; then
later she married the Prophet (PBUH).

Juwayriya bint al-Harith: was the daughter of the chief of Banu Mustaliq who was taken captive after successful
campaign against them; Prophet proposed to her, and due to this the booty was returned and captives freed; She
was married to the Prophet (PBUH) for six years; died 39 years after his death.

Umm Habiba bint Abi Sufyan: one of the early Muslims; migrated to Abyssinia with husband who then became
Christian; She could not live with him so stayed in Abyssinia; Prophet sent proposal and marriage was conducted by
Negus; She went to Madina after six years; lived with Prophet for four years before he died.

Safiyya bint Huyayy: was brought to the Prophet after the Muslim victory at Khaybar; She was the daughter of the
chief of Banu Nadir; Prophet invited her to Islam then proposed to her; other wives did not always think favorably of
her but Prophet (PBUH) always defended her.

Maymuna bint al-Harith: related to the Prophet (PBUH) and had always wanted to marry him; sent proposal through
her brother-in-law; Prophet accepted and they married when the Muslims performed Umrah after the treaty of
Hudaybiyya; after their marriage verse 33.52 revealed.

Maria al-Qibtiyya: She was sent as a gift from the ruler of Egypt; She was a slave-girl and was accepted into the
household of the Prophet (PBUH) after the treaty of Hudaybiyya; She gave birth to the Prophet’s son Ibrahim, who
died when he was 8 months old; a solar eclipse coincided with his death to which the Prophet clarified they are not
related events
(b) “The best of you is the one best to his wife.” Explain what the Prophet meant by this statement and how it is
relevant to Muslims now. [4]

b) The Prophet encourages men to look after their wives and that those with good character treat their wife better
than they treat others. Muslims should not compete in jobs or wealth but rather in how well they treat their wife and
family. Those who treat their wife well are those who should have most respect.
There are many Muslims who do not treat their wives well, they treat them like slaves, or they beat them, but this is
not what the example of the Prophet teaches Muslim men about their relationship with their wives.

(a) Write about the life of the Prophet’s daughter, Fatima.

Fatima was the Prophet Muhammad’s youngest daughter; She was born a few years before prophet hood. She was
upset over the treatment her father faced by the Quraysh in Makka; when he was persecuted and the Quraysh threw
animal entrails on him, she lifted it off and cleaned him.
She was married to Hazrat Ali and had two sons and two daughters (Hassan, Hussain, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum).
She suffered hardships after her marriage and did all the work at home herself, for example, grinding flour and
carrying water from the well. When she asked the Prophet (pbuh) for a share in the spoils of war after one of the
battles, thinking she may be able to get a maid to help at home, he said, I shall give you something better and told
her to say Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar before going to sleep. One of her nicknames was Az-Zahra, the
resplendent one. Aisha said that she was the one who resembled the Prophet (pbuh) the most. The Prophet (pbuh)
is reported to have said, "Fatima is a part of me and whoever offends her offends me." The Prophet (pbuh) showed
his affection for her and would visit her before he left on a journey and upon returning.
When the Prophet (pbuh) was ill, she was upset that he was dying but happy when he told her she would be joining
him soon. She was the only daughter to outlive the Prophet (pbuh) and passed away
five months after her father at the age of 29.

(a) Give an account of the lives of the Prophet’s ( ‫ )وسلم عليه هللا صلى‬four daughters. [10]

Zainab: was the eldest; born in 5th year of marriage when he was 30; She was married to Abu al-Aas bin Rabi; She
died in 8AH; She had two children, Ali and Umaymah; she became Muslim but her husband did not initially; she
stayed behind with him when the other Muslims migrated to Madina; he fought in battle of Badr against the Muslims
and was captured; Zainab sent her mother’s necklace for his ransom; she returned to her father in Madina while her
husband was freed and returned to Makka; upon returning money to the people of Makka he became Muslim and
asked the Prophet to allow him to go back to Zainab; she died a year later.

Ruqayya: was three years younger than Zainab; She was married to Utbah, Abu Lahab’s son; She wasn’t yet
living with him when surah Lahab was revealed; Abu Lahab forced his son to divorce her; she then was
married to ‘Uthman; they migrated to Abyssinia twice; they migrated to Madina before the Prophet; she had a son
who died at the age of 6 (after her own death); she was ill at the battle of Badr and ‘Uthman was told to stay with
her.

Umm Kulthum: She was the third daughter of Prophet (PBUH) and was married to Utaibah, Abu Lahab’s son; like
Ruqayya she was divorced by her husband before she went to live with him; she was married to ‘Uthman after
Ruqayya’s death; she suffered the boycott to Shib-i-Abi Talib; she stayed behind in Makka when her father migrated;
she had no children.

Fatima: She was the Prophet Muhammad’s youngest daughter, She was born a few years before prophet hood. She
was upset over the treatment her father faced by the Quraysh in Makka; when he was persecuted and the Quraysh
threw animal entrails on him, she lifted it off and cleaned him.
She was married to Hazrat Ali and had two sons and two daughters (Hassan, Hussain, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum).
She suffered hardships after her marriage and did all the work at home herself, for example, grinding flour and
carrying water from the well. One of her nicknames was Az-Zahra, the resplendent one. Aisha said that she was the
one who resembled the Prophet (pbuh) the most. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, "Fatima is a part of
me and whoever offends her offends me." The Prophet (pbuh) showed his affection for her and would visit her
before he left on a journey and upon returning.
When the Prophet (pbuh) was ill, she was upset that he was dying but happy when he told her she would be joining
him soon. She was the only daughter to outlive the Prophet (pbuh) and passed away
five months after her father at the age of 29.

(b) Can Muslims learn from the Prophet’s (pbuh) bond with Fatima? Give reasons for your answer. [4]
The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, "Fatima is a part of me and whoever offends her offends me." The
Prophet (pbuh) showed his affection for her and would visit her before he left on a journey and upon returning.
The Prophet (pbuh) respected Fatima by standing when she entered a room, so Muslims learn from the Prophet’s
(pbuh) bond with Fatima that they should not disrespect their daughters but rather honour them; the Prophet never
mourned that he had daughters and no sons, so Muslims should not think that sons are better than daughters; he
shared a special bond with Fatima, so she was happy to know that she would be the first to follow him after his
death.

(b) What can be learned from her life about the relationship between parents and children?
The bond between the Prophet (pbuh) and Fatima shows that mutual love and respect needs to be nurtured
between parents and children. Parents should love all their children, male and female, and treat them well.
The way the Prophet (pbuh) showed love and respect for his daughter and the way Fatima always stood by her father
hold great lessons for Muslims.