The Prophet lived most sincerely and faithfully for 25 years with Khadija[^5]...

The Prophet lived most sincerely and faithfully for 25 years with Khadija[^5], and, though many beautiful Arab maidens and women were eagerly longing to marry him, not once did he take another wife during his married life with Khadija. No doubt if our Holy Prophet were interested in following sexual passions, he could not have refrained from mating with young women during this long period.

Groundless Views Of Bigoted Critics What if such unjust people were asked, `Why did the Prophet spend his youth with an aged widow and not marry other women?

Why did he take several women as wives in the last ten years of his life, which was the period of old age and when he was having to handle many problems regarding both the internal and external policies of Islam, it was not convenient for him to undertake the responsibilities of marital life?' And what if they were asked, `Was it not extremely troublesome and difficult to take care of helpless women each having several orphans?

Is it consistent with the pleasure-seeking nature of a man to bear the companionship of women with varied moods and manners?' Surely they have no choice but to admit that the Prophet was never sensual and pleasure-seeking and that they have accused him out of hostility and bigotry. John Davenport says, 'How is it possible for a sensual man to content himself with just one wife for 25 years in such a place where polygyny was common and prevalent.

[^6] The Number Of Wives Of The Holy Prophet After Khadija passed away, when the Holy Prophet was 53 years old, he took other wives including `Aisha, Hafsa, Zaynab bint Khuzayma, Umm Salma, Sauda bint Zama, Zaynab bint Jahash, Juwayriya, Safia, Maymuna, Umm Habiba and Marya.[^7] The conditions and circumstances that necessitated the several marriages of the Prophet should be studied. The main reasons for his marriages are the following: 1.

To Take Care Of The Orphans And The Destitute The Prophet took some of his wives in order to maintain the prestige and reputation they had when they previously had been living in comfort and honour but whose faith and honour were endangered due to the loss of their guardians - husbands, fathers, sons and their tribes - forcing them to abandon Islam and select polytheism and atheism. Sauda was like this.

Her husband passed away in Ethiopia, where they had migrated, leaving her alone and without support. The Prophet, who had lost Khadija and had no other wife, married Sauda.