Why Was Lady Maria Lawfully Kept by the Prophet as a Concubine?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
How was the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) permitted to keep Lady Maria al-Qibtiyya when she was gifted to him and not a prisoner of war, as mentioned in Surat al-Ahzab?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
“And whatever the Messenger gives you—take it; and whatever he forbids you—refrain from it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” [Quran, 59:7]
Lady Maria al-Qibtiyya (Allah be pleased with her) was sent to the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) as a diplomatic gift by the ruler of Egypt, Muqawqis. Though not a prisoner of war, she lawfully entered his household under the norms of the time and became his concubine (ma malakat aymanukum), a category addressed explicitly in the Quran. [Mawardi, al-Hawi al-Kabir]
Allah (Most High) says:
“O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you… those your right hand possesses from what Allah has given you.” [Quran, 33:50]
This verse refers to lawful concubinage, which included those acquired through war or accepted as gifts, as was customary between rulers. Islam did not invent slavery but regulated and gradually discouraged it, encouraging emancipation and humane treatment.
Lady Maria was treated with honour, later bore the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) a son (Ibrahim), and according to many scholars, was eventually freed.
The Prophet’s (Allah bless him and give him peace) actions were divinely guided and consistent with justice, compassion, and the legal norms of his time.
Please consult this related answer.
Please consult this related answer as well.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
