Khadijah(ra) was very blessed in the marriage, and had six children. First two sons, Qasim and ‘Abdullah; then followed the daughters, Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah . They were wonderful, intelligent children and it was a very happy, peaceful and content household. But all this did not seem enough. Muhammad (pbuh) 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(pbuh) 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 Qur’an. They are from Surah Iqra or Al-‘Alaq of the Noble Qur’an.
“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.” (96:1-5)
Then the being disappeared. This was such an awesome experience that the Prophet(pbuh) returned home sweating and shaking. He called out to Khadijah(ra) asking her to cover him with a sheet or a blanket. After lying down for some time he became a little more relaxed. 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(ra), a picture of loyalty and serenity consoled him saying that Allah(swt) 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(ra) gave him immeasurable strength and confidence. She then took him to meet her cousin, Waraqah bin Nofil, who immediately guessed the identity of the being in the Cave of Hira as the Angel Jibril(as) , the Messenger of Allah(swt) who had visited Moses as well. Waraqah who was very old wished that he could live to see the time when the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) would be forced into exile by his people. The Prophet(pbuh) 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(pbuh) who rose among them. As the proverb has it, “A Prophet is never honored in his own land.” 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(pbuh) of Allah(swt) whose advent had been mentioned in the scriptures.
The Prophet(pbuh) had six children by Khadijah(ra) – four daughters and two sons. The four daughters grew up to be faithful and courageous daughters of Islam. They were named Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthom and Fatimah They all migrated to Al-Madinah, with the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) Zainab was married to Abul Aas bin Rabee’ah and Ruqayyah was married to ‘Uthman When she passed away he married Umm Kulthom ; Fatimah was married to Ali bin Abi Talib. The first three daughters died during the lifetime of Muhammad(pbuh), and his beloved daughter Fatimah lived just six months after he passed away.
The Prophet(pbuh) had three sons, two by Khadijah(ra) and Ibrahim, a third son by Maria Qabtiyyah. The first son was named Qasim and the Prophet (pbuh) came to be known as Abu Qasim.1 The second son, ‘Abdullah was also known as Tahir (the pure) or Tayyab (the good). Both died in their childhood and the disbelievers were overjoyed that the Prophet had no heirs to carry on his noble mission. The third son, Ibrahim was bom by his wife, Maria Qabtiyyah. He also died in infancy. When he saw Ibrahim dieing, he gently picked him up and said that he was helpless and could do nothing before the Will of Allah.
‘We know that death is inevitable and is a fact of life. We also know that those who are left behind will catch up with those who have gone ahead; if this were not so we would grieve even more for Ibrahim. The heart mourns and the eye weeps, but it is not fitting that we utter words which might displease our Rabb, our Creator and Sustainer.’
On the day Ibrahim passed away there was a solar eclipse. The Arabs of ancient times were superstitious and associated these phenomena of nature – lunar and solar eclipses – with a great man’s death. Many Muslims even started associating the solar eclipse with Ibrahim’s death. But the Prophet(pbuh)immediately went up to the pulpit and in his sermon said,
‘Solar and lunar eclipses are signs of Allah. They never occur because of the death of any human being. When you see any of these offer Salat/
His enemies now started calling him Abtar, the one who had no descendants, whose lineage was cut off. But, Allah SI had more lasting bounties in store for him. He then revealed to him the beautiful Verses of Surat Al-Kauthar, the 108th Surah of the Noble Qur’an.
“Verily, We have granted you Al-Kauthar. Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice. For he who hates you, he will be cut off.” (108:1-3)
When the disbelievers saw that Islam was attracting more and more followers in spite of all their tactics, they had a meeting to decide what steps should be taken to stop the spread of this new religion. 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(pbuh) 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(pbuh) did not turn away from their true religion and they came out of the ordeal stronger and purer than before.
Khadijah(ra) 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(ra) ignobility of character and conduct pleased Allah(swt) so much that He sent special greetings for her. This incident was narrated by Muhammad(pbuh) to Abu Huraira and quoted in a Hadith of Sahih Al-Bukhari.
Khadijah(pbuh) was the ideal wife and mother. The Prophet(pbuh) lived in her house which became a blessed place due to his presence and the fact that Jibril(a) came often to visit him there with Qur’anic revelations. It became the centre of Islam, where the Companions and women Companions visited often to partake of the hospitality of Muhammad(pbuh) and his wife.
After the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet(pbuh) to Al-Madinah, the house was occupied by the brother of ‘Ali. Later Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyanwho transcribed some of the Divine Revelations purchased this house and built a mosque. Thus the site of the house of Khadijah(pbuh) became a place of prayer and worship for all time. She had been used to praying two Rak’adt of Salat (prayer), mornings and evenings with the Prophet(pbuh), even before prayers were made compulsory by Allah(swt). There is one incident recorded in history regarding this. 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 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(pbuh) and his Companions in their prayers and supplication on that memorable day in Mina, when he had first heard of Islam.
Khadijah(ra) passed away just three years before the Hijrah, or the Prophet’s(pbuh) migration to Al-Madinah. She died at the age of sixty-five, having given almost twenty-five years to Muhammad(pbuh) and the cause of Islam. When Muhammad(pbuh) 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, and her soul left its earthly body. Her grave was prepared at a place called Hujjoon, near Makkah. Muhammad(pbuh) 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 same year the Prophet’s(pbuh) greatest supporter and protector from among his family, his uncle Abu Talib passed away. Thus within the space of a few months two of his closest companions, supporters and benefactors had passed away. Besides his personal sense of loss and bereavement, Muhammad(pbuh) was deeply disturbed by the fact that his work of spreading the word of Allah was faced with problems and obstacles. His uncle had protected him at critical moments with his influence and authority; his wealthy wife gave her all generously to the cause, and also provided great moral and emotional support. Her house was a haven of peace for him as she took upon herself all of theresponsibilities of running the household and bringing up four young daughters. Whenever he was abused by the disbelievers she provided moral support and unflagging faith.
One of the ladies of the Quraish, Khawlah bint Hakim, visited the Prophet 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.
A Companion of the Prophet(pbuh) narrates that whenever any gift was brought to him he would immediately send it to some lady who had been a friend of Khadijah(ra)
‘Aishah(ra), a favourite wife of Muhammad(pbuh) says that whenever a goat was slaughtered the Prophet(pbuh) would send some meat to Khadijah’s(ra) 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
‘Aishah said she never experienced such a feeling of natural feminine jealousy for any other wife of the Prophet(pbuh) as she did for Khadijah(ra) .
She also narrates that whenever Muhammad(pbuh) spoke of her he would talk at great length and praise her qualities, and pray for her forgiveness.
As Allah(swt) says in Surah Al-Fajr in the Noble Qur’an 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.” (89:27-30)
LIFE 