Khadijah Bint Khawaylid Radiallahu Anha – Part 3

A HAPPY FAMILY

Khadijah Radiallahu Anha 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 Radiallahu Anhum

They were wonderful, intelligent children and it was a very happy, peaceful and content household. But all this did not seem enough. Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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.

FIRST REVELATION AND THE COMFORT OF KHADIJAH RADIALLAHU ANHA

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 Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam answered that he was illiterate. But the person repeated the same act and the phrase again and again. Then finally he read these Ayaat which are the first revelation of the Quran. They are from Suran lqra 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 Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam returned home sweating and shaking.

He called out to Khadijah Radiallahu Anha 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 Radiallahu Anha, a picture of loyalty and serenity consoled him saying that Allah Ta’aala 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 Radiallahu Anha gave him immeasurable strength and confidence.

She then took to meet her cousin, Waraqah bin Nofil, who immediately guessed the identity of the being in the Cave of Hira as the Angel Jibril Alaihis Salaam, the Messenger of Allah who had visited Musa Alaihis Salaam as well. Waraqah who was very old wished that he could live to see the time when Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam would be forced into exile by his people. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 Rasool who rose among them. As the proverb has it, “A Rasool 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 Rasool of Allah whose advent had been mentioned in the scriptures.

CHILDREN FROM KHADIJAH RADIALLAHU ANHA

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had six children by Khadijah Radiallahu Anha – 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 Radiallahu Anhum

They all migrated to Al-Madinah, with Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Zainab Radiallahu Anha was married to Abul ‘Aas bin Rabee’ ah and Ruqayyah Radiallahu Anha was married to ‘Uthman Radiallahu Anhu· When she passed away he married Umm Kulthom Radiallahu Anha. Fatimah Radiallahu Anha was married to ‘Ali bin Abi Talib Radiallahu Anhu.

The first three daughters died during the lifetime of Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, and his beloved daughter Fatimah Radiallahu Anha lived just six months after he passed away. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had three sons, two by Khadijah Radiallahu Anha, and Ibrahim, a third son by Maria Qabtiyyah Radiallahu Anha. The first son was named Qasim and the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam came to be known as Abu Qasim. 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 Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had no heirs to carry on his noble mission.

THE THIRD SON AND SURAH KAUTHAR

The third son, Ibrahim was born by his wife, Maria Qabtiyyah Radiallahu Anhu. He also died in infancy. When he saw Ibrahim passing away, he gently picked him up and said that he was helpless and could do nothing before the Will of Allah Ta’aala.

‘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.’

His enemies now started calling him Abtar, the one who had no descendants, whose lineage was cut off. But, Allah Ta’aala 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)

Source: Great Women of Islam