# Zaynab bint Jahsh

> cousin and seventh wife of Muhammad (c. 590–641)

**Wikidata**: [Q144396](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q144396)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaynab_bint_Jahsh)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zaynab-bint-jahsh

## Summary
Zaynab bint Jahsh was a cousin and the seventh wife of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, living in 7th-century Arabia. She is recognized as one of the "Mothers of the Believers" in Islamic tradition and played a significant role in early Islamic history.

## Biography
- Born: c. 592 CE
- Nationality: Arabian (7th-century Mecca/Medina)
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Being a wife of Muhammad and a figure in early Islamic history
- Employer(s): Not applicable
- Field(s): Religious history, early Islam

## Contributions
Zaynab bint Jahsh is primarily known for her role as one of the wives of Muhammad and as a member of the early Muslim community. Her marriage to Muhammad is historically significant in the context of establishing norms and precedents in Islamic marital and social conduct. She is not known to have authored works or led institutions, but her personal story contributed to the development of Islamic jurisprudence and social teachings.

## FAQs
**Who was Zaynab bint Jahsh?**  
Zaynab bint Jahsh was a cousin and seventh wife of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She is recognized as one of the "Mothers of the Believers" and is a notable figure in early Islamic history.

**What is the significance of Zaynab bint Jahsh in Islamic history?**  
Her marriage to Muhammad is significant as it addressed and nullified pre-Islamic Arab social customs regarding adoption and marriage. Her union with Muhammad, after her previous marriage to his adopted son Zayd ibn Harithah, fulfilled a divine directive in Islam.

**When was Zaynab bint Jahsh born and when did she die?**  
She was born around 592 CE and died in 641 or 642 CE. These dates are approximate and based on historical and Islamic traditional sources.

**Was Zaynab bint Jahsh related to Muhammad before her marriage?**  
Yes, she was Muhammad’s cousin, being the daughter of his paternal aunt, Umaymah bint Abd al-Muttalib. This familial connection added religious and cultural significance to her role in early Islam.

**Did Zaynab bint Jahsh have any children?**  
There is no historical record indicating that Zaynab bint Jahsh had children, either from her marriage to Muhammad or from her previous marriage to Zayd ibn Harithah.

## Why They Matter
Zaynab bint Jahsh's life and marriage to Muhammad played a pivotal role in shaping early Islamic social norms and religious jurisprudence. Her union with Muhammad, following the dissolution of her marriage to his adopted son, directly influenced Islamic rulings on adoption and marriage, particularly the invalidation of adopted son-father-in-law marriage prohibitions. This event is seen as a divine directive within Islamic tradition and is referenced in the Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab). Her story is often cited in discussions about gender relations and divine will in early Islamic society.

## Notable For
- Being one of the "Mothers of the Believers" in Islamic tradition
- Marriage to Muhammad, which influenced Islamic rulings on adoption and marital laws
- Descending from a notable family in Meccan society (her father was Jahsh ibn Ri'ab)
- Her role in early Islamic history as both a cousin and wife of the prophet Muhammad

## Body

### Early Life and Lineage
Zaynab bint Jahsh was born into a prominent Meccan family. Her father, Jahsh ibn Ri'ab, was from the Banu Asad tribe, and her mother, Umaymah bint Abd al-Muttalib, was an aunt of Muhammad. This made Zaynab Muhammad's cousin. She was among the early converts to Islam and was known for her noble character and devotion.

### Marriage to Zayd ibn Harithah
Before her marriage to Muhammad, Zaynab was married to Zayd ibn Harithah, Muhammad’s adopted son. This marriage was arranged by Muhammad himself, but it eventually dissolved. The dissolution of this marriage and its aftermath played a significant role in shaping Islamic teachings on adoption and marriage.

### Marriage to Muhammad
Following the end of her marriage to Zayd, Zaynab married Muhammad, becoming his seventh wife. This marriage was significant not only personally but also religiously, as it was commanded in the Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab) and served to redefine social norms regarding adoption and familial ties in early Islamic society.

### Death and Legacy
Zaynab bint Jahsh died in either 641 or 642 CE. Her life and marriages remain significant in Islamic history, particularly in discussions about prophetic marriages and their implications for Islamic law and social conduct. Her story is often referenced in Islamic theology and feminist scholarship as an example of divine will and social reform.

### Religious and Cultural Impact
Zaynab’s life is frequently cited in Islamic texts and commentaries as a key example of how personal decisions and divine commands intersected to shape early Islamic norms. Her role in the revelation of Quranic verses related to marriage and adoption underscores her lasting influence on Islamic jurisprudence.

## References

1. Source
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Quora
4. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/zeyneb-bint-cahs)