Hadrat Sayyida Maimoona was the last wife of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). She belonged to the tribe of Banu-Hilala. The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) had another wife from the same tribe. The other wife’s name was Zainab, commonly known as Ummul-Masakeen (Mother of the needy and poor). Maimoona was her second adopted name. Her first name Barra was changed by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) and the new name Maimoona was given. Her father Harith bin Hazam was one of the respected chiefs of the tribe Banu-Hilala and he had sixteen daughters. One of his daughters namely Umm-ul-Fazal was the wife of Hadrat Abbas, who was the Holy Prophet’s uncle. His other daughter namely Umm-e-Salma was married to Hadrat Hamza, another uncle of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). Another daughter Lubaba was the mother of Hadrat Khalid bin Walid (A renowned General of Muslims who fought against Iranians and was given the title of “Sword of Allah” by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). Harith’s some other daughters were later married to Hadrat Umar, the second Caliph, and Hadrat Ali, the fourth Caliph. Another daughter Asma was married to Hadrat Jafar. Thus most of Hadrat Maimoona’s sisters were married to the pioneering revolutionary leaders of Islam.

Hadrat Maimoona was the last wife of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) and he did not marry afterward. The Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was about sixty years old at the time of his marriage with Hadrat Maimoona. She lived three years married life with the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). Prior to her marriage twice. Her first marriage took place with Masood bin Amr. Masood divorced her and then she was married to Abu Rahim bin Abdul Aza. Abu Rahim died in the seventh year of Hijra. After Abu Rahim’s death the Holy Prophet’s Uncle Hadrat Abbas persuaded the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) to marry Maimoona.

Hadrat Maymuna or Hadrat Barra as she was then called, yearned to marry the Prophet. She went to her sister, Umm al Fadl to talk to her about that and she, in turn, spoke to her husband, al-Abbas. Al-Abbas immediately went to the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with Maymuna’s offer of marriage to him and her proposal was accepted. When the good news reached her, she was on a camel, and she immediately got off the camel and said, “The camel and what is on it is for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).” They were married in the month of Shawwal in 7 AH just after the Muslims of Medina were permitted to visit Mecca under the terms of the treaty of Hudaybiyya to perform Umra.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was wearing an Ihram (Ihram is the dress for performing Hajj or Umrah comprised of two sheets of cloth, one wrapped around the waist and the other around the shoulder. After putting on Ihram, one can not trim his hair, cut his nails, abuse or have sex, etc.). In the same condition, he sent five hundred Dirhams as Mehr to Hadrat Maimoona and the Nikah ceremony was Performed While on return after Umra from Makkah to Madina, he stayed at a place called Saraf. This place is ten miles away from Makkah on way to Madina. At Saraf, the feast of Walima ( The feast, i.e. lunch, or dinner offered to friends and guests on the next day of the marriage) was held.