KHADIJAH BINT KHUWAYLID
Narrated
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): Jibril (Gabriel) came to
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Allah's
Messenger! This is Khadijah, coming to you with a dish having meat soup
(or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of
her Lord (Allah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of
having a palace made of Qasab in Paradise, wherein there will be neither
any noise nor any toil, (fatigue, trouble, etc.)." [Al-Bukhari]
'Abdullah
bin 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that one day the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) drew four lines on the earth
and asked his Companions if they understood what these lines stood for.
They respectfully replied that he knew better. He then told them that
these lines stood for the four foremost ladies of the universe. They
were Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint Imran,
the mother of the Prophet Issa and 'Asia bint Muzahim (the wife of the
Pharaoh).
She
was the first person to have an abiding faith in the utterances of the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and to accept Islam as her
religion and her way of life. She was blessed with the distinction of
having been greeted with Salam (greetings) by Allah and the Angel
Jibril.
Khadijah
(may Allah be pleased with her) was born in Makkah in the year 556 CE.
Her mother's name was Fatimah bint Zayd, and her father's name was
Khuwaylid bin Asad. He was a very popular leader among the tribe of
Quraysh, and a very prosperous businessman who died while fighting in
the famous battle of Fujjar. Khadijah thus grew up in the lap of luxury.
She married Abu Halah Malak bin Nabash bin Zarrarah bin At-Tamimi and
bore him two children, Halah and Hind. She wanted to see her husband
prosper and financed him in setting up a big business. But unfortunately
he passed away. Some time later the young widow married 'Atique bin
'Aith bin 'Abdullah Al-Makhzumi, and she had a daughter by him as well
named Hindah, but the marriage soon broke up on grounds of
incompatibility. After this all her attention was devoted to the
upbringing of her children, and building up the business she inherited
from her father. Her astuteness and business ability made her business
one of the most widespread businesses among the Quraysh.
Her
policy was to employ hard working, honest and distinguished managers to
deal on her behalf as a lot depended on the integrity of the employees
who traveled far and wide on her behalf. She exported her goods to far
away markets like Syria, and her managers bought goods from those
markets to be sold at home.
Khadijah
(may Allah be pleased with her) had heard of the integrity, honesty and
principled behavior of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
and sent a job offer to him to head her trading caravans. He gladly
accepted the offer and started working for her. Khadijah (may Allah be
pleased with him) sent him on a business trip; her old and trusted slave
Maysarah being delegated to accompany and serve him.
Maysarah
was impressed by the Prophet's integrity, strength of character,
adherence to principles, his amicable dealings and his business
abilities. On the way back from Syria, the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) lay down under a tree to rest for a while. Nestora, a
Jewish monk, noted for his knowledge of religion and for his insight saw
him and asked Maysarah who he was. Maysarah told him all about Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him) and his reputation for honesty and
intelligence. Nestora then told him that this man would be elevated to
Prophet hood in the future, as no man had ever rested under that
particular tree but Prophets.
Tradition
has it that Maysarah also saw two angels bearing a cloud over Prophet's
head to protect him from the glare and heat of the sun.
When
he returned home Maysarah reported to Khadijah (may Allah be pleased
with her) all that had taken place on the trip to Syria. She was deeply
moved and impressed, and started thinking of proposing marriage to
Muhammad. But how could she express her thoughts to him? She already
rejected several proposals of marriage from men belonging to some of the
noblest families of the Quraysh. How would her tribe react? What would
her family say? And what was more, would her proposal be acceptable to
this young, yet unmarried man of the tribe of Quraysh?
As
she pondered over these questions and debated within herself, one night
she dreamt that the shining sun had descended from the heavens into her
courtyard, radiating her home. When she woke up she went for the
interpretation of this wonderful dream to her cousin, Waraqah bin
Nawfal, a blind man noted for his skill in interpreting dreams, and for
his depth of knowledge, particularly of the Torah and the Injil. When he
heard her dream, he gave a serene smile, and told her not to worry, as
this was a very promising dream. The glorious sun she saw descending
into her courtyard indicated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) whose advent had been predicted in the Torah and the Injil was
to grace her home and she would gain from his presence in her life.
After
this meeting with Waraqah she became stronger in her desire to marry
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). One of her very close
friends, Nafisah bint Manbah knew of her inclination and she went to
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and requested his permission
to ask him a very personal question. When he said he had no objection,
she asked why he had not yet got married. He said he did not have the
financial resources. Then she asked him if he would be willing to marry a
beautiful lady from a noble and wealthy family, who was inclined
towards marriage with him. He asked whom she was referring to; when he
learnt her identity he said that he was willing, provided she was
willing to marry him. Khadijah' was overjoyed.
The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was then twenty-five years of
age and Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) was forty years old.
(According to one tradition, she was twenty-eight). The two uncles of
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Hamzah and Abu Talib
approached her uncle, 'Umar bin Asad, with the formal proposal. It was
accepted and the two families began preparing for the wedding. Halimah
As-Sa'diyyah who nursed the Prophet in his infancy was specially invited
for the wedding and traveled to Makkah from her village. When she left
after the festivities, Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her)
presented her with household goods, a camel and forty goats as an
expression of gratitude to the lady who had taken such good care of
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in his infancy.
Khadijah
(may Allah be pleased with her) was very blessed in the marriage, and
had six children. First two sons, Qasim and 'Abdullah; then followed the
daughters, Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah. It was a very
happy, peaceful and content household, but Muhammad (peace and blessings
be upon him) felt something was missing, and he was extremely restless.
He would retire for a month once a year to the cave of Hira to dedicate
himself entirely to prayer and meditation. One day he felt the presence
of another being who held him in his arms in a tight embrace. Then he
loosened his hold and asked him to read; Muhammad (peace and blessings
be upon him) answered that he was illiterate. But the person repeated
the same act and the phrase again and again. Then finally he read these
Ayat which are the first revelation of the Quran. They are from Surah
Iqra or Al-'Alaq.
"Read!
In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has
created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who
has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he
knew not."[Noble Quran 96:1-5]
Then
the being disappeared. This was such an awesome experience that the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returned home sweating and
shaking. He called out to Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her)
asking her to cover him with a sheet or a blanket. When he had calmed
down to some extent, he told his wife that he feared for his life, and
narrated the whole incident to her. Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with
her), a picture of loyalty and serenity consoled him saying that Allah
would surely protect him from any danger, and would never allow anyone
to revile him as he was a of man of peace and reconciliation and always
extended the hand of friendship to all.
He
never lied, always hospitable, carried the burdens of others and helped
those who were in trouble. These soothing and encouraging words of
sympathy and understanding from Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her)
gave him immeasurable strength and confidence. She then took him to
meet her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal, who immediately guessed the
identity of the being in the Cave of Hira as the Angel Jibril the
Messenger of Allah who had visited Moses as well. Waraqah who was very
old wished that he could live to see the time when the Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him) would be forced into exile by his
people.
The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was very surprised and asked
if his people would really do this to him. Waraqah assured him that it
was typical of human beings that they would never appreciate or follow a
Prophet who rose among them. Waraqah added that he wished he were alive
at that time and be able to help him. He added that if what he had been
told were true then surely it meant that her husband was the Prophet of
Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) whose advent had been mentioned
in the scriptures.
The
four daughters grew up to be faithful and courageous daughters of
Islam. They all migrated to Al-Madinah, with the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him).
Zaynab
was married to Abu 'Aas bin Rabi'ah, Ruqayyah was married to 'Uthman.
When she passed away he married her sister Umm Kulthum; Fatimah was
married to 'Ali bin Abi Talib. The first three daughters died during the
lifetime of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his beloved
daughter Fatimah lived just six months after he passed away.
When
the disbelievers saw that Islam was attracting more and more followers
in spite of all their tactics, they decided to declare an open and total
political and economic boycott of the tribe of Banu Hashim. This took
place in the seventh year after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) declared himself the Messenger of Allah. This is also known in
Islamic history as the Shi'ab Abi Talib.
It
was so severe that innocent children faced starvation and hunger, and
adults survived eating the leaves of trees. Yet the firm followers of
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not turn away from their
true religion and they came out of the ordeal stronger and purer than
before.
Khadijah
(may Allah be pleased with her) who had been brought up in luxury in
her wealthy father's home now faced the economic hardships with patience
and courage, which are a necessary part of any siege. Khadijah's (may
Allah be pleased with him) nobility of character and conduct pleased
Allah, so much that He sent special greetings for her.
Khadijah
(may Allah be pleased with her) was the ideal wife and mother. The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) lived in her house which
became a blessed place due to his presence and the fact that Jibril
(peace and blessings be upon him) came often to visit him there with
Quranic revelations. It became the centre of Islam, where all the
Companions male and female visited often to partake of the hospitality
of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his wife.
After
the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
to Al-Madinah, the house was occupied by the brother of 'Ali. Later
Mu'awiyah bin Abu Sufyan who transcribed some of the Divine Revelations
purchased this house and built a mosque. Thus the site of the house of
Khadijah became a place of prayer and worship for all time. She had been
used to praying two Rak'as of Salat (prayer), mornings and evenings
with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), even before prayers
were made compulsory by Allah. After accepting Islam she became more
contemplative and inclined towards worship; she found a blessed feeling
of peace in prayer.
Afif
Kindi relates that 'Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib was a great friend of his
and he used to visit him often in Yemen in connection with his business
in perfumes. On one occasion when they were standing and chatting in
Mina, they saw a handsome young man approach. He carefully washed his
hands and feet and then stood respectfully with his arms crossed on his
breast. Soon a dignified lady of noble bearing and a young handsome
young lad joined him. 'Afif asked 'Abbas what they were doing and
whether this was a new form of exercise. 'Abbas replied that the youth
was his brother 'Abdullah's son, and the lady was his wife.
She
was a woman of great wealth and virtue, and an ideal wife and mother.
The lad was his brother Abu Talib's son. Muhammad (peace and blessings
be upon him) had announced that he was a Messenger of Allah and had
started preaching a new religion called Islam. In due course 'Afif
accepted Islam, but he always regretted the fact that he had not joined
the Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions in
their prayers and supplication on that memorable day in Mina, when he
had first heard of Islam.
Khadijah
(may Allah be pleased with her) passed away just three years before the
Hijrah, or the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) migration to
Al-Madinah. She died at the age of sixty-five, having given almost
twenty-five years to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
and the cause of Islam. When Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
saw her in the throes of death he consoled her saying Allah had so
ordained it, and that the thing she was dreading, would prove favorable
for her. Her eyes lit up and as she gazed at her beloved husband, her
soul left its earthly body.
Her
grave was prepared at a place called Hujjun, near Makkah. Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him) stepped into it to see that everything
was as it should be, and with his own hands lowered her gently into it.
Thus passed away the 'Mother' of all Muslims, the one who had
sacrificed her all for Islam, the lady who was the greatest supporter of
Islam in its earliest days. She who was the mother of Fatimah, the
First Lady of Paradise, the grandmother of the beloved grandchildren of
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Hasan and Hussein (may
Allah be pleased with them) who are to be the foremost of the youths in
Paradise.
When
she passed away, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was
heartbroken at the loss of a dedicated companion who stood by him during
the most difficult period of his life.
One
of the ladies of the Quraysh, Khawlah bint Hakim, visited the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) to console him, and saw his state of
depression and grief and remarked on it. He replied it was only natural
that he should be touched by her absence, as she had been a loving
mother to his now neglected children; she had been a loyal and
sympathetic wife who shared his secrets. It was only human and natural
that he should feel her loss as she was there for him during his most
difficult times. Whenever he was abused by the disbelievers she had
provided moral support and unflagging faith.
A
Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) narrates
that whenever any gift was brought to him he would immediately send it
to some lady who had been a friend of Khadijah(peace and blessings be
upon him). Ayshah, a favorite wife of Muhammad (peace and blessings be
upon him) says that whenever a goat was slaughtered the Prophet it would
send some meat to Khadijah's friends; when she remarked about this on
one occasion he told her, 'I have great regard for her friends, as she
has a special place in my heart.' Ayshah said she never experienced such
a feeling of natural feminine jealousy for any other wife of the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as she did for Khadijah. She
also narrates that whenever Muhammad spoke of her he would talk at great
length and praise her qualities, and pray for her forgiveness.
Ayshah
(may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that whenever the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) talked about Khadijah (may Allah be
pleased with her), it was in terms of the highest praise. One day her
innate feminine envy overtook her sense of decorum and she spoke in
disparaging terms of her, wondering why the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) missed her when he was blessed with a better, younger wife
by Allah. This displeased him, but forbearing as he was, he just sighed
and answered,
"I
have not yet found a better wife than her. She had faith in me when
everyone, even members of my own family and tribe did not believe me,
and accepted that I was truly a Prophet and a Messenger of Allah. She
converted to Islam, spent all her wealth and worldly goods to help me
spread this faith, and this too at a time when the entire world seemed
to have turned against me and persecuted me. And it is through her that
Allah blessed me with children."
As Allah says in Surah Al-Fajr in the Noble Quran that it will be said to the pious believers:
"O
the one in complete rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord —
well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing (unto Him)! Enter you then
among My (honored) servants, and enter you My Paradise."[Noble Quran 89:27-30]
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