“Mothers of the Believers” and “Mother of Her Father”: Islamic Parables of Non-Normative Mothering

This paper examines alternative constructions of motherhood in Islamic traditions, focusing on the Prophet’s wives as “Mothers of the Believers” (ummahat al-mu’minin) and his daughter, Fatima, as “Mother of Her Father” (Umm Abiha). The Qur’an (33:6) grants the Prophet’s wives the title ummahat al-mu’minin, traditionally viewed as a juridical category restricting their remarriage. Though only Khadija was a biological mother of his children, their symbolic maternal status positioned them as key figures in shaping Islamic discourses on social reform and activism. Figures like Zainab bint Jahsh and Umm Salama played active roles in the prophetic mission, demonstrating maternal leadership in transforming social and communal norms. Fatima’s title Umm Abiha, often seen as an endearment, marks a radical redefinition of the prevalent paradigms of lineage and legacy. This paper argues that these women embody motherhood as resilience, reform, and activism, offering alternative maternal paradigms that extend beyond the normative.