The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 244
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 244 a sacrifice by the Holy Prophet sa which was made as per the circumstances at hand, because, firstly, Saudah ra was a widow. Secondly, she was quite aged, such as shortly after her marriage, she became incapable of intercourse. Thirdly, she possessed no distinctive qualities either, which qualified her to the spousal partnership of the Holy Prophet sa , nor was there any special reason for attraction. Then, most of all, marrying her meant that the Holy Prophet sa was bringing a second wife in addition to the one, who became his wife by the divine selection of God Himself, and whom for this reason, the Holy Prophet sa loved dearly. Any individual can understand that no one weds another wife in addition to such a beloved one, without an extraordinary reason. Therefore, marriage to an aged woman like Ḥaḍrat Saudah ra with the presence of Ḥaḍrat ‘ Ā’ishah ra , evidently indicates that this was not (God-forbid) an arrangement for pleasure and lust, which the Holy Prophet sa was bringing into his home. Quite the contrary, it was a sacrifice by the Holy Prophet sa in light of the circumstances at hand. Hence, the actual and lasting proposal of the Holy Prophet sa was for Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra , with regards to whom God Almighty had Himself given a decision. Moreover, she was most suitable for the Holy Prophet sa because: First: She was a young girl, and for this reason, she was fully able to learn the teachings of Islām quickly, easily, and well, so as to become a religious teacher, which was necessary for the wife of a law-bearing prophet. Second: She was extremely sharp and intelligent, due to which she was very befitting for the learning of religious matters and for the understanding of religion. Third: Since she was young, it was anticipated that she would live for long, an anticipation which was in fact fulfilled. In this way, she would receive a longer opportunity to educate, train and preach among the Muslim women. Fourth: She was born into Islām, due to which the teachings of Islām were part of her life since childhood. From the time of her birth, she learned Islāmic habits and customs and was a very fine model of Islāmic teachings. Fifth: After the Holy Prophet sa , she was the daughter of the Awwalul-