ZAINAB

June, 628A.D.

A couple lived in Madina. 

She - Zainab bint Jaish – i.e. Zainab, daughter of Jaish 

He - Zayd bin Mohammad i.e. Zayd the son of Mohammad, the prophet of Islam.

She in her early thirties, of considerable beauty, and he in his early forties. 

If Zayd felt lucky for being the son of a man, who was gaining acceptance amongst the nearby localities as a prophet, and husband of a beautiful wife, we do not know, but the chances are that he might have. 

All this was going to change.

It so happened that one day, Mohammad, in his late fifties came to Zayd’s house. As chance would have it, Zainab was alone at home as Zayd had gone outside. The visit is explained by renowned historian William Muir, in his biography of Mohammad as:

Mahomet was now near threescore years of age ; but Mahomet’s weakness for the sex seemed but to grow with age ; and the attractions of his increasing harem instead of satisfying appear rather to have stimulated desire after new and varied by his charms. Happening one day to visit his adopted son Zeid,he found him absent. As he knocked, Zeinab his wife, now over thirty years of age, but fair to look upon, invited him to enter; and, starting up in her loose and scanty dress, made haste to array herself for his reception. But the beauties of her figure through the half-opened door had already unveiled themselves too freely before the admiring gaze of Mahomet.

He was smitten by the sight :

'Gracious Allah!' he exclaimed ;

'Good Heavens ! how Thou dost turn the hearts of men!'

After uttering these words, he left. When Zayd came back, Zainab told him about visit of Mohammad and his words. 

Now, pause for a moment.

How would a son react to such a situation?

Would he trust her?

Would he feel angry?

Would he confront his father for such a lecherous behavior?

Well, he knew the nature of Mohammad as he had been his companion for many years, therefore he knew that Mohammad could behave in such a way. That is why he trusted her and went straight to Mohammad.

But not to confront him but to offer his wife to him.

Can you believe it?

A man going to his papa dear and offering his wife to him because he has taken a fancy to her.

You or I might not like to believe it but that is actually what he did.

So, how did Mohammad react? He said to Zayd:

Keep your wife to yourself and fear Allah. That should have been the end of this sordid episode but it was not to be.

In the words of William Muir:

But Zeid saw probably that the admonition proceeded from unwilling lips, and that the prophet had still a longing eye for Zeinab. Perhaps he did not care to keep her, when he found that she desired to leave him, and was ambitious of the new and distinguished alliance. And so he formally divorced her.

The life of Mahomet – pp 281

Immediately, new verses of Quran were revealed to Mohammad. According to these verses, Allah wanted Mohammad to take Zainab as his wife, without being afraid of what other men might think about the alliance.

You do not have to trust a Kaafir like me for this. Trust the Quran. Here it is:

And when you said to him to whom Allah had shown favor and to whom you had shown a favor: Keep your wife to yourself and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; and you concealed in your soul what Allah would bring to light, and you feared men, and Allah had a greater right that you should fear Him. But when Zaid had accomplished his want of her, we gave her to you as a wife, so that there should be no difficulty for the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished their want of them; and Allah's command shall be performed.

There can be no difficulty to the Prophet in what Allah has indicated to him as a duty. It was the practice (approved) of Allah amongst those of old that have passed away. And the command of Allah is a decree determined.

Quran – Chapter 33, Verse 37-38, by Yusuf Ali

याद करो (ऐ नबी), जबकि तुम उस व्यक्ति से कह रहे थे जिसपर अल्लाह ने अनुकम्पा की, और तुमने भी जिसपर अनुकम्पा की कि "अपनी पत्नी को अपने पास रोक रखो और अल्लाह का डर रखो, और तुम अपने जी में उस बात को छिपा रहे हो जिसको अल्लाह प्रकट करनेवाला है। तुम लोगों से डरते हो, जबकि अल्लाह इसका ज़्यादा हक़ रखता है कि तुम उससे डरो।" अतः जब ज़ैद उससे अपनी ज़रूरत पूरी कर चुका तो हमने उसका तुमसे विवाह कर दिया, ताकि ईमानवालों पर अपने मुँह बोले बेटों की पत्नियों के मामले में कोई तंगी न रहे जबकि वे उनसे अपनी ज़रूरत पूरी कर लें। अल्लाह का फ़ैसला तो पूरा होकर ही रहता है

नबी पर उस काम में कोई तंगी नहीं जो अल्लाह ने उसके लिए ठहराया हो। यही अल्लाह का दस्तूर उन लोगों के मामले में भी रहा है जो पहले गुज़र चुके है - और अल्लाह का काम तो जँचा-तुला होता है।

Quranhindi – Hindi translation by Farooq Khan and Ahmed Published by ‘Madhur Sangam’ Jamia Nagar.

Did you get it?

Yes folks. If Allah decides some woman for prophet, then there has to be no difficulty for the prophet. All the relations become secondary in comparison to the ‘desire’ of prophet.

But how can one justify something of such grave violation of civil laws. The justification for marrying the daughter in law was given by Allah as:

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.

Quran – chapter 33, verse 40

So, effectively, Allah is saying that Mohammad is not the father of Zayd. That would have meant a free hand for Mohammad. After all, who can deny the authority of Allah.

To leave no room for any doubt, Allah has sent the message as:

Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his (one) body: nor has He made your wives whom ye divorce by Zihar your mothers: nor has He made your adopted sons your sons. Such is (only) your (manner of) speech by your mouths. But Allah tells (you) the Truth, and He shows the (right) Way.

Quran – chapter 33, verse 4

So, adopted son is a relation, which the lowly human beings have invented.  Allah and Mohammad are much more broad minded. Therefore, adopted sons are no longer sons.

The next installment of the divine message is even clearer:

Call them by (the names of) their fathers: that is juster in the sight of Allah. But if ye know not their father's (names, call them) your Brothers in faith, or your maulas. But there is no blame on you if ye make a mistake therein: (what counts is) the intention of your hearts: and Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

Quran – chapter 33, verse 5

That was that. After that day, the poor Zayd, not only lost his pretty wife to Mohammad but was renamed as Zayd bin Harith from Zayd bin Mohammad, Harith being his biological father.

The historians say that the pre Islamic Arabia considered the union of a father with his daughter in law to be unlawful. But with a little help from the ‘all merciful Allah’ our Mohammad had it made ‘lawful’ for him.

But Allah was not content with just this one union. He wanted a lot more for Mohammad. So, Allah has obligingly provided a long list of women which have been made lawful for our beloved prophet. Take a look:

O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts, and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts, who migrated (from Makka) with thee; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her;- this only for thee, and not for the Believers (at large); We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess;- in order that there should be no difficulty for thee. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

ऐ नबी हमने तुम्हारे वास्ते तुम्हारी उन बीवियों को हलाल कर दिया है जिनको तुम मेहर दे चुके हो और तुम्हारी उन लौंडियों को (भी) जो खुदा ने तुमको (बग़ैर लड़े-भिड़े) माले ग़नीमत में अता की है और तुम्हारे चचा की बेटियाँ और तुम्हारी फूफियों की बेटियाँ और तुम्हारे मामू की बेटियाँ और तुम्हारी ख़ालाओं की बेटियाँ जो तुम्हारे साथ हिजरत करके आयी हैं (हलाल कर दी और हर ईमानवाली औरत (भी हलाल कर दी) अगर वह अपने को (बग़ैर मेहर) नबी को दे दें और नबी भी उससे निकाह करना चाहते हों मगर (ऐ रसूल) ये हुक्म सिर्फ तुम्हारे वास्ते ख़ास है और मोमिनीन के लिए नहीं और हमने जो कुछ (मेहर या क़ीमत) आम मोमिनीन पर उनकी बीवियों और उनकी लौंडियों के बारे में मुक़र्रर कर दिया है हम खूब जानते हैं और (तुम्हारी रिआयत इसलिए है) ताकि तुमको (बीवियों की तरफ से) कोई दिक्क़त न हो और खुदा तो बड़ा बख़शने वाला

Quran – chapter 33, verse 50

Allah has sanctioned almost all kinds of first cousins for the prophet (Zainab was also his first cousin).

Allah is all merciful. The hapless women, who were captured by Mohammad and his followers, after killing their men folk were either kept as concubines or sold as slaves. Allah wants Mohammad to use them for his sexual desires, in case he wants a change from his numerous wives. The women should be pleased for this special status for them. Shouldn’t they? Now, they will be at the beck and call of the man who was responsible for the murder of their father, brothers, husband and other menfolk.

Some of you might think that it is just theoretical. You have underestimated Mohammad. He was a very practical man. And successful too. To know his practical application of this verse, you must read about the story of his other wives Juwairiyya and Saffiya . And his concubines Maria and Rehana.

But then, for ordinary folks, keeping a single wife in good humour can become testing. Then how would Mohammad manage so many wives? Allah sorted out this too:

Thou mayest defer (the turn of) any of them that thou pleasest, and thou mayest receive any thou pleasest: and there is no blame on thee if thou invite one whose (turn) thou hadst set aside. This were nigher to the cooling of their eyes, the prevention of their grief, and their satisfaction - that of all of them - with that which thou hast to give them: and Allah knows (all) that is in your hearts: and Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.

इनमें से जिसको (जब) चाहो अलग कर दो और जिसको (जब तक) चाहो अपने पास रखो और जिन औरतों को तुमने अलग कर दिया था अगर फिर तुम उनके ख्वाहॉ हो तो भी तुम पर कोई मज़ाएक़ा नहीं है ये (अख़तेयार जो तुमको दिया गया है) ज़रूर इस क़ाबिल है कि तुम्हारी बीवियों की ऑंखें ठन्डी रहे और आर्जूदा ख़ातिर न हो और वो कुछ तुम उन्हें दे दो सबकी सब उस पर राज़ी रहें और जो कुछ तुम्हारे दिलों में है खुदा उसको ख़ुब जानता है और खुदा तो बड़ा वाक़िफकार बुर्दबार है

Quran – chapter 33, verse 51

What ingenuity! Keep and change wives at will. All sanctioned by Allah. Indeed, Allah is all knowing.

Since we talked about the practical aspects of the prophet, did it ever cross his mind that like he took Zainab, some day, a good looking hunk might turn the tables on him?

We don’t know. But look at this verse:

O ye who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses,- until leave is given you,- for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation: but when ye are invited, enter; and when ye have taken your meal, disperse, without seeking familiar talk. Such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet: he is ashamed to dismiss you, but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Messenger, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's sight an enormity.

ऐ ईमान लानेवालो! नबी के घरों में प्रवेश न करो, सिवाय इसके कि कभी तुम्हें खाने पर आने की अनुमति दी जाए। वह भी इस तरह कि उसकी (खाना पकने की) तैयारी की प्रतिक्षा में न रहो। अलबत्ता जब तुम्हें बुलाया जाए तो अन्दर जाओ, और जब तुम खा चुको तो उठकर चले जाओ, बातों में लगे न रहो। निश्चय ही यह हरकत नबी को तकलीफ़ देती है। किन्तु उन्हें तुमसे लज्जा आती है। किन्तु अल्लाह सच्ची बात कहने से लज्जा नहीं करता। और जब तुम उनसे कुछ माँगों तो उनसे परदे के पीछे से माँगो। यह अधिक शुद्धता की बात है तुम्हारे दिलों के लिए और उनके दिलों के लिए भी। तुम्हारे लिए वैध नहीं कि तुम अल्लाह के रसूल को तकलीफ़ पहुँचाओ और न यह कि उसके बाद कभी उसकी पत्नियों से विवाह करो। निश्चय ही अल्लाह की दृष्टि में यह बड़ी गम्भीर बात है

Quran – chapter 33, verse 53

Now you know the genesis of tradition of Purdah.

The million dollar question is – How do you hide such truths from surfacing in public because any rational human being whether Muslim or Non Muslim will feel revulsed by such acts?

The solution is discourage discussions about the truth of prophet’s life. If someone tries to bring them out, issue a Fatwa. Either kill him/her or scare him/her. E.g. Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasreen, Anwar Sheikh, Salman Taseer etc.

The second solution should run parallel. A disinformation campaign. The Islamic scholars will tell you that most of the wives of Mohammad were either widows or divorcees. Thus, they will imply that the prophet was a kind soul who married these suffering women out of sympathy towards them. In tune with this, they tell you that Zainab was a divorcee and Mohammad did a great job by marrying her. You can read such justifications here and here and here.

These Maulavis and so called ‘scholars’ earn their bread, butter, chicken, scotch, BMWs and everything out of Islam. They dread the day when ordinary folks will come to know the real facts and start leaving Islam. That is why they spend mind boggling sums of money on disinformantion campaigns and brain wash ordinary Muslims. Most of these simple Muslims believe the crap dished out to them by these liars.

Let us change the scripture.

In Sri Ram Charit Manas by Tulsi Das, Sri Ram shoots an arrow from a hidden place to kill Bali. The shot is fatal. Before dying, Bali confronts Sri Ram and asks him that although you (Sri Ram) are a reincarnation of the supreme being, why you have killed me by deception?

Sri Ram answers him:

अनुज बधु भगिनी सुत नारी, सुनु सठ  कन्या सम ए चारी,

इन्हीं कुदृष्टि बिलोकई जोई, ताहि बधें कछु पाप न होई.

Which means:

The wife of younger brother, ones own sister, brother’s daughter and wife of ones son; these four are like ones own daughter. One who tries to seduce any of these should be killed. It will not be a sin.

It is historical fact or myth or a mixture of both, is not the issue. The issue is the diametrically opposite views of two different books.

One is based on the desires of a single human being and the other which withstands the moral, social and scientific scrutiny.

Still the perverted politicians, Marxist scholars and stupid religious leaders want us to believe that all religions are same.

Well, good luck to them but I am not buying it.

ANOTHER ONE FOR PROPHET

Let us see how Mohammad, the prophet and founder of Islam, got his seventh wife named Juwairiya. The Islamic evidence in this regard is very clear. I am quoting two universally accepted books of Islam.

Ibn 'Aun reported: I wrote to Nafi' inquiring from him whether it was necessary to extend (to the disbelievers) an invitation to accept (Islam) before making them in fight. He wrote (in reply) to me that it was necessary in the early days of Islam. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) made a raid upon Banu Mustaliq while they were unaware and their cattle were having a drink at the water. He killed those who fought and imprisoned others. On that very day, he captured Juwairiya bint al-Harith. Nafi' said that this tradition was related to him by Abdullah b. Umar who (himself) was among the raiding troops.

Sahih Muslim - Book 019, No. 4292

The same is also mentioned in another Hadith:

I wrote a letter to Nafi and Nafi wrote in reply to my letter that the Prophet had suddenly attacked Bani Mustaliq without warning while they were heedless and their cattle were being watered at the places of water. Their fighting men were killed and their women and children were taken as captives; the Prophet got Juwairiya on that day. Nafi said that Ibn 'Umar had told him the above narration and that Ibn 'Umar was in that army. 

Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 46, No. 717

These references from the most respected Islamic books should settle the fact that Juwairiya was captured in the raid and was taken by prophet Mohammad. In the similar manner he had taken another 'wife' named Safiya. 

Let us get back to the tragedy that had befallen upon Juwairiya and the raid which changed her life, forever. It had been a very productive raid on the Jews. According the Biography of Mohammad, after the raid on the hapless Jews, enormous booty was captured:

Two hundred families, 2,000 camels, and 5,000 sheep and goats, besides much household goods, formed the booty. It was divided in the usual manner.

'The life of Mahomet' by William Muir. pp 287

Some of my readers might not have understood the import of the words 'usual manner'. 

It so happens that Mohammad had built around himself, a group of men, with the promise that Allah had given permission to Muslims to loot and plunder 'others'. These 'others' covered and still covers all those who are not Muslims. On top of that, Allah wanted the Muslims to plunder the 'others' and take their women, children and property for themselves. 

This plunder or war booty is called 'ghanima' (the same word which is loosely used in our part of world as ग़नीमत) in Quran. This made accepting the new religion, Islam, very attractive for some men of the nearby tribes. The importance of 'ghanima' was very clear to Mohammad, that is why, there is one complete chapter dedicated to the 'war booty' or ghanima. It is also called Anfal. This chapter 8 of Quran is called 'Al Anfal'. The first verse of the chapter is:

(ऐ रसूल) तुम से लोग अनफाल (माले ग़नीमत) के बारे में पूछा करते हैं तुम कह दो कि अनफाल मख़सूस ख़ुदा और रसूल के वास्ते है तो ख़ुदा से डरो (और) अपने बाहमी (आपसी) मामलात की इसलाह करो और अगर तुम सच्चे (ईमानदार) हो तो ख़ुदा की और उसके रसूल की इताअत करो 

Farooq Khan and Nadwi

They ask you O dear Prophet (Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) concerning the war booty; say, “Allah and the Noble Messenger are the owners of the war booty; so fear Allah and maintain friendship among yourselves; and obey Allah and His Noble Messenger, if you have faith." 

Ahmed Raza Khan

Here, it is pertinent to mention that Ahmed Raza Khan is one of the most respected Islamic scholars. So much so that the government of India has released a postage stamp bearing his name. Now about the chapter in Quran.

Thus, the revelation of this chapter, made plundering a 'holy' deed, exclusively for Muslims. Remember Mohammad Ghauri, Gaznawi, Babar, Balban, Aurangzeb, Nadir Shah.They came here for our wealth and our women. The intent was Jihad. The attraction was women and plunder. Out of this plunder, 20% is for the Prophet. After death of Mohammad, this 20% share went to Khalifa. This is the 'usual manner' of distribution of women and property (read about Hindu women sent to Khalifa here). This is also mentioned in Quran.

And know that whatever you take as war booty, a fifth of that belongs to Allah and His Noble Messenger, and to relatives, and orphans, and the needy, and the traveller – if you have accepted faith in Allah and what We sent down to Our bondman on the decisive day – the day when two armies had met; and Allah is Able to do all things.

Ahmed Raza Khan - Chapter 8, Verse 41

The sanction of Allah is also mentioned in Quran:

Therefore benefit from the war booty that you have received, lawful and good; and  fear Allah; indeed Allah is most Forgiving, Most Merciful. 

Quran 8:69

Do not be shocked. The Most merciful Allah has said that the Muslims can benefit from the booty because it is 'lawful and good'. Can Allah like looting of innocents, plundering and raping of women?

Here is what Quran says about captive women:

Also (forbidden are) women already married, except those (captives and slaves) whom your right hands possess.

Quran  - 4:24

Anyway, I guess that gives you a fair idea of the 'usual manner' of distributing the booty by 'prophet' and 'his' men.

The Biographer of Mohammad, William Muir, tells us about the distribution of booty collected in the attack on Jewish tribe of Bani Mustaliq.

The household stuff was sold to the highest bidder. In the division a camel was reckoned equal to ten sheep or goats. Each horseman had three times the share of a footman, two being reckoned for the horse. Mahomet desired by this rule to encourage the development of cavalry in his army.

Mind you, he wrote this biography more then a century ago and has not been disputed by any Islamic scholar. The reason is that the information is authentic.

Now, try to think about a beautiful girl of twenty years, married to a young man who is the chief of the tribe. One fine morning, the tribe is raided, her husband is killed and she is wedded to the murderer of her husband.

Can any woman accept such a person as her new 'husband'?

Well, the apologists of Islam say so. They want us to believe that Juwairiyah became a very devout follower of Islam and spent a large part of her day in prayers. So much so that whenever Mohammad came to her, he found her praying. 

Mohammad suggested to her a shorter way of praying. He told her to say:

subhaana allahe 'adada khalqihi, subhana allahe ridhaa nafsehe, subhana allahe zinata 'arshehe, subhana allahe zinata 'arshehe,subhana allah midadda kalimaatihi.

According to Mohammad, these words would be 'heavier in the scale than what she had done'. It means  - Praise Allah as many times as number of his creatures, and as much as pleases him, and as much as the weight of his throne, and as much as the ink for his words.

Some who do not believe in Islam say that continous praying was a tactic adopted by the young woman to avoid having sex with Mohammad. Mohammad being the wiser suggested her a shortcut to decrease her time of prayers. If these words are so miraculous then why Muslims all over the world have to spend so much time, five times a day.

If it is true, we will never know.