THE MAGNIFICENCE OF HAZRAT KHADIJA AL-KUBRA(RADI ALLAAHU ANHA)
Hazrat Khadija Al-Kubra(Radi Allaahu Anha), the first Muslim woman was a leading and successful businesswoman. She was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha) was a widow and older in age when Prophet ﷺ married her. She was the 'first lady' of Islam. This is not only because she was Prophet
Muhammad's ﷺ first (and only as long as she lived) wife, but for the more individual reason of being the first person to accept Islam.
Besides being wealthy, Hazrat Khadija Al-Kubra(Radi Allaahu Anha) was very decent and chaste. Because of her chastity, the people of Mecca called her 'Taahirah'.
Hazrat Aa'isha(Radi Allaahu Anha) reports that in regards to Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha), Prophet ﷺ said, 'Allah Ta'ala has blessed me with her love'. On another occasion, Prophet ﷺ said, 'she believed in me when nobody else did, she embraced Islam when people disbelieved me and she helped and comforted me when there was none to lend me a helping hand'.
Hazrat Aa'isha(Radi Allaahu Anha) narrates, 'I did not feel jealous of any of the wives of Prophet ﷺ as much as I did of Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha) though I did not see her.
Prophet ﷺ used to mention her very often. Whenever Prophet ﷺ slaughtered a sheep, he would cut its parts and send them to the woman-friends of Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha). When sometimes I said to him, 'you treat Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allahu Anha) in such a way as if there is no woman on earth except Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha)', Prophet ﷺ would say, 'Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha) was such and such and from her I had children'. (Bukhari).
Hazrat Qasim(Radi Allaahu Anhu), Hazrat Zainab(Radi Allaahu Anha), Hazrat Ruqaiya(Radi Allaahu Anha), Hazrat Umme Kulsoom(Radi Allahu Anha), Hazrat Fatimah(Radi Allaahu Anha), all were born to Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha).
Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha) stated that when she conceived Hazrat Fatimah(Radi Allaahu Anha), she used to smell the fragrance of jannah everyday.
When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reported the first revelation (wahi), Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha) was the first to believe in his Prophethood and accepted Islam. She sacrificed her ease and comfort. She adored Prophet ﷺ for his divine achievement. Hazrat Khadija Al-Kubra(Radi Allaahu Anha) helped and co-operated with him in distress in the days of his Prophethood.' When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the first revelation and came home frightened, she consoled him by saying 'Allah Ta'ala would not treat you thus, since He knows your truthfulness, your trust worthiness, your fine character and your kindness'.
She also received salutation from angel Jibreel(alaihis salaam).
Before the declaration of Islam, Prophet ﷺ used to go into the Cave of Hira with little food and spent many days and months worshiping Allah Ta'ala. Reaching the cave was very difficult because of the bush and wild animals. But Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha) used to take food for him without fear.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi Allaahu Anha) reported: 'Jibreel(alaihis salaam) came to Prophet ﷺ and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, here is Khadija coming to you with a dish of stew, food and drink. When she arrives before you greet her with peace on behalf of her Lord and myself. Give her glad tidings of a palace in Paradise made of reeds, wherein there will be no turbulence, nor fatigue'. (Bukhari).
The mother of the believers, Um Ul-Mu'mineen, Hazrat Khadija Al-Kubra(Radi Allaahu Anha) passed away on 10th of Ramadhan.
Narrated by Aa'isha(Radi Allaahu Anha), Prophet ﷺ had said regarding Hazrat Khadija Al-Kubra(Radi Allaahu Anha), years after her passing away, 'never did Allah Ta'ala give me a better wife than Hazrat Khadija(Radi Allaahu Anha). She hailed my mission at a time when everybody shouted against it. She lent me the support of her conviction when there was hardly a believer. She enlivened my heart when I felt lonely and deserted. Allah Ta'ala blessed me with Khadija's love. How would I forget her?'
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This article is an abridged English translation of an Urdu sermon delivered by his eminence, Peer Syed Imroz Dean Saifi, Hanfi, Maturidi of Masjid Anwaar e Madina, Surrey BC Canada
If there is an inaccurate translation, please pardon it and not let it be a means to negatively reflect on the honoured presenter.
