In the year 7 of
Proclamation of Prophet Hood, the Quraysh, particularly the Umayyad clan,
decided to clamp a social and economic boycott of the supporters of the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), and Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) advised them to move to a ravine at the outskirts of Makkah
for safety and security. For three years, they had a difficult life. Ummul
Momineen Lady Khadija (s.a.), who had a comfortable life in the past, suffered
along with her husband and his family. She
spent all her wealth for Islam. She used to give one gold coin to Imam Ali
(a.s.) who was about sixteen years old, to buy water and secretly bring in the
ravine. This siege of Shub-e-Abi Talib remained for about three years. Her
fortune ran out for buying water for the inmates of the ravine. She was happy that her wealth was the means
through which Allah had saved the lives of the most precious lives in all
creation-the lives of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Ahlul Bayt
(s.a.). She was grateful to Allah for this great honor. She was always in touch
with Allah by her prayers. Her prayer was also the secret of her quiet courage.
Her tranquil manners and her serene presence kept the morale of inmates of the
ravine high. She was the “anchor” of the whole tribe during those three years
of turbulence.
Lady Khadija
(s.a.)’s age: It is generally reported that she was 40 years old when
married to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). No one knows the exact age but it
was an estimate but over-estimated! Arabia is a very hot country and the girls
attain puberty at much earlier than the rest of the world. Moreover, the child-bearing
age is long before 40 years. The fact is that she was older than the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) but not 15 years!
Mother of Muslims:
According to the Glorious Qur’an,
Surah al-Ahz’ab Ayah 6: “The Prophet has more authority over the believers than themselves. His wives
are their mothers.” The Muslims in Makkah were poor. They have no source of
income. The Quraish had ordered not to pay any wages to the Muslims. Hazrat
Khadija (s.a. ) fed them day after day so that no Muslim slept hungry. As a
mother wants to see her children are well-fed likewise Hazrat Khadija (s.a.)
took care of the Ummah. As the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had said Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) and her daughter, Lady of
Paradise Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) were
two of the four Perfect Women of the world. They brought glory and honor to
the motherhood. As the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had said: “Paradise is under
the feet of one’s mother.” Hence, no one who has displeased one’s mother may
ever think of entering Paradise.
She had only three children; Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.),
Qasim, and Abdullah. The two boys died in infancy. Her sister had three
daughters; Zaynab, Ruqiyya, and Umm Kulsoom. After her sister’s death, her nieces
moved to her house, and they were under her guardianship.
Generosity: At
the dawn of Islam, “The Princess of
Arabia” handed over all her wealth to her husband, the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.), who invested her wealth in Islam. This investment was a guarantee
that the advancement of Islam will not be hindered. That investment has been
paying rich dividend to date and will continue to do so till the end of time.
She also invested her time, talent, energy, spirit and heart in Islam. Her sincere intention to support Islam
was responded by Allah, when He calls her wealth as His Own as depicted in
Surah az-Zuha Ayah 8: “And He found you in need, and made you independent” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) did
not inherit any wealth and was poor. The true, pure, and sincere love of Hazrat
Khadija (s.a.) not only raised him above wants, but made him independent of worldly
needs in future.
Demise: The
three years of tough life in “Shub-e-AbiTalib” had disastrous effects on her,
and the richest woman of Arabia, the Princess of Arabia, died on 10th
Ramazan of 10th year of Proclamation of Prophet Hood. At the time of
her death, there was not sufficient money left to give her a proper shroud,
hence her husband’s cloak was used as shroud and she was buried Hujun above
Makkah.
Those who have faith and do righteous deeds – they are
the best of creatures.
Surah al-Baiyyanah
Ayah 7-8: “The righteously striving believers are the best of creatures. Their
reward from their Lord will be the gardens of Eden wherein streams flow and
wherein they will live forever. Allah will be pleased with them and they will be
pleased with Him. This (reward) is for
those who fear their Lord.”
Source used:
Khadijatul Kubra by Sayyid Ali
Asghar Razwy
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