Islam : Course Content

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Islam : Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid • Khadijah is honoured for two reasons: • 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

9. 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

10. 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.”

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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 :

14. 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 :

15. 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.”

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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.”

21. 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.

22. 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.”

23. 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.”

24. 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)

25. 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.

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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