In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than they have on themselves, and his wives are (as) their mothers;

Quran, Surah al-Ahzaab (the Clans), Verse 6)

By the time the tenth of Ramadhan arrives, the believers have already completed one third of the blessed fasting month, the month of Mercy, the month whence the doors of Allah’s infinite mercy are locked in an open position, and the doors to his wrath and retribution are firmly closed.

The tenth of this blessed month brings with it a day that has exceptionally sad, that is the day we commemorate today, the day when our mother, the mother of all the believers, the mother of Fatimat az-Zahra(A), the beloved wife of Prophet Muhammad(S), Hadhrat Khadijat al-Kubra(A), passed away.

The historians have explained that in the early days of Islam, prior to the Migration (Hijrah) to Madinah, and the establishment of the first Islamic Government with Prophet Muhammad(S) at it’s head; when the Islam was a small but extremely potent revolutionary movement in Makkah, the Makkan authorities chose to exile the Prophet(S) and those who followed his path.  They knew that the Prophet(S)’s uncle, Hadhrat Abu Talib(A) the father of Imam Ali(A) had significant influence amongst the Makkan people, as a result, the authorities made a pact to exile all of them, including Abu Talib(A) and throw them out of Makkah.

A pact was made amongst the Leaders of Makkah, and they all agreed to a wholesale boycott of anyone affiliated even remotely to Prophet Muhammad(S) and to Islam.

It was on account of this, that the Prophet(S), along with the early Muslims, and his family, was forced out of Makkah, to a portion of land that was used by Hadhrat Abu Talib(A), this portion of land is commonly known as She’b Abu Talib, and is on the outskirts of early Makkah.

The Muslims were outcast for three years (in around 616 AD), during which time, Hadhrat Khadijah(A) used her influence and expertise at trade to broker purchase arrangements for food and water (and other essentials for existence) whenever possible with foreign and visiting trade delegations (visiting Makkah), so as to ensure that there was sufficient food and water for the Muslims that were exiled.

During these difficult years, the last of which, when Hadhrat Abu Talib(A), the Prophet(S)’s uncle and Hadhrat Khadijah(A) passed away, was known as the year of sorrow (Aam ul-Huzn), it was Hadhrat Khadijah(A) who supported and kept alive the Muslim ranks, and in that we, collectively as Muslims, owe her an eternal debt, that we can never repay.  Indeed, history recalls that it was her wealth that paid for the initial building of the Prophet(S)’s Masjid In Madinah after the Hijrah, so those who are fortunate enough to visit Madinah, should remember our beloved mother, Khadijat al-Kubra(A), the mother of the Believers, and realise that it is on account of her exceptional generosity and Love for Allah, the Prophet(S), for Islam and the entire Muslim Ummah, that today we have Islam.

Hadhrat Khadijah(A), became ill on and ultimately passed away, and the Muslim Ummah, were left, like Hadhrat Fatimat az-Zahra(A) as orphans. 

It was those same sons of Abu Sufyaan, who instigated the boycott of the Muslims, and who conspired against the Muslims and exiled them from Makkah, on account of their lust for power and fear at the beautiful message of Justice and Equity of Islam, indeed it was also the sons of Abu Sufyaan - may Allah eternally deprive him of His mercy - who conspired against Islam and the Muslims after the passing of the Prophet(S), and who instigated the weak-minded and weak-willed people to oppress and ultimately murder the daughter of Khadijat al-Kubra(A), the beloved daughter of the Prophet(S), and mother of al-Hasan(A) and al-Husayn(A), Fatimat az-Zahra(A), the Leader of the Ladies of Universes.

Indeed, it was the descendents from the same loin of Abu Sufyaan who instigated campaign after campaign to create disunity and strife amongst the Muslims, hoodwinking those close to the Prophet(S), but with weak and lacking understanding, to killing those who stood against them and told them they were wrong.  The voice of Justice exiled and buried in Rabazeh (Abu Dhar al-Ghaffari(A)).

The legacy that Khadijat al-Kubra(A), the Mother of the Believers has left behind, is that of the true Islam of Muhammad(S).  Her immense contribution to the survival of Islam, and her reliance on Allah, and acceptance of the Prophet Muhammad(S)’s message, gave her the station of being the first lady to accept Islam, alongside Imam Ali(A) who was the first man to accept Islam.

There is much that can be said about Hadhrat Khadijah(A), and indeed, many have said, it just suffices for this small student of Islam, to say, that Allah has given her a most lofty place, as one of the four Leaders of the Ladies of Paradise (Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh; Maryam, the Mother of Isa(A); and Fatimat az-Zahra(A), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad(S) being the other three).

It is important that all Muslims (and indeed non-Muslims) learn and take example from this exemplary lady, in this light, we present two items, one a detailed study on the life of Hadhrat Khadijah(A), and the other a short article:

Khadijah(A), Daughter of Khuwaylid, Wife of Prophet Muhammad(S) (Short Article)

Khadijat al-Kubra(A) - A Short Story of Her Life (Longer book, but easy to read)

Finally, on this sad occasion, we would like to send our condolences to the grandson of Khadijat al-Kubra(A), the son of Zahra al-Batoul(A), the Master of our Age(AJ), al-Hujjat ibn al-Hasan al-Askari(AJ), may our souls be his ransom), we would also like to send condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, and Leader of the Muslim Ummah, Imam Ayatullah al-Udhma Sayyed Ali al-Khamenei(HA), to the Great and Esteemed Islamic Leaders, Ayatullah al-Udhma Sayyed Ali as-Sistani(HA) and Ayatullah al-Udhma Sayyed Muhammad Husayn Fadhlullah(HA), to our beloved Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah(HA), the Secretary-General of Hizbullah, and to the entire Muslim Ummah.

May Allah, give us all the ability and spiritual impetus to attempt to emulate Khadijat al-Kubra(A) in our lives, and to take example from her, so that we may be worthy to be the dirt under our great mother’s feet, Amen, O Lord Sustainer of the Universes.

O Allah bless Muhammad(S),
                           and the family of Muhammad(A);
O Allah, gladden the people of the graves;
O Allah, enrich every poor person;
O Allah, satisfy every hungry one;
O Allah, clothe every unclothed one;
O Allah, help every debtor pay his debts;
O Allah, relieve every distressed one;
O Allah, return every traveler (to his home);
O Allah release every (unjustly held) prisoner;
O Allah, correct every wrong in the affairs of the Muslims;
O Allah, cure every sick one;
O Allah, ease our poverty by Your wealth;
O Allah, change our evil state to a good one 
                                                through Your excellent state;
O Allah, relieve us of our debts,
                                                and help us against poverty;
Surely You have power over all things;

Amen, O Lord Sustainer of the Universes

With Salaams and Dua’s

Shabbir

—
Shabbir R Hassanally, Co-Editor
islamicdigest.net