The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was the most just of people, particularly with his relatives and household, in adherence to Allah’s command to him and to his Ummah: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.” (An-Nisa: 135) He held to the truth and judged with fairness throughout his whole life.
He taught his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) this principle, emphasizing that the value of justice extends indiscriminately even to non-Muslims, as Allah commands: “Indeed, Allah orders justice.” (An-Nahl: 90) Justice is a noble character trait that fosters hope in the Ummah for the elimination of oppression and the triumph of truth. No one in the world was more compassionate to his family, more faithful to his promises, or quicker to respond to his household’s needs than the Prophet (ﷺ). Yet, this did not deter him from speaking and acting justly in his dealings with them, serving as lessons for the Ummah to follow his example.
The Most Just of People
Among the evidence of his complete justice is that Allah appointed him as a judge among the believers: “But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.” (An-Nisa: 65) He was the just judge, and believers were obliged to comply with his judgments during his lifetime and adhere to his prescribed laws after his death, with full assurance that his rulings were the truth. Among his teachings to his Ummah: “Verily, the just ones in this world will be on pulpits of pearls on the Day of Judgment, in front of the Most Merciful, based on their justice in this world.” (Narrated by Muslim and An-Nasa'i)
There are numerous examples of his justice towards himself, his relatives, his companions, his wives, his children, his servants, and even towards the disbelievers and people of the Book, recognizing their rights even if they were his opponents, in obedience to Allah’s command: “And and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Ma'idah: 8) Examples include his judgment regarding the noble woman of the Makhzum tribe, his ruling in the dispute between Al-Zubayr and the Ansari, his judgment in favor of Ja'far in the dispute over Hamza’s daughter with 'Ali and Zayd, and his judgment for the Jew in a debt dispute with Jabir ibn Abdullah, among many other significant cases.
The Prophet’s Households
The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) were the happiest of wives because they were married to the one described by Allah: “And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Al-Qalam: 4) He expressed his noble feelings of love and appreciation for them, sought to please them, and avoided making them angry. He was an exemplar of affection, kindness, mercy, good companionship, and exceptional generosity toward them.
He would care for their health, race with them, play and have fun with them, show gentleness, and humble himself for them. Even the families of the Prophet’s wives were happy with his beautiful attributes and complete character, such as his act of freeing one hundred of the people of Juwayriya and his advice to treat the people of Egypt kindly, among other examples.
His Justice with His Wives
The Prophet (ﷺ) was fair in dividing his time and marital rights among his wives indiscriminately. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) would not prefer some of us over others regarding the division of the time he would spend with us.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood) He used to say: “O Allah, this is my division concerning what I possess, so do not blame me concerning what You possess and I do not.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood)
Although the Prophet (ﷺ) was granted the option to divide his time among his wives as he wished, as Allah said, “You [O Muhammad], may put aside whom you will of them or take to yourself whom you will. And any that you desire of those [wives] from whom you had [temporarily] separated - there is no blame upon you [in returning her].” (Al-Ahzab: 51), he chose to be equitable among them, demonstrating his noble character and excellent companionship, as scholars said.
When planning a journey, he would draw lots among them, as Aisha narrated: “When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) intended to go on a journey, he cast lots among his wives. Then, he would take with him the one who was chosen by the lot.” (Agreed upon)
When something was given to him as a gift, he would distribute it equally among them. As came by Ahmad that Umm Sulaym sent him a dish with dates, and he took a handful and sent some to each of his wives, then sat down and ate the remaining.
He judged fairly between them, as Anas narrated: “One of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) gave the Prophet (ﷺ) some food in a bowl. Then 'Aishah broke the bowl with her hand, and discarded what was in it. So the Prophet (ﷺ) said 'Food for food, and vessel for vessel.'” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi)
Even during his final illness, he maintained this justice by visiting each of his wives in their homes until he sought permission to be nursed in Aisha's house. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “When the ailment of the Prophet (ﷺ) became aggravated and his disease became severe, he asked his wives to permit him to be nursed (treated) in my house. So they gave him the permission.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (ﷺ) continued to caution his companions and Ummah against injustice towards their wives until he passed away, saying: “Anyone who has two wives and inclines to one of them will come on the Day of Resurrection with a side (of his body) inclining.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi)
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