We intend to study many events in the life of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah grant and bless him peace, to understand how he acted in different circumstances.
Non-Explicit Statements
The Prophet ﷺ was straightforward in talking and clearly and unambiguously discussed issues. However, at strategic moments, he used non-explicit statements and acted in a manner that other persons could not understand what he was up to. We have several reports of how he kept the targets of raids secret. Obviously, these events relate to the welfare of the community and were meant to serve his mission.
Similarly, we may cite the examples of the jokes he made. These were intended to keep his companions amused. The Prophet ﷺ had said that he made jokes, but always spoke the truth. When a woman enquired about her husband, he said, “Is he the man who has white in his eyes?” The woman got perplexed. The Prophet ﷺcommented that everyone has white in their eyes. In another incident, he said to a woman that he would let her ride the child of a she-camel. The woman got confused about how she could ride a child camel. The Prophet ﷺ clarified that every camel is a child of a she-camel.
Marrying the Divorced Wife of the Adopted Son
This was a very significant event in his life when it came to light that the relationship between his adopted son, Zayd, son of Haritha, may Allah be pleased with him, and his wife, Zaynab, daughter of Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her, was not cordial, and Zaid intended to divorce her. The Prophet ﷺ discouraged Zaid from this divorce. However, Allah’s scheme was different, as is obvious from the following verse.
“And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favour and you bestowed favour, ‘Keep your wife and fear Allah,’ while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So, when Zayd no longer had any need for her, We married her to you so that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.” (The Qur’an 33:37)
Allah decided that Zayd divorce his wife and the Prophet ﷺ marry her. This was a hard decision for the Prophet as it went against the custom of the land that forbade marrying the divorced wife of a son. The custom was rooted in the concept that an adopted son is like a son in all matters, including marriage and inheritance. This custom was to be broken, and Allah got it done through the example of His Prophet ﷺ. This masterstroke struck the barrier for good.
Zayd, son of Haritha, may Allah be pleased with him, was an adopted son, and not a son of the Prophet ﷺ. The Qur’an has announced, “Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men.” (The Qur’an 33:40)
Thus, the marriage of the Prophet with Zaynab, daughter of Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her, was announced by Allah as a divine decree. The next verse further elaborates the position, “There could be no hindrance to the Prophet regarding what Allah ordained for him.” (The Qur’an 33:38)
The Case of Prophet’s ﷺ Will
This incident has been discussed in many quarters. It is proper to understand the case. At the stage when the Prophet ﷺ was nearing death, he asked for a pen and paper so he could dictate a statement to prevent his followers from going astray. There were many companions at that place, and they discussed this. A group of them said that the pen and paper should be brought, while another group, particularly Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, had a different opinion. The plea was that the Prophet was overcome by his illness and that the Qur’an was sufficient for them. A dispute then arose among the companions present, with some siding with Umar and others wanting to obey the Prophet ﷺ. Displeased by the commotion, the Prophet ﷺ told everyone to leave without dictating the message.
Scholars have discussed this incident in view of the question as to the nature of the command of the Prophet ﷺ. It was obligatory or recommendary and the motive of those companions, particularly Umar, who were not willing to bring the pen and paper. It is opined that they intended to spare the Prophet ﷺ additional pain, understanding that the Prophet’s instruction was not an essential religious command.
The whole discussion of the scholars is about what the Prophet ﷺ intended to dictate. One opinion is that it is related to the appointment of Khalifa after his death. There is no final answer to this dispute. However, one opinion is that had the Prophet ﷺ intended to appoint his successor, there was enough time. This incident happened on Thursday, while the Prophet ﷺ died on the next Monday.
Building of Ka’aba on Its Original Foundation
Ka’aba, the structure around which Muslims do circumambulation during Hajj and Umrah rituals and towards which they say the prayers, is a square building. However, its original structure was nearly rectangular. At the time of rebuilding the structure, the Quraysh had a shortage of resources and so kept out a portion which is called Hijr Ismail. Prophet Muhammad, may Allah grant and bless him peace, intended to rebuild the structure to its original foundation, but did not do so. He said to his wife, Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, “If it had not been that your people had only recently ceased to be unbelievers, I would have completed the House on the foundations of Ibrahim.” In other words, he refrained from doing so in view of the possible dissent of people. It is important to note that when it came to facing the backlash of people for breaking their custom of not marrying the divorced wife of the adopted son, he did not care about their dissent. But in the case of the rebuilding of the Ka’aba, he considered their concerns. The primary reason is that the first case was a commandment of Allah that had to be abided by. While the other case was not that important and he preferred to avoid any strife on this account.