Reference: http://www.haddady.com/ra_page_views.php?id=6&page=3&main=2
Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid (may Allaah be pleased with her) is a name that sparkles throughout the history of Islaam, like the brightness of a full moon in the night sky.
Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid – a symbol of devotion, trust, wisdom, intelligence, patience and stability.
She was married to the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and was a worthy wife to her husband, dedicating her life to him. She would always care for his happiness and when she saw him desire something, she would rush to aid him in achieving it. When she saw how the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) was pleased with her servant, Zayd Ibn Haarithah, she chose to present Zayd as a gift to him. When she saw how attached the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) was to being secluded in the Cave of Hira for nights on end before the Prophethood, she would prepare provisions and send them to him along with somebody who would tend to his needs without disturbing his solitude.
She would do all this whilst remaining content and fulfilled, despite the fact that the absence of the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi was sallam) was hurtful to her and difficult upon her; it is only natural that a wife loves the closeness of her husband, especially when the night falls upon her and she wishes to comfort herself in him and find tranquility therein.
When the angel unexpectedly came down to the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam), he thought that death, insanity or a similar affliction was descending upon him and so he rushed back to his home, both anxious and afraid. Khadeejah received him in this state, yet what was her reaction when she saw him in a state of fear? Did she see this as an opportunity to complain and seek revenge from a husband who would stay away from his house night after night; a husband who was always preoccupied with his own aspirations and thoughts – aloof from his wife, his home and his daughters? Surely this is what many women would have done, had they been in the position of Khadeejah.
As for Khadeejah, she was of a different nature to other women. She did not resemble them in their shortcomings, nor did they resemble her in her perfection. She would look with an insightful eye; she was tolerant, good-natured and open minded – as if she could foresee from behind a thin veil. She remained a source of confidence to her husband. She did not justify his reaction to what had just happened. Rather, she gave him glad-tidings regarding it.
She quickly realised the urgency of the matter and that she now had a very important role to play. She needed to reassure her husband and comfort him; she needed to allay his fears. She considered the past of the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and used this to envisage the future. She said to him:
By Allaah, He (Allaah) will never disgrace you! You maintain the ties of kinship; you are tolerant of others, you help the destitute, you are hospitable to your guests and you help those with a just claim obtain what is due to them.
She did not suffice with mere words. Rather, she took him by the hand to Waraqah Ibn Naufal – her nephew who was a scholar in Makkah – a scholar of early scripture. She informed him regarding what had happened and upon hearing this, Waraqah Ibn Naufal stood up and kissed the head of Muhammed (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam), giving him the glad tidings that he is the Prophet of this Ummah.
Thereafter, the Message (revelation) came to the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and so he began to call his people to the worship of Allaah alone. Many of the greatest and most intelligent minds became dumbfounded and heedless. However Khadeejah embraced the message; she was the first person ever to have faith. She believed in Muhammad, the Prophet, whilst the rest of the people belied him. She had faith in him whilst the rest of the people rejected him.
The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) went about calling to Allaah in all earnest, giving this his full attention and pursuing it night and day. His wife Khadeejah, stood by his side, firm and resolute like the mountains of Makkah. She would not be shaken by fear, nor would she despair of hope.
It was after this that the Muslims faced the terrible and brutal tribal boycott at the hands of their own people, which lasted three years. Khadeejah moved with her husband, even though she was not from his tribe Banee Haashim. At this stage, she had become old, exceeding sixty years of age. Her hair had become grey, her bones weakened and her strength had waned. However her faith would only increase and grow each day and her resolve would become only firmer.
Here she was… sacrificing everything she could for the Messenger of Allaah (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam). She sacrificed her youth, her speech and her wealth. She sacrificed her whole life to please Allaah and to assist the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) to complete his mission to call the people to Islaam.
The oppressive blockade of the Muslims came to an end [and in this period] Khadeejah began her last journey – her final illness. Just before her passing away, the glad tidings of her Lord came to her, just as a reward is presented to the greatest of people as they near the end of their time.
The angel Jibreel descended, conveying to her – upon the tongue of the Messenger of Allaah – peace and salutations from Allaah. The salutations of Allaah came as glad tidings of a palace in Paradise, a palace of gold with no more suffering therein – neither adversity nor hardship; a palace of gold with no more turmoil or chaos as a reward for the torment that she had endured from the polytheists and the men and women from the Quraysh who would mock and humiliate her.
Another distinction of this palace is that it is free from any pains and difficulties, a complete repose in place of her tiresome days. She had shared the responsibility of the Messenger in calling to Allaah, paying its price with personal struggle, [long] nights, sacrificing and giving it her all. Her Lord thus replaced this with something far better.
Finally, the Angel of Death came and took her pure soul. The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) became saddened upon this loss and began to feel a deep sense of grief. He had lost a most compassionate wife… a companion who had walked with him for a quarter of a century. He had lost his source of aid, an advocate and a devotee who would relieve him of his grief. He had lost the one who would wipe away his anguish; an anguish that was so severe upon him during this period that His Lord said regarding it:
{Then perhaps you would kill yourself} [18:06]
i.e. perhaps you would destroy yourself out of grief and sorry due to your people not believing in you.
Years passed by the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) since the death of Khadeejah (may Allaah be pleased with her) and he never did forget her. Neither the burdens of spreading the message [of Islaam], nor the enormity of the battles would distract him from remembering her. Whilst busy dealing with the affairs of ten households, he would remain true to Khadeejah. An example of this is how he would always honour her friends. He would never sacrifice an animal except that he would send some of it to her friends, in honour of the memory of Khadeejah. Once an old woman came to him and he became very pleased, tending to her needs and honouring her. ‘Aaishah, upon seeing such hospitality towards her, became surprised [and questioned him]. The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied,
Indeed she was the friend of Khadeejah.
His heart would palpitate when he would suddenly be reminded of Khadeejah. When Haalah bint Khuwaylid (the sister of Khadeejah) asked permission to enter upon him, and upon unexpectedly hearing her voice, he remembered the voice of Khadeejah. He stood up quickly, saying,
O Allaah, Haalah bint Khuwailid…
Ultimately, the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) crowned Khadeejah with something that would not be worn away by the passing of the days. He equated her with the rank of Maryam the daughter of Imraan. He (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,
Indeed the best of women in Paradise is Maryam the daughter of Imraan and also, the best of women in Paradise is Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid.
He demonstrated how she had reached the pinnacle of perfection that only a very small number of women had ever reached. He said:
Many men attained perfection, but only three women attained it: Maryam the daughter of Imraan, Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid and ‘Aasiya the daughter of Mazaahim. [1]
The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) once heard his other wives mentioning something disliked regarding Khadeejah, due to their natural jealousy of her and he rushed to defend her honour, stating her beauty and reliving her noble qualities, saying,
She believed in me when the people belied me, she had faith in me whilst the people rejected me. She supported me with her wealth when the people robbed me.
He mentioned other qualities and finished with saying
… she gave birth to my son.
May Allaah be pleased with Khadeejah and may He guide the Muslim women towards adopting Khadeejah as their example and role model.
Lastly, may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the kind and loyal Prophet.
Footnotes
[1] The wife of Pharaoh, who submitted herself to Allaah and aided Musa (alayi as-salaam), whilst residing in the house of the tyrant.
خديجة بنت خويلد قدوة صالحة وسيرة عطرة
المرجع: http://www.haddady.com/ra_page_views.php?id=6&page=3&main=2
خديجة بنت خويلد رضي الله عنها اسم يتلألأ في تاريخ الإسلام كما يتلألأ القمر ليلة البدر في أفق السماء. “خديجة بنت خويلد” رمز الوفاء والصدق، والحكمة والعقل، والصبر والثبات.
تزوجت برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فكانت نعم الزوج لزوجها، ملأت عليه كل حياته، إذ كانت دائمة المبادرة إلى مرضاته، لا ترى له رغبة في شيء إلا وأسرعت بما يعينه على تحقيقها، رأت إعجابه بغلامها زيد بن حارثة فوهبته له، رأت تعلق قلبه بالخلوة في غار حراء الليالي الطويلة قبيل البعثة، فكانت تهيئ له الزاد وترسل معه من يقوم برعايته دون أن يفسد خلوته، تفعل ذلك بنفس راضية، مع أن في خلوته بعيداً عنها إضراراً بها فالزوجة تحب قرب زوجها منها ، ولا سيما حين يرخي الليل سدوله ، لتأنس به ، وتطمئن إليه.
وجاء الملك فجأة ونزل برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فظنه الموت أو الجنون أو إحدى الدواهي العظيمة، فرجع إلى بيته مسرعاً، هلعا،ً خائفاً، تلقته خديجة وهو على ذلك الحال من الفزع فما كان موقفها ؟ هل وجدتها فرصة للتشفي والانتقام من هذا الزوج كثير البيات خارج المنزل ؟ من هذا الزوج المنشغل عن زوجه وبيته وبناته بتأملاته ؟ أليس هذا ما ستفعله عامة النساء لو كن في مكان خديجة ؟
أما خديجة فكانت طرازاً آخر من النساء لا تشبههن في نقصهن ، ولا يشبهنها في كمالها، كانت تنظر بعين بعيدة المدى ، واسعة الأفق، كانت ذات صفاء نفسي، وشفافية بالغة ، كأنما تنظر إلى الغيب من وراء ستر رقيق، كانت واثقة من زوجها وصواب تصرفاته ، تتنبأ له بنبأ عظيم ، فأدركت سريعاً أن عليها أن تحسم الأمر بسرعة، أن عليها مهمة عظيمة، وهو طمأنة زوجها، وتسكينه، وتهدئة روعه ، فقالت مستدلة بالماضي على المستقبل (كلا والله ، لا يخزيك الله أبداً، إنك لتصل الرحم، وتحمل الكل، وتكسب المعدوم، وتقري الضيف، وتعين على نوائب الدهر).
لم تكتف بذلك، بل أخذت بيده وذهبت به إلى عالم مكة بالكتاب الأول إلى ابن عمها (ورقة بن نوفل) فقص عليه خبره فقام ورقة وقبل رأس محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وبشره أنه نبي هذه الأمة..
وجاءت الرسالة ، وأخذ صلى الله عليه وسلم يدعو قومه إلى عبادة الله وحده فطاشت أكبر العقول، وأذكاها. لكن خديجة بادرت إلى الإيمان فكانت أول من آمن. صدقت به حين كذبه الناس، وآمنت به حين كفر به الناس. وانطلق الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم ماضياً في دعوته قد أخذت عليه كل همه، لا يفتأ عنها ليلاً ولا نهاراً. وزوجه خديجة إلى جواره شامخة شموخ جبال مكة الشماء ، لا تزعزعها الأهوال ، ولا يميل بها خوف ولا رجاء.
وجاء الحصار الآثم الغاشم حصار (الشِّعب) الذي استمر ثلاث سنوات، وتنتقل خديجة مع زوجها مع أنها ليست من بني هاشم ، وهي عجوز جاوزت ستين عاماً، قد شاب شعرها ووهن عظمها، وخارت قوتها ، لكن إيمانها لا يزداد كل يوم إلا شباباً، وثباتها لا يزداد إلا صلابة. هاهي تبذل لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عليه وسلم كل ما تقدر، بذلت شبابها ولسانها ومالها وعمرها وكل شيء في سبيل مرضاة الله وفي سبيل إتمام النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مسيرة دعوته.
انتهى الحصار الغاشم ولكن بدأت رحلتها مع المرض مرض الموت ، وتأتيها البشارة من ربها قبل موتها كالجوائز التي تمنح للعظماء في أواخر أدوارهم. هذا جبريل عليه السلام يبلغها على لسان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم السلام من الله ، والسلام منه، ويبشرها ببيت في الجنة من قصب ـ أي من ذهب ـ لا صخب فيه ولا نصب” . بيت من ذهب، لا صخب فيه ولا ضجيج مقابل ما تحملته من صخب المشركين والمستهزئين من رجال قريش ونسائها.
وميزة أخرى في هذا القصر أن لا نصب عليها فيه، راحة تامة مقابل ما تعبت في أيامها الخالية، لقد شاركت رسول الدعوة فدفعت ثمن شراكتها كثيراً من الجهد والسهر والبذل والعطاء فعوضها ربها خير عوض.
ثم جاء ملك الموت فقبض روحها الطاهر، وحزن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم على فقدها حزناً عظيماً، وحق له حيث فقد فيها الزوج الحنون، ورفيقة درب مدة ربع قرن، فقد العضد والنصير الداخلي الذي كان يخفف من أحزانه، ويمسح عنه غمومه، وما أكثرها علي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في تلك الفترة حتى قال له ربه “لعلك باخع نفسك” أي لعلك مهلك نفسك حزناً على عدم إيمان قومك.
مرت السنون برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بعد موت خديجة، لكنه لم ينسها ، لم يشغله عن ذكراها أعباء الدعوة ، ولا هول الحروب، ولا الانشغال بتدبير بيوت عشر زوجات في وقت واحد ، كان معها على غاية الوفاء، ومن صور وفائه إكرامه لصديقاتها ، فما ذبح شاة إلا وأرسل إليهن إكراماً لذكرى خديجة. وجاءته مرة عجوز فهش لها وأقبل عليها ، وأكرمها فتعجبت عائشة من هذه الحفاوة فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم إنها صديقة خديجة.
وكان قلبه يخفق حين يفجؤه ما يذكره بخديجة. ها هي هالة بنت خويلد تستأذن عليه فجأة فسمع صوتها وذكر فيه صوت خديجة فهب قائماً وقال اللهم هالة اللهم هالة. ـ أي اللهم اجعلها هالة. ويتوج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم خديجة بتيجان لا تبليها الأيام ، لقد جعلها صلى الله عليه وسلم في مصاف مريم بنت عمران حيث يقول (خير نسائها ـ يعني الجنة ـ مريم بنت عمران ، وخير نسائها خديجة بنت خويلد). ويقول مبيناً بلوغها قمة في الكمال لم تبلغه من نساء العالمين إلا القليل (كمل من الرجال كثير ولم يكمل من النساء إلا مريم بنت عمران، و خديجة بنت خويلد، وآسية بنت مزاحم).
وسمع مرة فيها بعض ما يكره بدافع الغيرة من بعض زوجاته بعد موتها بزمن ، فهب مدافعاً عنها ذاكراً لجميلها، محيياً لبعض فضائلها “صدقتني إذ كذبني الناس، وآمنت بي إذ كفر بي الناس، وواستني بمالها إذ حرمني الناس، وكانت ، وكانت .. وكان لي منها ولد”.
فرضي الله عن خديجة ، وأخذ بنواصي نساء الإسلام ليتخذن منها قدوة وأسوة، وصلى الله وسلم على هذا النبي الوفي الكريم.
