Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) was the first wife of the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.). He did not marry anyone while she was alive. There is
well known saying, “Islam did not rise except by Ali (a.s.)’s sword and Khadija
(s.a.)’s wealth.”
She was born in Makkah in 565 A.D. and died in 623 A.D. which was
11 years after Hijra. Her father was Hazrat Khuwaylid bin Asad belonging to
Banu Asad tribe, a clan of Banu Hashim. He was a successful merchant and
Sayyida Khadija inherited his vast wealth. Her trade caravan surpassed the
caravans of all other traders of Quraysh put together.
In the Arabian society of Ja’hiliah, she earned the titles of
“Ameert-ul-Quraysh” or “Princess of Quraysh” and “al-Tahira” or “the Pure One”
due to her impeccable personality and virtuous character, not to mention her
honorable descent. She
used to be kind to the poor, assist her relatives financially. She did
not worship idols and followed the Ibrahimic faith of Islam. As
she did not travel herself with the caravans of trade, she used to employee an
agent. At one time, she was looking for a new agent and Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)
suggested his nephew, the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) to do the job. She sent
her servant, Maysarah, with him. The trip produced more profit than expected.
Maysarah also saw some unusual events with the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.). She
sent him on another trade trip to Yemen. Her cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal told her
that the manners of young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) were like a messenger of God.
She had also heard about his trust and truthfulness. Consequently, she proposed
to marry him. The Nikah was performed by Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and Nawfal
gave away her hand to the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.). The marriage was a very
happy one and produced two boys who died in infancy. Sayyida Fatima Zahra
(s.a.) was the only daughter who survived. Her period of happiness lasted for
15 years. When the revelation started, she was the first woman
to confirm his prophecy. As Islam started to spread across the
Arabian Peninsula, she handed over her entire wealth to her beloved
husband and he used it for the welfare of Muslims. When the Quraysh boycotted
the family of Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.), the richest woman of Quraysh gladly shared
the hardships with her husband in the Shib-e-AbuTalib for 3 years. She used to
give one gold coin to Imam Ali (a.s.), who was 16 years old at that time, to
bring water secretly.
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) used to say that Sayyida
Khadijatul Kubra (s.a.) was one of the four best women of the world; the other
three being Hazrat Maryam, mother of Prophet Eisa’, and Hazrat A’siya, wife of
the Pharaoh and her daughter Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.)
On the death bed, she sought forgiveness from her husband if she
in any way had failed to serve the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Then asked for
Shifaa’t on the Day of Judgment from her husband. She told her wish to her
beloved daughter, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) to ask her father to shroud her
dead body in the clothes he (s.a.w.a.s.) was wearing when the first Wahi was
revealed.
Sayyida Khadijatul Kubra (s.a.) and the “Protector of the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.)” Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.) died in the same year. It was
a great shock for him (s.a.w.a.s.), hence he called that year as “Aam ul Huzn”
which means “Year of Grief”. Both these personalities were very
dear and important to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the All-Mighty Allah
had referred to their functions in his life in Surah az-Zuha Ayah 6 and
8, “Did He (Allah) not find you an orphan and gave you shelter? Did He (Allah)
not find you poor and enrich you?”
After her death, when one of his other wives heard him remembering
and praising Sayyida Khadijatul Kubra (s.a.), the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) became very angry and said, “She believed in me when all
others disbelieved; she held me truthful when all others called me a liar; she
sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me;
and Allah granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other
women.”
Surah al-Ahza’b Ayah 6, “The Prophet has more authority over the
believers than themselves. His wives are their mothers.” The Muslims in
Makkah were very poor. The infidel Quraysh had ordered their community members
not to pay any wages to the Muslims. Sayyida 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, hence she took loving care of the Muslim Ummah. There is a well-known
tradition the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) that Paradise is under the feet of
their mothers.
Sources: Khadijatul Kubra by Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy, Duas.org, Ziaraat.com,
imamreza.net
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