The reason Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had multiple wives is complex and related to religious and social contexts. According to one reference, a key aspect is related to the unique status of his wives.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was given an exception regarding the number of wives he could have. The wives of the Prophet hold a very high status in Islam:
- Mothers of the Believers: They are considered "mothers of the believers." This is a title of respect and signifies their elevated position.
- Marital Restrictions: If the Prophet divorced any of his wives, Islamic law stipulated that they could not marry any other man afterward.
Therefore, according to the reference, "The Prophet was given the exception since his wives' status is that of a mother to the Muslims, so if he divorced them then they could not marry any other man. So, Allah gave the Prophet an exception." This exception accommodated the unique circumstances and protected the honor and status of the Prophet's wives within the Muslim community. Other sources also state reasons behind these marriages as political alliances, taking care of widows, and setting social reforms. However, according to the reference, this protection after a hypothetical divorce was a reason for the exception.
