Tenth of Ramadan month; the death anniversary of Lady Khadija

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The month of Ramadhan includes a lot of significant events in the Islamic history, such as the misfortune that coincided with the calamity of death of the beloved uncle of the Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) Abu Taleb (peace be upon him), that happened on the 10th of month of Ramadhan in the 10th year of the Bi'thah (prophetic mission), which is the death of the great saint Khadija bint Khuwaylid (peace be upon her), who is the best, the most respectable, the most beloved and the most virtuous of the wives of the Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household).

She was a resolute honorable lady from the most important noble and wealthiest families of Quraysh. She championed her husband the Messenger of Allah (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) during the ordeal days, she lightened his sorrows when he (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) was faced by hatred from the infidels of Mecca, and she remained supporting him up to the last moment of her life.

It is narrated by Anas Ibn Malek that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) has said: "The best of all mankind's women are four: Maryam bint `Imran (Mary mother of Jesus), Assiya daughter of Muzahim, wife of Pharaoh, Khadija bint Khuwaylid and Fatima Az-Zahra daughter of Mohammad (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household,)" and that the first women believed in the religion of Islam was Khadija (peace be upon her).

Our saint Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) said about her (peace be upon her): "Islam did not rise except through Ali's sword and Khadija's wealth," because she spent all her money for the sake of the victory of Islam, and Muslims will remain always and forever owe to the sacrifices of this pure woman who formed with the Jihad of imam Ali Ibnu Abi Taleb (peace be upon them) the most important powerful axes and thoughtful bases to spread the religion of Islam and make its flag flapping high up to this day.

Saint Khadija (peace be upon her) was to the Messenger (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) a haven of tranquillity and peace, when he was hurt from the evils of the polytheists and aristocrats of Quraysh, she was his serenity, his comfort, his love and his compassion, she had always the wise opinion, in deed, she is the perfect example of the pious and virtuous woman. With the exception of Khadija (peace be upon her), the Apostle (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) married all other women for one or more of reasons. His marriage with Khadija was the only one which rested upon affection, love and friendship; and for him, it fulfilled all the aims of marriage. Our holy prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) has said: "I have never been distressed during the life of Abu Taleb and Khadija."

Saint Khadija (peace be upon her) was the favourite slave of Allah, she was unique; she was incomparable, and she was a "special" in the sight of Allah Who sent His greetings and salutations to her through the Archangel Gabriel. As the Lord of Dignity ordered Gabriel (peace be upon him) to convey His regards to her. Gabriel (peace be upon him) said to Mohammad (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household): "O Mohammad! Khadija is bringing you a bowl of food; when she comes to you, tell her that her Lord greets her, and convey my greeting, too, to her." When he (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) did so, she said: "Allah is the Peace, and He is the source of all peace, and upon Gabriel be peace."

She (peace be upon her) got married to the Holy Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) in the tenth of Rabi' al-Awwal, and he did not marry any other wife in her life until she died (Peace be upon her).

She (peace be upon her) died in the tenth of the month of Ramadhan in the tenth year of Bi'thah (prophetic mission), and was buried at Hujun in the outskirts of Mecca. The Messenger of Allah (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy household) enshrouded her first with his cloak and then with the shroud [kafan] brought by Gabriel (peace be upon him) from heaven, she had then two shrouds, one from the Almighty God and the second from His Messenger, who dug her grave, laid in it and then buried her. [Then there was no prescribed funeral prayer].

When Lady Khadija (peace be upon her) became ill the Holy Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) told her: “O Khadija! Do you know that God has made you my wife in the heaven, too?”

Then he soothed her and promised her the heaven, describing the lofty blessings of the heaven to be bestowed on her for her services. As Khadija’s illness became serious, she said, “O Messenger of God! I want to make my last will: Forgive me for dereliction of duties.” The Prophet Mohammad (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) said, “I have never found any mistake or fault with you as you did your best. You got too tired of living with me and you spent your wealth in the path of God.”

She continued, “O Messenger of God! As the second part of my last will, I want you to take care of this girl – pointing to saint Fatima (peace be upon her) – as she will become motherless after my death lest any of Quraysh women annoy her, anybody slap her in the face, anybody shout at her, or anybody treat her harshly and disgracefully.

And I feel ashamed of telling you the third part of my will. I will say it to Fatima and she will narrate it for you.” Then she called Fatima (peace be upon her) and told her, “My dear! Tell your father that my mother is afraid of the grave and wants you to wrap her body before burial with the clothes you wore while receiving the first revelations from God.”

Getting her message, Prophet Mohammad (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) was surrounded by grave sorrow, and said to Fatima (peace be upon her) while giving his cloak: “O the life of Father! Take this mine shawl and give it right now to your mother so that her heart becomes satisfied.”

After the death of Khadija, the Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) personally washed her body and was about to wrap the body in due shroud that Gabriel (peace be upon him) came while bringing a shroud from heaven and said: “O the Favorite of The Magnificent! Allah says after Salam (peace) that whatever Khadija (peace be upon her) had, she sacrificed it in My way. Now, Me (Allah) Himself will honor her with attire of My favor. A holy shroud will be provided as a gift for Khadija from Heaven.”

Peace on you, O the mother of the pure Imams. Peace be on you, O the mother of the believing men. Peace be on you, O the first of the believing women. Peace be on you, O the sincere lady among the devoted ones. Peace be on you, O the chief lady of the sacrosanct (haram). And the queen of Mecca. Peace be on you, O the first one to believe in the Apostle of Allah from among the women. Peace be on you, O the one who observed servitude as it ought to be observed, submitted herself and discharged her wealth in the service of the chief of the Prophets. Peace be on you, O the companion of the beloved of the Lord of the Heaven. The spouse of the epitome of the chosen ones.

O the daughter of Ibrahim, the friend (of Allah). Peace be on you, O the one to whom Gabriel used to salute and used to convey to her the salutations from Allah, the Majestic.

Peace be on you, O the protector of the religion of Allah. Peace be on you, O the helper of the Apostle of Allah. Peace be on you, O the one whose burial was arranged by the Apostle of Allah and he entrusted her to the Mercy of Allah. I bear witness that you are esteemed near Allah and the chosen one among His nation and that Allah has placed you in His Mercy in a place built of ruby and in the highest grades of Paradise.



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