Question
Did Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) marry the sister of Sayyiduna Dihyah Kalbi (radiyallahu ‘anhu); Sayyidatuna Sharaf bintu Khalifah (radiyallahu ‘anha)?
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded a narration which states Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) proposed to a woman from the Kalb tribe and sent Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) to inquire. (This woman was Sayyidah Sharaf bintu Khalifah Al Kalbiyyah radiyallahu ‘anha)
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 803, vol. 24, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 9 pg. 254)
The biographers of Sahabah have mentioned that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) married her, but did not consummate the marriage. Imam Ibn ‘Abdil Barr (rahimahullah) states that she passed away before the marriage could be consummated.
(Refer: Ma’rifatus Sahabah of Imam Abu Nu’aym, vol. 3 pg. 3375, biography number: 3930, Al Isti’ab, vol. 4 pg. 423, Usdul Ghabah, vol. 7 pg. 161, Al Isabah, vol. 13 pg. 515. Also see: Imam Tabarani’s sub heading and Subulul Huda War Rashad, vol. 12 pg. 147 طبعة وزارة الأوقاف المصرية)
Imam Tabari has cited Sayyidah Sharaf/Sharafah (radiyallahu ‘anha) among those women whom Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) married but did not consummate the marriage with.
(As Simtus Thamin, pg. 226, Al Maktabatul Qayyimah edition)
Also see here
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar