An Analytical Study of the Ownership Status of the Houses of Ummahat ul-Mu'minin

امہات المؤمنین کے حجروں کی تملیکی حیثیت کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

At the time of the death of Rasulullah ﷺ, nine wives were still alive. There were nine houses for their residence because in Islamic teachings it is necessary to give each wife a separate room or house so that they do not have to bear any kind of trouble.  In the terms of Sharia, we call it ‘Haq’ refers to habitation. These houses of Ummahat-ul-Mu'minin are also called "Hujras". After coming to Madinah, when the construction of the Prophet's Mosque was completed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) built houses for two wives for which land was given by Haritha bin Nu'man Ansari. When the number of wives increased, the Prophet (peace be upon him) built more houses. Ummahat-ul-Mu'minin got these houses for permanent residence for life as their sustenance was also for life. After the death of Ummahat-ul-Mu'minin, these houses became part of the Prophet's Mosque. However, the opinion of some people regarding the residence status of Ummahat-ul-Mu'minin in these houses is that these houses were given to them only for residence. While some people say that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) bequeathed these houses to them during his lifetime. As the legacy of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cannot be continued, therefore, he (peace be upon him) made them the owner during his lifetime.