Article
How many wives did Muhammad have?
The Qur’an permits Muhammad more wives than the four it allows other men. Muslim historians name Khadijah first, and Sunni hadith name Aisha among those who followed.
On this page
The Qur’an limits other men to four wives and gives Muhammad a wider list. Muslim historians begin that list with Khadijah. Watt’s Britannica biography says he is usually credited with fourteen wives or concubines, and that he was married only to Khadijah until she died.
Key points
- Qur’an 4:3
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Qur’an 4:3 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ tells other men to marry two, three, or four, or only one if they fear they will not be just. - Qur’an 33:50
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 Allāh 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. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ makes a longer list lawful for the Prophet and says it is only for him, not for the other believers. - al-Tabari, volume 6, page 47 says he married Khadijah at twenty-five, when she was forty.
- Qur’an 33:37
And [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allāh," while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.
Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ says God married him to Zayd’s former wife so believers would not be uneasy about the wives of their adopted sons. - Aisha’s age is her own report in Sahih al-Bukhari 5133
Narrated `Aisha: that the Prophet (ﷺ) married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death).
Sahih al-Bukhari 5133 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗. That page is How old was Aisha when she married Muhammad?.
The limit for other men
Qur’an 4:3And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Qur’an 4:3 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ (Saheeh International) says:
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Qur’an 4:3 · Saheeh International
The permission for Muhammad
Qur’an 33:50O 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 Allāh 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. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ (Saheeh International) says:
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 Allāh 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. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh International
Qur’an 66:1O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allāh has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Qur’an 66:1 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ (Saheeh International) addresses him about his wives:
O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allāh has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Qur’an 66:1 · Saheeh International
Khadijah, then Zaynab
al-Tabari, volume 6, page 47 (Watt and McDonald) says:
The Messenger of God married Khadijah when he was twenty-five years old. At that time, Khadijah was forty years of age
al-Tabari, volume 6, page 47
Britannica dates that marriage to 595 and says it stayed the only marriage until Khadijah died, after about twenty-five years. The wives after her belong to the Medina years.
Qur’an 33:37And [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allāh," while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.
Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ (Saheeh International) names the marriage to Zayd’s former wife:
And [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, “Keep your wife and fear Allāh,” while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.
Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh International
If you’re talking with a Shia Muslim
The verses above are Qur’an. Sunni and Shia Muslims share that book. Aisha’s ages are in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, which Sunni Muslims treat as the most reliable hadith. Which Muslims accept which hadith? A Shia reader can set those reports aside and still has Qur’an 4:3And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Qur’an 4:3 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗, Qur’an 33:50O 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 Allāh 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. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗, and Qur’an 33:37And [remember, O Muḥammad], when you said to the one on whom Allāh bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allāh," while you concealed within yourself that which Allāh is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allāh has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort [i.e., guilt] concerning the wives of their claimed [i.e., adopted] sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command [i.e., decree] of Allāh accomplished.
Qur’an 33:37 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗.
The Christian claim
Christians do not receive Muhammad as the pattern in Qur’an 33:21There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.
Qur’an 33:21 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗. They confess Jesus as God, the Word who was with God in John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 · King James Version. What do Christians believe about Muhammad?
Frequently asked questions
How old was Aisha?
In Sahih al-Bukhari she says six at the marriage contract and nine when she joined his household. The quotations are on How old was Aisha when she married Muhammad?.
Did the Qur’an allow every man the same number?
Qur’an 4:3And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Qur’an 4:3 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ stops at four. Qur’an 33:50O 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 Allāh 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. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Qur’an 33:50 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ says the longer list is only for the Prophet.
Where is the list of names?
This page quotes the Qur’an’s permission and the report about Khadijah. It does not invent a roster the sources here do not print in full. Britannica’s figure is fourteen wives or concubines, usually counted.
References
- Qur’an, 4:3; 33:50; 33:37; 66:1
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Qur’an 4:3 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ (Saheeh International, as published on Quran.com. The link is the first passage, 4:3.) - al-Tabari, The History of al-Tabari, volume 6, translated by W. Montgomery Watt and M. V. McDonald, p. 47 (State University of New York Press, 1988. The archive item is the set as linked. The quotation is volume 6, page 47.)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Muhammad, Biography (W. Montgomery Watt. The biography says he is usually credited with fourteen wives or concubines, and that the marriage to Khadijah was monogamous until her death.)
- Sahih al-Bukhari, 5133
Narrated `Aisha: that the Prophet (ﷺ) married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death).
Sahih al-Bukhari 5133 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ (English translation by Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Aisha’s age. The article is the linked page, not a second argument here.)
See also
- How did Muhammad die? — Muslim sources say Muhammad died in Medina in 632, at sixty-three, and that in his last illness he still felt the poison from a sheep he had eaten at Khaybar.
- How Old Was Aisha When She Married Muhammad? — In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha says she was married at six and that the marriage was consummated at nine. Those reports also say she remained with him nine years, until his death at sixty-three.
- Is Muhammad the Paraclete or Ahmad? — Some Muslims hear Muhammad in Jesus' promise of the Comforter, and in the name Ahmad in Qur'an 61:6. John 14–16 says who that person is.
- Is Muhammad the Prophet of Deuteronomy 18? — Qur'an 7:157 says the unlettered prophet is written in the Torah and the Gospel. Deuteronomy 18 is the passage most often offered.
- What are hadith and sira? — A hadith is a report of what Muhammad said or did. The sira is the biographical tradition of his life. Sunni and Shia Muslims do not treat the same hadith books as their canon.