Write about the lives of two of the following wives of the Prophet (pbuh): • Sawda bint Zama'a • Aisha bint Abu Bakr • Hafsa bint 'Umar • Umm Salama.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Sawda bint Zama'a (a): she was one of the first women to migrate to Abyssinia. Her husband had died, and she lived with her elderly father. She was middle-aged and had children from her previous marriage. She was the Prophet's second wife and people were surprised he wanted to marry someone who was widowed and older. They married one month after Khadija passed away to ease the Prophet's burden as help was needed to look after the prophet's children and household.
2. Sawda bint Zama'a (a): Her house was the first to be built in Madina and she welcomed other wives into the household. She was close to Aisha and gave up her time with the Prophet (pbuh) to Aisha. She was known for her generosity, and she died ten years after the Prophet (pbuh) had passed away. She never got out of her house after the Prophet's death as per his instruction.
3. Aisha bint Abu Bakr (a): she was the daughter of the Prophet's close companion, Abu Bakr. She was married to the Prophet (pbuh) in Madina at a young age and became his third wife.
4. Aisha bint Abu Bakr (a): She was known for her intelligence and sharp memory and became one of the greatest narrators of Hadith. She was involved in many important events in the life of the Prophet (pbuh), and verses were revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) about her in relation to the event of the necklace (Nur:11–19), where she had been left behind after the caravan she was travelling in left without her, and then she was taken back to Madina by Safwan ibn-Salami. This caused people to slander her, and the verses were revealed to prove her innocence.
5. Aisha bint Abu Bakr (a): The Prophet (pbuh) passed away whilst he was with her. Candidates could mention events in her life after the Prophet's death, e.g. Battle of the Camel, or that she was consulted by leading Companions due to her knowledge, but these details should be kept brief.
6. Hafsa bint 'Umar (a): she was the daughter of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and was widowed at a young age. Like Aisha, she memorised the Qur'an by heart. She lived with the Prophet (pbuh) for eight years. After his death when the Qur'an was compiled, a copy was kept with her for safekeeping, known as the Mushaf. 'Uthman took the Mushaf from her for standardising the Qur'an.
7. Hafsa bint 'Umar (a): She was also a narrator of Hadith. She quoted 60 Hadiths and was known for keeping fasts frequently. She was quick tempered like her father, and revelation came after the honey incident where she told the Prophet (pbuh) his mouth did not smell good after eating honey. She died around 60 years old.
8. Umm Salama (a): Her real name was Hind bint Abi Umaiya, and she was a widow when she married the Prophet (pbuh), her husband having died after becoming injured at Uhud. She and her husband were among the first to migrate to Abyssinia. After her husband passed away, she rejected marriage proposals from both Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. She said nobody was better than her husband, so she did not want to marry again and then the proposal came from the Prophet (pbuh). She accepted the Prophet's proposal, and they were married in 4AH.
9. Umm Salama (a): She memorised the Qur'an by heart and took part in many expeditions. She was one of the most intellectual of the wives. At Hudaiybiya the Prophet (pbuh) told the Companions to offer sacrifice, but they did not do it. Umm Salama then told the Prophet (pbuh) to do the sacrifice himself then the Companions will follow him. She was close to the Prophet's household, especially Fatima and her family. She outlived all the other wives of the Prophet (pbuh) and died at the age of 84.
10. General (b): Although they were wives of the Prophet (pbuh) and were given a special status, they were still in many ways active participants of the community.
11. General (b): They related many sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) due to their closeness with him, and Aisha, in particular, was involved in teaching both women and men about Islam through the Hadith that she narrated. This suggests that women should not only learn and educate themselves, but they can also teach others from what they have learned.
12. General (b): They were supportive and caring of each other and so women can look for ways in which they can offer support and care to other women even if only in their own household.
13. General (b): Women may be involved in advisor roles in the community. Just as the Prophet's wives offered advice and support to the Prophet (pbuh), women with relevant skills and experience should participate in roles where they can give advice, such as in mosques, etc.