Muhammad's Marriages: The Complete List
While the Quran limits Muslim men to four wives (Quran 4:3), Muhammad received a special revelation allowing him unlimited wives (Quran 33:50). Historical sources document at least 11 marriages, with some scholars counting up to 13, plus several concubines.
The Eleven Confirmed Wives
1. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid
Muhammad's first wife (married when he was 25, she was 40). Married for 25 years until her death. She was a wealthy widow and mother of all his children except Ibrahim.
2. Sawdah bint Zam'ah
Elderly widow, married after Khadijah for companionship.
3. Aisha bint Abu Bakr
Married at age 6, consummated at age 9. Daughter of Muhammad's best friend Abu Bakr. His favorite wife after Khadijah. Virgin at marriage, unlike his other wives. See our detailed article on Muhammad's Marriage to Aisha.
4. Hafsah bint Umar
Daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab. Young widow of a Muslim who died at Badr.
5. Zaynab bint Khuzaymah
Known as "Mother of the Poor." Died within months of marriage.
6. Umm Salamah (Hind bint Abi Umayyah)
Widow of Abu Salamah. One of the most intelligent of his wives.
7. Zaynab bint Jahsh
Muhammad's cousin and former wife of his adopted son Zayd. Muhammad saw her and desired her, leading Zayd to divorce her. This marriage prompted Quran 33:37, justifying the union.
8. Juwayriyya bint al-Harith
Captive from the Banu Mustaliq raid. Her father was the chief of her tribe. Marriage was political to secure alliances.
9. Umm Habibah (Ramlah bint Abi Sufyan)
Daughter of Abu Sufyan, Muhammad's former enemy. Political marriage to secure alliance.
10. Safiyya bint Huyayy
Jewish captive whose husband Muhammad had killed. From the Banu Nadir tribe. Married the same day or within days after her husband died.
11. Maymunah bint al-Harith
Last wife Muhammad married. Marriage during a pilgrimage.
Disputed Additional Wives
Some sources list:
- Rayhana bint Zayd - Jewish captive, possibly wife or concubine
- Maria al-Qibtiyya - Coptic Christian slave/concubine (definitely had a child with Muhammad)
His Concubines
Maria the Copt (Maria al-Qibtiyya) - Most Famous Concubine
- Gift from the ruler of Egypt
- Mother of Muhammad's son Ibrahim (who died in infancy)
- Her presence caused jealousy among Muhammad's wives
Rayhana bint Zayd - Status Disputed
- Jewish captive from Banu Qurayza massacre
- Sources differ on whether she was wife or concubine
The Problematic Elements
1. The Zaynab bint Jahsh Scandal
Muhammad's marriage to his adopted son's ex-wife was considered incestuous in Arab culture. The Quran specifically addressed this:
"So when Zayd had accomplished his desire from her, We gave her to you in marriage, so that there should be no difficulty for the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished their desire from them; and Allah's command shall be performed." — Quran 33:37
This verse conveniently changed adoption laws to justify Muhammad's desire for Zaynab.
2. The Safiyya Case
Safiyya was captured when her tribe was defeated. Her husband Kinana was tortured and killed by Muhammad's orders to reveal hidden treasure. That same night or within days, Muhammad took her as a wife. She had no choice and no ability to refuse.
3. Special Quranic Privileges
"O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation and those your right hand possesses from what Allah has returned to you [of captives] and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet [and] if the Prophet wishes to marry her, [this is] only for you, excluding the [other] believers." — Quran 33:50
Muhammad received revelations exempting him from the four-wife limit and allowing him to marry without dowry if a woman offered herself to him.
4. The Rotation Controversy
Muhammad's wives had a rotation schedule for sleeping with him. When he broke this to spend extra time with Maria the Copt, his wives (especially Hafsa) complained. This led to:
"O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful to you, seeking the approval of your wives?" — Quran 66:1
Again, a convenient revelation allowed Muhammad to do as he pleased.
Biblical Contrast
The Bible's teaching on marriage is clear:
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." — Genesis 2:24 (emphasized by Jesus in Matthew 19:5)
The New Testament requires church leaders to be "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2), establishing monogamy as the standard.
For more on biblical marriage, see our Beliefs section.
Questions to Consider
- Why did Muhammad need special revelations to justify his marriages?
- How is marrying a captive whose husband you killed different from forced marriage?
- If Muhammad is the moral example for all time (Quran 33:21), what does this teach about marriage?
- Why did Muhammad receive exemptions from his own revelations limiting other men to four wives?