Why did the Quran encourage Prophet Mohammed to marry his adopted son's wife?

Question

The Holy Quran in Chapter 33 ( Sura Al Azhab) Verse # 37 says
"Zaid had accomplished his desire from her (i.e. divorced her), We gave her to you in marriage, so that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the believers in respect of (the marriage of) the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have no desire to keep them (i.e. they have divorced them). And Allâh’s Command must be fulfilled. "

There were no proper reasons for Prophet Mohammed to marry Zainab his adopted son's wife. It does not seem very decent to me. If Zaid was having marital problems Prophet could engage her with another decent young man in Arab. Why did Allah encourage him to marry her at an old age? Any answers please?

Answer 1

It was also unlawful as was having more than five wives but for some reason Muhammad was allowed to break Allah's law and laws were changed for Muhammad and this is supposed to be the God of Abraham. We know God does not favor persons and does not change his laws.

Answer 2

Do not under any circumstance trust any random source with false words about our Prophet (PBUH). Zaid was not his (PBUH)'s real son. He was an adopted son. Therefore, he does not have the same status as a real son. Zainab was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s cousin. He (PBUH) wanted them to marry because he loved them both dearly. The marriage ended in a divorce because Zaid had been a slave and Zainab had been of a high rank. Though Islam doesn't discriminate people depending on status and the couple tried hard to stay together, the marriage didn't work out. Then Allah told Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to marry Zainab. He (PBUH) wasn't too eager about this idea because of what the people around him would think. He eventually did and loved Zainab as much as he loved his other wives and gave her the same status as he gave his other wives (which I must add was very high).

Answer 3

Allah, Himself answers that question through the very verse that you quote. Such is the beauty and wisdom of The Qur'an!
'so that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the believers in respect of (the marriage of) the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have no desire to keep them.'
In Islam, an adopted son is not a son! Legal issues involving who is or is not acceptable for marriage relations are based on such things, as:biological and fostering (breast-feeding) relations.
Allah ordered him to marry his adopted son's former wife to make it clear to ALL Muslims that in the sight of Allah an adopted son is not a son!
It is a common practice, also, amongst some Muslims-especially Arabs- to marry one's cousin. Although in The U.S. and Europe a cousin is perceived to be the same as one's sister/brother, this is not the case in The Islamic Faith.

Answer 4

To remove customs that were prevalent and very deep rooted.

Islam establishes very strongly that an adopted child is not to take the name of anyone except his biological father.

If this is not strictly done then the blood relations and marriage etc would become so confused and mixed up due to people making their adopted families bloodlines their own.

They would make marriage between unrelated people "unlawful" which would be wrong.


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Answer 5

Different world and time. It was very common to marry a widow off to the nearest kin. Read the story of Ruth and Naomi. gracethrufaith.com has a good easy to read story there.

Answer 6

Behold! Thou didst say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favour: "Retain thou (in wedlock) thy wife, and fear Allah." But thou didst hide in thy heart that which Allah was about to make manifest: thou didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that thou shouldst fear Allah. Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them. And Allah.s command must be fulfilled.

(33:37)

It doesn't work that way, see in Islam Adoption doesn't work that way. That Kid was not Mohammed's Son, in Islam you can take care of an orphan and pay for his/her expenses but they never become your sons or your daughters, they keep their own family name and their own father's name. Zaid had divorced his wife, and the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was free to Marry her (upon her Consent).

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and the Last of the Prophets.
(Qur’an 33:40)

Answer 7

to prooved that the adopted son is not like a real son. There is a logic...it is prohibited in Islam to give your name as a father to adopted son or daughter. If anyone gives his name to his adopted son/daughter, it shows you have a sexual relationship with his/her mother.