Umm-ul-Masakeen was the title given to one of the wives of the Prophet (SAW) ?

The correct answer is Hazrat Zainab bint Khuzaymah (RA).

Hazrat Zainab bint Khuzaymah (RA) holds a unique and distinguished position among the Mothers of the Believers (Umm-ul-Mu'minin). She was the fifth wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Long before she entered the household of the Prophet (SAW), she was widely known throughout the Arabian Peninsula by the title Umm-ul-Masakeen, which translates from Arabic as "The Mother of the Poor" or "The Mother of the Destitute."

Lineage and Early Life

Hazrat Zainab (RA) belonged to the powerful tribe of Banu Amir bin Sa’sa’ah. Her lineage was highly respected, and she was known for her refined character even during the Jahiliyyah (the period of ignorance before Islam). Unlike many of her contemporaries, her primary focus was always the welfare of the marginalized. She was famous for her immense compassion and spent a significant portion of her wealth and resources on feeding those who had nothing. This consistent dedication to the needy earned her the title Umm-ul-Masakeen early in her life, a name that eventually superseded her actual name in many historical accounts.

Marriage to the Prophet (SAW)

Hazrat Zainab bint Khuzaymah (RA) had been widowed twice before her marriage to the Prophet (SAW). Her first husband was Tufail bin Harith, and after his death, she married his brother, Ubaidah bin al-Harith. Ubaidah was a brave companion who attained martyrdom during the Battle of Badr. Following her period of mourning, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) sent a proposal to marry her in the year 3 A.H. (After Hijrah).

This marriage was a significant social and political gesture. By marrying her, the Prophet (SAW) not only provided protection and honor to a widow of a fallen martyr but also strengthened the ties with the Banu Amir tribe. The marriage took place in the month of Ramadan, approximately thirty months after the Hijrah to Madinah.

A Life of Devotion and Charity

During her time in the Prophet's (SAW) household, her lifestyle remained unchanged regarding her charity. She lived a very simple life, often giving away her own share of food to any beggar who knocked at her door. Historians note that she was so deeply moved by the suffering of others that she would go to great lengths to ensure no one in her vicinity went hungry. Her presence in Madinah served as a sanctuary for the homeless and the orphans.

Despite her high status as a wife of the Prophet (SAW), she never sought worldly comforts. Her house was a hub for the distribution of alms. The title Umm-ul-Masakeen was not just a nickname; it was a reflection of her core identity and her lifelong mission of social service.

Passing and Legacy

Hazrat Zainab bint Khuzaymah (RA) passed away just a few months after her marriage to the Prophet (SAW). Most historical records suggest she lived with him for only eight months, or in some accounts, as little as three months. She died in the month of Rabi’ al-Thani at the young age of 30. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself led her funeral prayers, and she was buried in Jannat al-Baqi, the sacred cemetery in Madinah. She was the only wife of the Prophet (SAW), other than Hazrat Khadija (RA), to pass away during his lifetime. Though her time in the household of the Prophet (SAW) was brief, her legacy as the Mother of the Poor remains an eternal example of Islamic philanthropy.