Khadijah Bint Khawaylid Radiallahu Anha – Part 5
THE DEMISE OF ONE OF THE GREATEST WOMEN WHO WALKED THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH
Khadijah Radiallahu Anha passed away just three years before the Hijrah, or the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam’s migration to Al-Madinah. She passed away at the age of sixty-five, having given almost twenty-five years to Nabi Muharnmad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and the cause of Islam.
When Nabi Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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.
Nabi Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 YEAR OF HUZN (GRIEF)
The same year the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 the responsibilities 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 Radiallahu Anhu, visited the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam 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 SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND (SALLALLAHU ALAYHI WASALLAM)
A Companion of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam narrates that whenever any gift was brought to him he would immediately send it to some lady who had been a friend of Khadijah Radiallahu Anha. ‘Aishah Radiallahu Anha , a favourite wife of Nabi Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam says that whenever a goat was slaughtered Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam would send some meat to Khadijah Radiallahu Anha’s 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 Radiallahu Anha said she never experienced such a feeling of natural feminine jealousy for any other wife of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam as she did for Khadijah Radiallahu Anha. She also narrates that whenever Nabi Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam spoke of her he would talk at great length and praise her qualities, and pray for her forgiveness. As Allah 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)
