(Sayyidah Khadeejah [radhiyallahu ‘anha] – Part Three)
Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was indeed an excellent spouse to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam); complying to his desires, running the affairs of his home, mothering all his children besides one son (Sayyiduna Ebrahim [radhiyallahu ‘anhu]), and not causing him any discomfort.
The excellent manner in which she conducted herself with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) can be clearly understood from the following:
On one occasion, Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), here is Khadeejah approaching with a utensil which has (either) gravy, food or something to drink (according to different narrations). When she comes to you, convey salaam to her from her Rabb and from me as well and give her glad tidings of such a house in Jannah which is made of a hollowed pearl, in which there is no noise (which will cause a disturbance) nor any toil.” When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) conveyed the salaam to her, she replied, “Indeed Allah Himself is As-Salaam (The Giver of peace) and may peace be on Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) and may peace be upon you O Messenger of Allah and His mercy and blessings.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #3820 and As-Sunanul Kubra lin Nasai #8301)
The reason why “no noise nor any toil” was specifically mentioned was that Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had never raised her voice when speaking to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and she had never caused him any type of difficulty or discomfort. (Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 3, pg. 137)
In fact, her compliance to the desires of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was such that when Sayyiduna Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was in her ownership, and she had noticed Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) interest in him, she gifted him to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Al-Isaabah vol. 8, pg. 102)
Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) bore six children for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam); two sons viz. Sayyiduna Qaasim and Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), both of whom had passed away during infancy, and four daughters viz. Sayyidah Zainab, Sayyidah Ruqayyah, Sayyidah Ummu Kulthoom and Sayyidah Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anhunna). (Fat-hul Baari vol. 7, pg. 171)
Not only did she bear these children for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), rather she looked after them and was a mother in the true sense of the word. Therefore, when she passed away, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was very saddened and grief-stricken. Hence, when Sayyidah Khawlah bintu Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the wife of Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! It seems that there is a void in your life due to the demise of Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes (definitely), (since) she was the mother of the family and the caretaker of the home.” (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 57)
Lessons:
1. The more excellent manner in which a wife conducts herself with her husband, and the greater source of comfort she becomes for him, the happier her marriage will be, and the more pleased Allah Ta‘ala will be with her. Hence, Allah Ta‘ala was so pleased with Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) that He conveyed His salaam to her through Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) and gave her the glad tidings of a special palace in Jannah! We too must endeavour to imbibe these qualities and thereby transform our ‘houses’ into ‘homes’, as well as secure the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala.
2. One of the extremely important portfolios of a wife is that she is the ‘home minister’. She takes care of the affairs of the home and gives her children the love, attention, care and correct upbringing which they desperately require. When this portfolio is not adequately fulfilled, the home is left in a ‘mess’ and the children grow up without the correct values and direction. Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) fulfilled this portfolio with such excellence, that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) even reminisced this quality of hers after her demise.