The Patience of the Prophet (PBUH) with his Wives

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the ultimate human example on being patient with one's wife(s). In spite of his highness at Allah's sight and at people's, it has never been heard of a man who had more patience with his wife(s). Researching Prophet Muhammad's patience, you will come across enough evidence.

It was reported that Umar Bin Al Khattab may Allah be pleased with him said: "we-the tribe of Quraish- used to overpower our wives. When we were encountered by al Ansar we found out that the women overpowered the men. So our wives started to learn from al ansars' women their ethics. So, once i vociferated to my wife and she disagreed with me, but i disapproved her disagreement. She said: “why do you disapprove? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) sometimes disagree with him and abandoned him for a whole day.” Umar was dismayed and told her that whoever did this did it to her loss. Then he went to lady Hafsah and told her: o Hafsah, do any of you stay angry with the Prophet (pbuh) a whole day? She said: "yes.” He said: "you are in loss, don’t you fear Allah’s anger because of the Prophet’s, so that you will be doomed?”. This saying 'hadith’ is taken from al Bukhary. 

Note how Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was angry because of a simple disagreement from his wife, while the Prophet (pbuh) accepts the same from his wives with great patience being the generous Prophet and great 'imam'. 

Moreover, in such situations he used to treat them kindly. Lady ‘a’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told me: "i can tell when you are pleased with me and when you are not.” I said: "how can you tell?" he said: "if you are pleased with me you swear saying: "no, by Muhammad's lord" and if you are not, you swear saying: "no, by Abraham's lord."" she said: "yes by Allah, Prophet of Allah. I can only abandon your name."

This saying 'hadith' is from al Bukhari.

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: "the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) was with one of his wives then another wife sent him a plate of food. The one that the Prophet was at her home hit the hand of the servant who was carrying the plate. It fell down and broke into two pieces. The Prophet collected the broken pieces and the food and said: "your mother [his wife] is jealous." he then kept the servant until he brought a new plate from the wife who broke the plate to give it to the other wife and kept the broken one at the home of the one who broke it." -  Narrated by al Bukhari

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) overlooked all the doings of his wives, forgave them and was ever patient, even though he was capable of leaving them. Allah would have compensated him with better worshipping, muslim believing women, virgins and non virgins as promised in case he divorced them.

“…and (remember) when the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his wives (Hafsah), so when she told it (to another i.e. 'A’isha), and Allah made it known to him, he informed part thereof and left a part. Then when he told her (Hafsah) thereof, she said: "who told you this?" he said: "the all-Knower, the all-Aware (Allah) has told me (3) 

if you two (wives of the Prophet , namely 'A’isha and Hafsah) turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet likes), but if you help one another against him (Muhammad ), then verily, Allah is his Mawla (Lord, or Master, or Protector, etc.), and Jibrael (Gabriel), and the righteous among the believers, and furthermore, the angels are his helpers.(4) 

it may be if he divorced you (all) that his lord will give him instead of you, wives better than you, muslims (who submit to Allah), believers, obedient to Allah, turning to Allah in repentance, worshipping Allah sincerely, fasting or emigrants (for Allah's sake), previously married and virgins.(5) “

(Quran- Surah - At-Tahrim: 3-4-5)

 But the Prophet (pbuh) was merciful and the more he was mistreated the more he was patient.