Volume-03 ISSN: 2455-3085 (Online) Issue-08 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary August-2018 www.rrjournals.com [UGC Listed Journal] Status and Role of Women around Prophet Muhammad (SAW) *Dr. Afroz Ahmad Bisati Senior Assistant Prof., Department of Islamic Studies, Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora Kashmir (India) ARTICLE DETAILS ABSTRACT Article History The article is an attempt to identify and highlight the role and position of women during the Published Online: 07 August 2018 lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). That the Prophet (SAW) exhibited spiritual, social and intellectual equality by consulting the womenfolk in all important matters of life, and that Keywords it was not an aberration but norm to consult, contact and interact with them on the moral Prophet (SAW), Hadrat Khadija, Hadrat basis of them being independent moral being. Also, that the women around Prophet (SAW) „Aisha, Hadrat Hafsa, Hadrat Nusaybah, played a proactive role in and outside their homes. Hadrat Sumayah, Hadrat Zaynab, Ruqaiya, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah * Corresponding Author Email: afrozdaniya[at]gmail.com 1. Introduction historical figures such as Sumayah (RA), the first female martyr in the early days of Islam, and Nusaybah (RA), the female The moment we think of the role of the people around the Companion who fought valiantly with her family to protect the personality of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the early days of Prophet (SAW) in a battle, and other few known names. While Islam, we predominantly think of Muslim men (male Ashab). these women are no doubt role models in their piety, devotion, This mindset, to several, is a reflection of the patriarchal society and commitment to Deen, there are many other admirable that the Arabia wasat the advent of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). women as well who shaped the role of the Muslim women at the Even if when some writers recognize the role of Muslim women time of the Prophet (SAW). But to appropriate and appreciate around the Prophet they only focus on their role within the four these roles, we will first look into the Prophet‟s own household. walls of the house. However the recent researches, and when His wives and daughters provide the best of examples of the Islam is being revisited through the female mind also, have femalestandingand role in the Islamic history. Then the role of brought out the fact that Muslim women during and after the other women will be discussed. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) played key role in the establishment of Islam within and outside their households. The The special status of the Prophet‟s wives is emphasized in matter of fact is that if there were men Companions, there were the Qur‟an. Their distinction and status rested in them being also women Companions. If there were „Men around the addressed in the Qur‟an as the „Mother of the Believers‟,3 „Role Messenger‟ there are also „Women around the Messenger‟.1 models in the society‟,4 „Divine revelation proclaimed in their Each woman played her part in the best possible and in the homes‟,5 and „narrators of Hadith‟.6 Indeed, the first person to noblest way in the arena of faith and civilization. These women believe in Allah as the Lord and in Muhammad (SAW), as the excellently maintained necessary balance between the two Messenger and Prophet, was his wifeHadrat Khadijah(RA). She segments of humanity: male and female. They were motivated was the first person to support the Messenger of Allah.When by the Islamic injunction as expressed in the Qur‟an at several the Prophet (SAW) received the first five verses of the Qur‟an places that both men and women will be judged not by their (Surah al-„Alaq) the first person he related it to was a woman- gender but by the merit of their deeds. “Indeed, the Muslim men Khadijah (RA).7 The Prophet (SAW) while relating the most and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, important episode of his life did not took gender (female here) the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and into consideration. He shared it with a genderthat he knew was truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble strong and can understand, appreciate and respond most men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable appropriately. Hadrat Khadija,on her turn, strengthened him, women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard assured him and consoled him. She received the Prophet and their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who his message with a big heart.8 She was the woman who was remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them first to accept Islam. She was respected in her own right, and Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward”.2 In addition even by today‟s standard, would be seen as a woman of to the substantiation from the Qur‟an, the Sunnah also makes it strength and independence. She was the woman who became abundantly clear that while men and women are undoubtedly the employer and Prophet the employee. Although older than different from biological, psychological and emotional the Prophet (SAW) at the time of their marriage, and previously perspectives, the purpose of the creation of both males and twice widowed, she knew what it meant to seek strong females remains the same—to worship Allah (SWT). characteristics in a spouse—trustworthiness, honesty, honor and integrity. She understood the magnitude of the Message 2. Prophet’s wives (azwaj-i-mutahirat) and their position and the Prophet‟s mission and provided the support, both When we think of the role of women around the Prophet emotionally and financially, that strengthened the Prophet on his (SAW), the thought that often comes to mind is of prominent © RRIJM 2015, All Rights Reserved 302 | P a g e Volume-03, Issue-08, August-2018 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary journey in providing divine guidance and spiritual truth to the exhibited at times by drinking in the same glass,the left over world.9 water and from the same spot. Hadrat Khadijah (RA) was not only successful in fulfilling the Following his marriage to „Aisha (RA), the Prophet married honorable role of mother and wife in a way that we can all adore Hadrat Hafsa (RA), the daughter of Hadrat„Umar ibn al-Khattab today, she also was a successful business-woman, (RA). Similar to her father, Hafsa was of strong opinion and did entrepreneur in the modern parlance. Hadrat Khadija very well not hesitate to voice her views. She freely shared her thoughts knew what marriage meant as a partnership and as a shared on different topics with the Prophet (SAW), and he in turn responsibility. It is reported that she had two sons from her first encouraged her to freely engage in open and honest marriage, Hind and Hala, and a daughter from her second communication. She was among the Companions who marriage, Hindah. This noble woman, Khadijah (RA), provided memorized the Qur‟an and verified the written copies recorded the comfort and support for the Prophet (SAW) in his most after the death of the Prophet.13 In Hadrat„Uthman‟s reign, the difficult times, while also struggling through her own tests such Qur‟an was written from the main copy collected during the era as their two male sons dying in infancy. She raised their of Abu Bakr Siddiq. The Ashab had no hesitation in keeping the surviving daughters to be incredibly strong and well-respected last preserved word of God witha women-Hafsah bint „Umar. women. The beauty and icon of the paradigm shift in outlook of the female role after the advent of Islam is well appreciated and After his marriage to the daughters of „Umar and Abu Bakr, modeled in the life of the Hadrat Khadijah (RA).The Prophet the Prophet (SAW) married ZaynabbintKhuzayma (RA), a (SAW) said after her death: “She believed in me when no one widow whose husband died during the Battle of Badr. She died else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she shortly after the marriage, but even during that brief time she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend became known for her generosity and was called, with great me a helping hand.”10 They had two regard, the “Mother of the Poor.”14 Next, the Prophet sons, Qasim and Abdullah (nicknamed al-Ṭāhir and al- (SAW)married Umm Salma (RA), widowed after the battle of Ṭayyib respectively) who died young and four daughters— Uhud, known for her wisdom, mercy and faith. The Prophet Zaynab, Ruqaiya, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah.Emphasizing the (SAW) would often seek her advice on matters of importance to prominence of the Hadrat Khadijah, Hadrat „A‟ishah narrates of the Ummah. Umm Salma proved a great advisor to the Prophet Muhammad and Khadijah in Sahih Bukhari: “I did not feel (SAW) when he was apparently at a loss at the conclusion of jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet as much as I did of the Treaty of Hudaybiyya with the Makkans. After the Khadijah though I did not see her, but the Prophet used to conclusion of the treaty, perceived by the Muslims thoroughly mention her very often, and whenever he slaughtered a sheep, humiliating, the Prophet ordered them to shave their heads and he would cut its parts and send them to the women friends of put themselves in a state of penitence. None of them responded Khadijah. When I sometimes said to him, “(You treat Khadijah in to his call, which he repeated thrice.