Great Women in Islam

The answer for this week's quiz question (Which one of the Prophet's (PBUH) wives was regarded as the one with the longest arms due to spending the most in charity?) is:

• Zainub bint Jahsh (May Allah be plesaed with her) was born in the tribe of Quraish. She was of noble lineage.
• She was first married to the adopted son of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Zayd ibn Haritha (May Allah be pelased with him).
• Due to differences this marriage did not work out and after Zayd divorced Zainub she was married to the Prophet (PBUH).
• This served as a very important lesson in legislature for the Muslims. At the time, marrying the divorced wife of one's adopted son was regarded as taboo because it was regarded as marrying the wife of one's son. This incident showed that the same rules do not apply to adopted sons and biological sons and Allah intended to remove a burden that people were placing on themselves.
• It was reported by Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) that when Zainub heard the news of her divorce from Zayd and engagement to the Prophet (PBUH) she prostrated to Allah in gratitude.
• Zainub was headstrong and indepedent.
• She became a good friend to A'isha (May Allah be pleased with her).
• A'isha said that in terms of values- Zainub was her equal. She had never seen any other person so eager to get closer to Allah (SWT).
• Zainub gained nearness to Allah through her charity and generosity.
• She worked with her own hands (she did handicraft) and whatever she earned she spent in charity).
• Her behaviour with relatives was impeccable.
• She possessed Inner and Outer beauty!
• She was a God-fearing, straight forward woman who practiced abstinence.
• All her actions were aimed at pleasing Allah(SWT)
• When she lost her temper she was quick to repent and ask for forgiveness.
• She was Pure at heart- never resentful or carried grudges.
• She fasted often, an performed abundant optional prayers (salaat).
• At the time of the Prophet's (PBUH) death, his wives asked “which of us will join you first?” The Prophet (PBUH) replied by saying “ the one with long arms”, so they all began to measure only to realize that it was the one who spent most in charity.
• Zainub was the first to die after the Prophet (PBUH).

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