Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was married to one woman, Khadijah, for 25 years until her death, when he was about 50. His later marriages, after her death, were mostly to widows and for social and political reasons, such as to protect them, to form alliances and to teach the community through his household.
The fuller answer
Most of his wives were widows or divorced, some with children, and many of them were older than him. Marriages such as to Umm Salamah, whose husband had died, and Zaynab bint Khuzaymah, known as the 'mother of the poor', provided protection. Marriages to Juwayriyyah and Safiyyah, who were taken captive, resulted in their freedom and the release of many of their people. His wives also became teachers of women and transmitters of his example, and Aisha alone narrated over two thousand hadith.
The Quran gave him special rules in this matter, and a limit for the rest of the community of four wives. Critics argue it was a matter of desire and Muslims reply that a man with such desire would not have stayed with one older wife for 25 years, and that his enemies, who accused him of every other thing, did not accuse him of this.
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.
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. 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. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
This answer follows the mainstream Sunni understanding and is general learning, not a fatwa. Where Muslims differ, the answer says so. Have a question of your own? Write to us.
