Zaynab bint Jahsh

Zaynab bint Jahsh, cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, is the only one of his wives whose marriage is directly mentioned in the Quran (Surah al-Ahzab, 33:37). She was known for her deep piety and generosity.

Zaynab bint Jahsh was the cousin of the Prophet ﷺ. She had first been married to Zayd ibn Haritha, the Prophet's ﷺ adopted son (the only Companion named in the Quran). This marriage was unhappy and ended in divorce.

The Quran then reports that the Prophet ﷺ married Zaynab, by God's command, to abolish a pre-Islamic prohibition: it was believed at the time that one could not marry the ex-wife of an adopted son, as if he were a biological son. This marriage established that adoption does not create the same prohibitions as biological filiation.

Zaynab was renowned for her devotion, her handiwork, and her charity: she would craft items to sell and donate the proceeds to the poor.

On the number of wives: contrary to a common misconception, Islam does not permit an unlimited number of wives. For believers, the Quran sets a maximum of four, subject to the condition of equal treatment, and recommends taking only one if there is fear of injustice (Surah an-Nisa, 4:3). The Prophet ﷺ held a special status (Surah al-Ahzab, 33:50); God then forbade him from marrying additional women (33:52), thus fixing the number of his wives.

Zaynab bint Jahsh teaches active piety and generosity through work. Her story also reminds us that Islam came to correct unjust customs — here, by clarifying the status of adoption.

فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًا زَوَّجْنَاكَهَا لِكَيْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَرَجٌ فِي أَزْوَاجِ أَدْعِيَائِهِمْ

Souviens-toi lorsque tu disais à celui qu’Allah a comblé de Ses bienfaits et que tu avais toi-même comblé : « Garde ton épouse et crains Allah ! » Craignant les reproches des gens, tu dissimulais en toi-même ce qu’Allah allait dévoiler, alors qu’Allah est plus en droit d’être redouté. Lorsque Zayd eut mis fin à leur union, Nous en avons fait ton épouse afin que les croyants puissent, sans que cela soit considéré comme un péché, épouser les anciennes femmes de leurs fils adoptifs. L’arrêt d’Allah devait être exécuté.

33:37