There is a famous saying: “Islam did not rise except through Ali (a.s.) sword and Khadija (s.a.)’
wealth.”
Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) was the daughter of Hazrat Khuwaylid
and belonged to the clan of Bani Hashim of the tribe of Banu Asad. She was born
in 565 AD. She was the richest woman in the Arabian Peninsula. It is said
that when Quraysh’s trade caravans gathered to embark upon journey, Hazrat
Khadija’s caravan equaled the caravans of all other traders combined together.
Although, Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) was born in a male dominated
society, yet she earned two distinguish titles; Ameerat ul Quraish – Princess of Quraysh, and al-Tahira – the Pure One, due to her impeccable personality
and virtuous character, not to mention her honorable descent. She used to feed
and clothe the poor, assist her relatives financially and even provide for the
marriage of those of her kin who could not otherwise have had means to marry.
She never believed or worshiped idols.
She did not travel herself in connection with the trading
business, but appointed agents.
In the year 595 AD, she needed an agent to travel to Syria .
Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) suggested the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) for the job.
Although, he did not have any experience, yet Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) took a chance and
appointed him for the assignment.
Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) sent her slave, Maysarah, with him and
instructed him to be very polite and respectful to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).
During this journey, Maysarah witnessed many miracles from him. Once he saw
that two small clouds were protecting the Prophet from the scorching sun of the
desert.
The journey brought heaps of profits to Hazrat Khadija. Maysarah
shared his experiences with her and she was very impressed by young Muhammad
(s.a.w.s). He was already known for his truthfulness and trustworthiness in the
Arabian lands.
The trip’s measure of success encouraged Hazrat Khadija
(s.a.) to employ Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) for the winter trip to southern Arabia
– Yemen . This
time she offered three times the usual commission.
Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) was by then convinced that she had
finally found a man worthy of her, so much so that she herself initiated the
marriage proposal. Muhammad sat to detail all the business transactions in
which he became involved on her behalf, but the wealthy and beautiful lady of
Quraysh was thinking more about her distant cousin than about those business
transactions. She simply fell in love with him.
By the time he was gone, she sought the advice of her friend
Nufaysa. She offered to approach him on her behalf. She came to Muhammad
(s.a.w.s.) and asked him why he did not married yet. “I have no means to marry”
he answered. “But if you were given the means,” she said, “and if were bidden
to an alliance where there is beauty and wealth and nobility and abundance
would you not then consent?” “Who is she?!” he excitedly inquired. “Khadija”
said Nufaysa. “And how could such a marriage be mine?” he asked
“Leave it to me” was her answer. “For my part,” he said “I
am willing”. Nufaysa returned with these glad tidings to Hazrat Khadija (s.a.)
who then sent word to Muhammad asking him to come to her. When he came she said
to him:
O’ Son of
my uncle! I love you for your kinship with me, and for
that you are in the center, not being a
partisan among the people
for this or that. And I love you
for your trustworthiness, and for
the beauty of your character and the truth of
your speech.
Then she offered herself in marriage to him. Hazrat Abu
Talib recited the Nikah saying:
All praise is due to Allah, Who has
made us the Progeny of Ibrahim,
the seed of Isma’il, and Who has made us
custodian of His House,
and the servants of His sacred
precincts making for us a house sought
for pilgrimage and a shrine of security and
also He gave us authority
over people. This nephew of mine Muhammad
(s.a.w.s.) who cannot
be compared with any other man: if
you compare his wealth with that
of others, you will not find him a
man of wealth, for wealth is a
vanishing shadow and a fickle
thing. Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) is a man
whose lineage you all know, and he
has sought Khadija, daughter of
Khuwaylid for marriage.
After marriage, Muhammad (s.a.w.s) moved from his uncle’s
house to his wife’s house.
Lady of the Universe, Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was born in
this house. Revelations from Allah were descended on the Holy Prophet
(s.a.w.s.) many times in this house.
By the time Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) got married, she was quite
wealthy lady. She decided to retire and enjoy a comfortable life with her
husband, who on his part preferred an ascetic life to that of money making.
Hazrat Khadija’s period of happiness lasted no more than 15
years after which her husband, now the Messenger of Allah, started his mission
to invite people to the Oneness of God.
Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was forty years old when the first
verses of Holy Qur’an were revealed to him. They were the first verses of Surah
al-Alaq. He returned home and asked Hazrat Khadija to wrap him up as he felt
feverish. After a while he narrated what he has seen and heard to his faithful
and supportive wife. “By Allah” she said, “Allah shall never subject you to any
indignity, for you always maintain your ties with those of your kin, and you
are always generous in giving; you are diligent; you cool the eyes of your
guests, and you lend your support to those who seek justice and redress. I
testify that you are the awaited Prophet in this nation.
She accompanied her husband to Waraqa ibne Nawfil and
narrated the whole incident.
He said, “By Allah, this is the prediction which had been
conveyed to Musa who wished that he (Musa) could be present when Muhammad is
delegated with Prophet hood to support his mission and assist him.”
It was natural that Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) to receive her
share of harassment meted out to him. She was the first woman to embrace Islam
and used to pray with her husband and Imam Ali (a.s.).
Among the merits of
Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) was that she was one of the Most Perfect Women of all
mankind, the other three being: Bibi Fatima (s.a.), Maryam, mother of Prophet
Isa’a, A’siya, the wife of Pharoah.
She died in the year 619AD, 24 years after her marriage with
the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s).
She was buried at Hajun in the outskirts of Maccah. It is
reported that by the time she died, her entire wealth was already been spent
for the promotion of Islam.
Reference:
Khadija, daughter of Khuwaylid By: Yasin T. al-Jibouri
No comments:
Post a Comment