Why did Muhammed adopt a son then later on marry his adopted son's wife?

Question

Isn't that a bit strange for a so called holy man?

Answer 1

Hadhrat Zainab bint-i-Jahash (ra) was also a cousin of the Prophet (pbuh). This marriage was prompted by a special incident. Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) got married to Hadhrat Zayed (ra) - the freed slave and adopted son of the Prophet (pbuh). This marriage took place on the insistence of the Prophet (pbuh), although Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) did not want it. The reason was that she belonged to the elite of Makkah and Hadhrat Zayed (ra) was a former slave. The marriage remained on rocks throughout the period that they lived together because Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) considered herself socially superior to Hadhrat Zayed (ra). Tired by their regular clashes and Hadhrat Zaynab's (ra) indifference towards him, Hadhrat Zayed (ra) showed his intention to divorce Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) time and again. However, the Prophet (pbuh) persuaded him not to do so, because he felt responsible for any mishap, as the marriage had taken place on his insistence. Secondly the message of equality of slaves and free humans that he wanted to practically communicate through this marriage would fail in case of divorce. Nevertheless, because of these troubles of the marriage, foreseeing divorce as inevitable in the near future, the Prophet (pbuh) was already considering to marry Hadhrat Zaynab (ra) if as the last resort the incident of divorce did take place, in order to console her (because the marriage had taken place on the Prophet's insistence). Moreover, keeping in mind the social status of slaves, it was highly unlikely that any person of a good social standing would take Hadhrat Zaynab in marriage, as she would then be a divorcee of a slave. The only reluctance, which the Prophet (pbuh) had in this regard, was that marriage with the divorcee or the widow of one's adopted son was considered prohibited, exactly like marriage with the divorcee or the widow of one's real son. However, ultimately, Hadhrat Zayed (ra) divorced Hadhrat Zaynab (ra). It was at this juncture that the Qur'an intervened and in order to correct the wrong tradition (of holding the divorcee or the widow of one's adopted son prohibited), the Prophet (pbuh) was directed to marry Hadhrat Zaynab. While directing the Prophet (pbuh) to marry Hadhrat Zaynab (ra), the Qur'an has specifically mentioned that because as the last prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is also supposed to correct all the wrong traditions that are followed in the name of the Shari`ah and thereby complete God's religion in totality, therefore it is essential that this tradition be corrected by the Prophet (pbuh).
If messenger of Allah(pbuh) had intension to marry Hadhrat Zainab bint-i-Jahash (ra) , he would have married before telling his adopted son to marry her.. Bcz Allah(swt) ordered him, Prophet Muhammed(pbuh) married Hadhrat Zainab bint-i-Jahash(ra) ..

Answer 2

no at all. as adopted son has no legal or religious value. There was a taboo at that time to marry the wife of adopted son was a sin. But pls remember that adopted son first gave divorce and then he married.
and for ur information in Isalm it is a sin to marry wife of a son (from own blood)

Answer 3

If were a choice between a donkey or a camel, what would your choice be? That'll give you some insight in the crazy world of everyone's favourite kidder, Mohammed.

Mmmm, the ''justifications'' are almost as strange as the purported fact.

Answer 4

When he saw Zaynab(adopted son's wife) half-naked while he was coming to visit his son,He said,O Lord ,How you Changed My Heart !!!Then he claimed that God is against adoption,he potentiated the stance with a verse he claimed he's just received from God,ordered his son to divorce her,and added her to his collection of wives.According to this shameful act,Orphanges in islamic countries are full with poor childs who have nobody to adopt them because of Muhmmad's Whimsy.

Answer 5

Sounds like a Woody Allen maneuver!

Answer 6

He was a example - everyone wants to do what he did so Allah (swt) told him about who to marry and then he did and if he only married one person and of one age then people even after would start to do that - by doing this marriage they are showing it is allowed in the Islamic law

Answer 7

Dont know why he did so, but I am sure he must have had his reasons. The answers here are pretty interesting. I hope no one's religious sentiments are pricked. :)

Answer 8

maybe the adopted son was gay

Answer 9

If he was a Democrat, this is acceptable behavior.

Answer 10

Well he used "Allah" to get what he wanted. I mean he was obviously smarter than his followers and he knew how to manipulate them. What better way than to walk around proclaiming Allah said i could have this Allah said I could have that. I mean it was ingenious.