Download Islam : Course Content

Islam : Course Content
 Significant People and Ideas
–Explain the contribution to the
development of Islam of Khadijah Bint
Khuwaylid (555-619)
–Analyse the effect of this person
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 Came from a noble family
 Her father, Khuwayld, had
been one of the most
honoured men in his tribe;
he was killed in battle
 Born in Mecca
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 Also known as al-Tahira meaning “The Pure
One”.
 Was a rich widow who had been married
twice
 Many of the most important nobles of the
Quraysh had proposed to her, but she had
refused each of them.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 It is said that when Quraysh’s trade
caravans gathered to embark on their
lengthy and arduous journey either to Syria
during the summer or Yemen during the
winter, Khadijah’s caravans equalled all the
caravans of all the other traders of Quraysh
put together.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 Hired Muhammad,
who was a distant
cousin, as her agent
because of his
reputation for honesty
and trustworthiness.
 He returned from his
trading in foodstuffs
and manufactured
clothing with a
handsome profit
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 This business relationship
assisted in enhancing
Khadijah’s wealth
 It is said that Khadijah
used part of her money to
clothe the poor, assist her
relatives financially and
even provide for the
marriage of some of her
kin
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 With the passing of time, this business
relationship developed into a more deeply
personal one.
 When Muhammad was 25 and Khadijah
was 40, she proposed the idea of marriage
to him. He accepted and they were wed in
595.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid

Khadijah is honoured
for two reasons:
1. She was the first of
Muhammad’s wives
and supported him as
he was receiving the
revelations from Allah
and spreading the
message of peaceful
submission to Islam
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
2. Within that support,
she was the first
Muslim, the first
human, who followed
the call of
Muhammad to
submit to the will of
Allah
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad
loved Khadijah so much that he did not have
any more wives (contrary to tradition) until
after her death.
 He is reported to have said “The best of the
women of her times was Khadijah, daughter
of Khuwaylid.”
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 They had six children,
2 boys and 4 girls.
Unfortunately only one,
Fatima, survived to
have children herself.
So it is through her
family that the direct
line of Muhammad can
be traced.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 It became Muhammad’s
habit, in the month of
Ramadan, to go into
seclusion to reflect and
pray in a cave on Mt Hira
(the mountain of light) near
Mecca
 Tradition tells us that
Khadijah provide food and
drink for Muhammad
during this retreat period.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 At the end of one of these
times, when he was 40
and she 55, Muhammad
returned home in a state of
fear
 He explained how the
angel Jibril had appeared
to him telling him to
“Read”. Although unable to
read or write, Muhammad
asked Jibril what to read.
His reply was :
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 “Read in the name of your
Lord who created, created
man from a clot, Read and
your Lord is the Most
Gracious, who taught with
a pen, taught man what he
did not know.”
Qur’an 96 : 1-5
 Khadijah was not afraid
and reassured Muhammad
by responding :
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 “Allah would never
humiliate you, for you are
good to your relatives, you
are true to your word, you
help those who are in
need, you support the
weak, you feed the guest
and you answer the call of
those in distress.”
 Muhammad was known in
Mecca as “al-Amin” – the
trustworthy one.
Shahada : “I testify that there
is no god but God. And I
testify that Muhammad is
the Messenger of God.”
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 This was the beginnings of
the revelations of Allah to
Muhammad – the
beginning of the Qur’an
 Understandably
Muhammad was fearful of
the vision and the task
before him and his ability to
fulfil God’s will.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 Khadijah supported him in this task, helping
him realise that he was the chosen one.
 She actively showed her support and
expressed her faith in public
 She witnessed that there was no god but
Allah and continued witnessing that
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 This was not a
welcome message
because the Quraysh
society had been a
polytheistic one : the
Ka’ aba stone in
Mecca was the home
of 360 idols, both male
and female
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 Muhammad and Khadijah faced opposition and
harrassment form the Quraysh people in Mecca
for their belief in one God
 About 7 years after the initial revelation, they and
their followers were expelled from Mecca. For
three years they camped in the mountains
nearby.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 Khadijah also helped free
slaves who had converted
to Islam and, with her
wealth, helped to feed,
shelter and provide welfare
to the fledgling Muslim
community.
 There is a saying: “Islam
did not rise except through
Ali’s sword and Khadijah’s
wealth.”
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 At the end of these three
years, the boycott was
lifted and the Muslims
were allowed to re-enter
Mecca.
 That time must have taken
its toll on Khadijah’s health
because a few months
later she died, aged 65.
Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid
 Among Khadijah’s merits, it is said that Allah told
Jibril to convey His regards to her. Jibril said to
Muhammad : “O, Muhammad! Khadijah 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 did so, she said : “Allah is the Peace,
and He is the source of all peace, and upon Jibril
be peace.”
Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid :
Effects
 Muslim women consider it a
great honour that the first
person to follow and support
Muhammad was a woman.
 Khadijah is the first witness to
Allah.
 The prophet is quoted as
saying: “She believed in me
when no-one else did; she
accepted Islam when people
rejected me; and she helped
and comforted me when there
was no-one else to lend me a
helping hand.”
Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid :
Effects
 Khadijah was born into a male dominated and
chauvinistic society. Her family name, wealth and
business acumen, helped her to be accepted by
men.
 She gave generously : helped feed and clothe the
poor.
 Muslims believe that Khadijah is one of the four
most perfect of all women, the other three being
Fatimah (daughter of Muhammad), Maryam (Mary,
mother of Jesus), and Ishba (Elizabeth, mother of
Yahya or John the Baptist)
Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid :
Impact
 Khadijah changed her mental attitude and approach to life.
She was formerly a rich business woman who, while
ethical, was bent on accumulating more wealth. After
accepting Allah’s words, her wealth was a means of
furthering Islam.
 Khadijah not only believed, she lived out her beliefs. Her
faith became a moral imperative, driving her actions, such
as help for the poor.
 Khadijah knew what she was doing was right and
presented her support of Muhammad in a way which
encouraged others to do the same. Thus she was an
evangelist for her faith.
Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid :
Impact
 Khadijah’s support of
Muhammad helped the spread
of Islam.
 The concept of the Umma or
community of faith began with
her and the support she gave
Muhammad
 Khadijah’s example is well
known throughout the Muslim
world and, regardless of the
school of Islam, all Muslims
revere her memory and try to
follow her example in her
support of Muhammad and
loyalty to the teachings of Allah
Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid :
Impact
 Khadijah’s life is an example which shows
that, regardless of how focused you are on
worldly pursuits, there is always an
opportunity to change and make amends
 Khadijah’s example shows that people need
to put belief into action if they are going to
be true to their faith.
Khadijah’s Legacy
 MATERIAL WEALTH - Gave all her money
to help spread the message of Islam
SUPPORT – Supported Muhammad in his
aim to spread the message of Islam
 DISCIPLESHIP – First person to submit to
the will of Allah and proclaim that
Muhammad was His prophet