About
The Prophet's ﷺ cousin, daughter of his aunt Umayma bint ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, and a Mother of the Believers (33:6). At his urging she married Zayd; after their divorce Allah joined her to the Prophet ﷺ by the words of 33:37, so that none should hesitate to marry the former wife of an adopted son. She would say that Allah Himself had married her, from above the seven heavens (Bukhārī). Generous, and working with her hands to give charity, she was the first of his wives to die after him (Muslim).
The name
A fragrant flowering tree. Her name had been Barra; the Prophet ﷺ renamed her Zaynab (Muslim).
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ hadith
Relationships
HusbandHer husband, by the command of 33:37
HusbandHer first husband, married at the Prophet's ﷺ urging
Key appearances
Tap a reference to read the āyah — Arabic with English beneath.