Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Why can't Muhammad's Wives Remarry after his Death ?
On page 157, Armstrong states that, “the revelation went on to ordain that Muhammad's wives should not remarry after his death..." This statement is confusing to me because a marriage could possibly give his wives protection and financial stability which they cannot obtain on their own after his death. This is one of the reasons why Muhammad married widows whose husbands died in war. Muhammad was allowed to remarry after his first wife. He also married Zaynab only because he was attracted to her when he already had several wives. Looking at these facts, it is hard to find a reason why his wives should not find another person to love or care for after his death. The only reasons I have concluded about why Muhammad's wives should not remarry is because they would end up being harassed due to their involved with Muhammad and they would already have all the means needed for financial stability and protection.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
One possible consideration is that the husbands may have abused the power stemming from that connection with Muhammad, to make themselves seem as if they had more political/religious sway, which would not be a welcome division. Take the division between the Sunnis and the Shi'ites, which is based chiefly on the decision of who was the rightful Caliph to succeed Muhammad. Just imagine all the conflict stemming from such a relatively insignificant decision. Muhammad's wives certainly had a place of respect amongst Muslims and probably were in enough position of reverence to not need protection, as you propose.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Al. If Muhammad's wives were allowed to remarry then the man who married them would have power in the society just by that connection. However, there may have been a need to protect his wives as well because of the constant harassment they received because of Muhammad's role in the society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Al and Kelli about the fact that any man who remarried Muhammad's wives could boost his social standing with just that act. I don't know about the idea that his wives might not have needed protection, only because of the rest of mankind's view on women's rights in that society. I think it would have something to do with protection not the lack of it. I can't begin really to understand why there would be rule like that but it must be have logical explanation because Muhammad as we understand him was a rational person and thought out his decisions thoroughly.
ReplyDelete