Holy Women

Khadija asked Nafisa, who was her close friend and whom she always trusted with her secrets, to speak to the Prophet about marriage. Nafisa went to him and asked, 'Why do you not get married?' He answered, 'My living conditions and financial situation do not allow me to get married'. Nafisa said, 'Will you agree to get married if this problem is solved and a rich, beautiful, and honorable woman from a well-known family asks you to marry her?' He asked, 'Who is this woman you are talking about?' Nafisa answered, 'Khadija'. He said, 'How is it possible? She has rejected the proposals of many of the Quraysh aristocrats and rich men. Would she marry me?' Nafisa said, 'This union is possible and I will arrange it'. When he became quite sure of Khadija's inclination towards marriage with him, the Prophet talked to his uncles about the matter. They were very pleased with this good news, and they attempted to arrange the marriage for their blessed nephew. And finally this auspicious marriage was celebrated with special ceremonies. 37

The Prophet spent 25 years of his life with Khadija, who was not only a loving wife for him, but also his best and most helpful mate. 38 This period is considered to be the best period of his married life. Khadija, peace be upon her, was the first woman who believed in the Prophet's divine prophecy. She put all her wealth at his disposal to propagate and promote Islam. 39 Six children were born of his marriage: two sons named Qasim and Tahir who passed away as infants in Makkah and four daughers named Ruqiyah, Zaynab, Umm Kulsum, and Fatima, who was the most prominent and honoured of them all. 40

Khadija was so devoted to her husband and showed such great sympathy and self-sacrifice for him and for the promotion of his religion that not only did he love her dearly and respect her highly during her lifetime, but even after her death. Each time he remembered her, his blessed heart filled with sorrow 41 and he wept at her loss. Khadija's brilliant sun of life set at the age of 65, ten years after the actualization of the prophetic mission of the Prophet. 42 In this way, the house of our Holy Prophet became deprived of the light of Khadija's existence forever.

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37. Bihar ul-Anwar, Vol. 16, pp.56-73.

38. Ibid., pp. 7, 10; A'lam Alwari, p.146.

39. Ibid., pp.10-71; A'yan ul-Shi'ah, Vol. 2, p.8.

40. Ibid., p.3; A'yan, p.18; A'lam, p.146.

41. Bihar ul-Anwar, Vol. 16, pp.8, 13.

42. Ibid.

Adapted from: "A Glance at the Life of the Holy Prophet of Islam" by : "Dar Rah Haqq's Board of Writers"