Part 88

Mary the mother of Jesus was unique, in that she gave birth to a son by a special miracle, without the intervention of the customary physical means. This of course does not mean that she was more than human, any more than that her son was more than human.

Being chosen as the purest of womankind, she was told that she would beget a child without wedlock. Maryam was still a virgin. No human had touched her, nor was she married or engaged. Therefore she was stunned and wonered saying,

éShe said: How shall I have a son, seeing that no

She at once heard the Divine reply,

(He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'That is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a mercy from Us": It is a matter

Allah had destined her to be the mother of the Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus Christ) in a miraculous way.

Allah's creation is not dependent on time, or instruments or means, or any conditions whatsoever. Existence waits on His Will, or plan, or Intention. The moment He wills a thing it becomes His Word or command, and the thing forthwith comes into existence.

Allah created Adam without a father and mother. There was no man or woman before Adam. Hawwa' was created after Adam and she was created from a male without a female parties.

Both Maryam and her son, ‘Isa were unfortunately later taken as objects of worship by some sects of Christians because of the strangeness of ‘Isa's birth without a father, though as commentators point out, by such reasoning the Prophet Adam (pbuh) might better deserve to be worshipped, since he had neither father nor mother.

The amazement of the people knew no bounds. In any case they were ready to think the worst of her, as she had disappeared from her kin for some time. But now she came, shamelessly parading a babe in her arms! How she had disgraced the house of Aaron, the fountain of priesthood! The people then reminded her of her high lineage and the unexceptionable morals of her father and mother. How, they said, she had fallen, and disgraced the name of her progentors!

What could Maryam do? How could she explain? Would they, in their censorious mood, accept her explanation? All she could do was to point to the child, who, she knew, was no ordinary child. And the child came to her rescue. By a miracle he spoke, defended his mother, and preached to an unbelieving audience. Allah the Almighty said,

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She was the best of womankind in her lifetime. She was the daughter of Khuwailid Ibn Asad Ibn ‘Abdu-l-Uzza Ibn Qusayy Ibn Kilab. She was from the tribe of Quraish and of Bani Asad and was called the chaste woman. She was bor in a house of glory and leadership fifteen years before the Year of the Elephant and brought up in an honorable house. She was a rational and venerable woman. She was famous for her strictness, reason and decency. Because of this, she was respected and desired by the elite of her tribe.

She got married to Abu Halah Ibn Zararah of Tamimi-tribe and gave birth to Halah and Hind. After the death of Abu Halah, she married ‘Ateeq Ibn ‘A‘iz Ibn ‘Abdullah who was from the tribe of Bani Makhzum. They stayed together for a period of time before separation.

Then, she refused many proposals of marriage made by venerable men. She devoted her life for her children and towards managing her trade. She was wealthy and used to hire men to manage her trade as partners.

Being informed of the Prophet Muhammad's truthfulness, integrity and good manners before his Messengership, she entrusted him to run her trade accompanied by her slave Maysarah in ash-Sham (Syria) and promised to pay to him more than to others. The Prophet agreed and travelled with Khadija's slave. He achieved great gains by Allah's willing. Khadija was quite pleased with his achievements. But what pleased and gained her admiration even more was Muhammad himself.

She started to think of him and found herself attracted to Muhammad emotionally. She had never felt such emotion before. But she started to wonder: Would he accept her proposal since she was forty years and he was only twenty-five? How could she face those whom she refused of the masters of Quraish before?

Meanwhile, her friend, Nafisa Bint Munabbih, entered and started to talk with her until she made her disclose what perplexed her. Then she comforted her and reminded her of his good character, lineage, wealth and grace over all those venerable men who sought to marry her.

No sooner did Nafisa leave Khadija than she (Nafisa) went to Muhammad. She intuitively asked him, "Why did you not many, Muhammad?" He answered, "I cannot afford marriage." She smiled and said, “If there is anyone who could be elligible would you agree?" He asked, "Who is she?" She said instantly, "Khadija Bint Khuwailid." He said, "I would agree if she did."

Nafisa instantly went to Khadija to tell her the good news. On the other hand, Muhammad told his uncles about his wish to marry Khadija. Then, Abu Talib, Hamza and others went to Khadija's uncle, Amr Ibn Asad and betrothed his niece and offered him the dowry.

When marriage was concluded, many animals were slaughtered and distributed among the poor. They held the wedding party in Khadija's house. Halima as-Sa'diyyah who suckled Muhammad was among the audience. Khadija offered her forty sheep as a gift to the one who suckled her beloved husband, Muhammad.

When Khadija became Muhammad's wife, she set greatest examples in loving her husband and all what he desired. For example, she granted Zayd Ibn Haritha to Muhammad, when she felt that he loved him.

Likewise, she pleasantly accepted Ali Ibn Abu Talib as a member of her house due to Muhammad's wish. Allah showered incessant favors upon such happy union. He blessed them with boys and girls: al-Qasim, " Abdullha, Zaynab, Rugayyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatima.

Muhammed was inclined, as Allah willed, to worship in solitude. He kept on worshipping Allah in this manner in a cave on Mount Hira’ for a month every year. He used to stay there for some days living on little provision away from the vain talk and the amusement of the people of Makka who worshipped idols.

Although Khadija could not endure to be away from Muhammad, she prefered to keep silent and not to ask him what he was doing there so as not to disturb him. She did her best in order to look after him and to let him live peacefully at home. When going to the cave, she kept watching him and then sent whosoever could guard him without disturbing him.

The Messenger of Allah kept doing that for a period of time. Then came Jibreel (peace be upon him) with Allah's bless while Muhammad was in Hira’ in Ramadan. Having received Allah's revelation, he went home scared, pale and trembling. He said, "cover me, cover me." After she knew what had happened, he said to her, "I am scared, Khadija" This rational wife replied, "May Allah look after us, Abul-Qasim, what good news, my cousin. So be steadfast. By Whom in Whose hand is Khadija's soul I think that you are the Prophet of this nation. By Allah, Allah will never make you lose. You keep good terms with your relatives, are truthful, help the weak, are a good host to your guests and help the afflicted.”

Such encouragement comforted the Prophet's heart. She then went to her cousin Warqa Ibn Nawfal to tell him what had happened to Muhammad (pbuh). Accordingly, Waraqa proclaimed,

"Holy is He, Holy is He, by whom in whose hand is Waraqa's soul if you are truthful, Khadija, it is the great angel who came to Musa and ‘Isa. Surely, he is the Prophet of this nation. Would you tell him to be steadfast."

Afterwards, the wife went aforetime to please her husband with the good tiding. Then, she brought him to her cousin, Waraqa to listen to him together. When Waraqa watched the Prophet approaching, he shouted, "By whom in whose hand is my soul, you are, the Prophet of this nation. You will be rejected, hurt, expelled, fought. Had I lived until such day, I would have supported you. Then he kissed his head."

Muhammad asked, "Would they expel me? Waraqa replied, "Yes, None has claimed what you claim without being fought. I would like to live until such day." Then Waraq died soon after.

The Prophet was pleased upon hearing Waraqa's prophecy. He realised what his mission to his people was to be and this was Allah's law conceming His Prophets and all callers to Him. Therefore, no matter how severe sufferings or persecution were he was ready to meet.

Khadija was the first to believe in Allah and His Messenger and to embrace Islam. This faithful and loving wife supported her husband, the Prophet (pbuh), and helped him endure the most severe kinds of torture and persecution. Then, she relieved him when he was hurt or rejected. When they called him a liar, she alone remained true. Then the Qur'anic verses were revealed:

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€O thou wrapped up (in a mantle)! Arise and

deliver thy warning! And thy Lord do thou

magnify! And the garments keep free from stain!

And all abomination shun! Nor expect, in giving,

any increase (for thyself)! But, for thy Lord's