Khadijah Bint Khawaylid Radiallahu Anha – Part 4

RESILIENCE OF KHADIJA RADIALLAHU ANHU DURING THE BOYCOTT OF BANU HASHIM

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 Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam did not turn away from their true religion and they came out of the ordeal stronger and purer than before.

Khadijah Radiallahu Anha who had been brought up in luxury in the home of her wealthy father now faced the economic hardships with patience and courage, which is a necessary part of any siege.

Khadijah’s Radiallahu Anha nobility of character and conduct pleased Allah so much that He sent special greetings for her. This incident was narrated by Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam to Abu Huraira Radiallahu Anhu and quoted in a Hadiih of Sahih Al-Bukhari.

THE BLESSED HOUSE OF KHADIJA RADIALLAHU ANHA

Khadijah Radiallahu Anha was the ideal wife and mother. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam lived in her house which became a blessed place due to his presence and Jibril Alaihis Salaam came often to visit him there with Quranic revelations. It became the centre of Islam, where the Companions and women Companions visited often to partake of the hospitality of Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and his wife.

After the Hijrah (migration) of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam to Al-Madinah, the house was occupied by the brother of ‘Ali Radiallahu Anhu. Later Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan Radiallahu Anhu who transcribed some of the Divine Revelations purchased this house and built a mosque. Thus the site of the house of Khadijah Radiallahu Anhu became a place of prayer and worship for all time. She had been used to praying two Rak’aat of Salat (prayer), mornings and evenings with Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam even before prayers were made compulsory by Allah Ta’aala. 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 Radiallahu Anhu 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 Radiallahu Anhu what they were doing and whether this was a new form of exercise.

‘Abbas Radiallahu Anhu 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 (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) 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 Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and his Companions in their prayers and supplication on that memorable day in Mina, when he had first heard of Islam.