Khadijah - The First Person to Accept Islam - Hazrat Sayyedah Khadjiah History 1.2

Khadijah - The First Person to Accept Islam

Muhammad was now over thirty years of age. Love of God began to possess him more and more. He began to devote most

of his time to prayers and meditation. In those days Arab soci- ety had become extremely corrupt. People used to worship idols. It is said that there were three hundred and sixty idols placed in and around the Ka'bah. The monotheistic religion of their great ancestor, Prophet Ibraaheem, may peace be upon him, was largely forgotten. Arabs used to indulge in many vices like adultery, drinking, gambling, plunder, murder and many other illicit prac- tices. Muhammad was deeply hurt to see the mischievous deeds of the people of Makkah and the moral and spiritual decline into which the people had fallen. There was no way of rescuing them except through Divine guidance and help. He, therefore, chose a place of solitude and retreat in the Cave of Hira, about three miles outside the city. This was on top of a hill, a sort of cave, shaped out of stone. He used to go there alone or sometimes with Khadijah™ and spend several days and nights in meditation. Khadijah™ used to prepare enough food for him to last for several days so that he could worship God day and night.

When Muhammad saw was forty years old, he saw a vision. It was on a Monday in the last ten days of the month of Ramadhaan. As he was engaged in worship, he saw someone present in the cave. It was the angel Jibraa'eel, who commanded him to recite. Muhammad replied that he did not know what or how to recite. Thereupon, the angel clasped him to its bosom and squeezed him hard. Jibraa'eel then released him and directed him again to recite. Muhammad gave him the same reply. The angel squeezed him for the second time and asked him to recite. Again Muhammad saw gave the same answer. After the third embrace the angel released Muhammad and directed,

اقرأ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ ، خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ & إِقْرَا وَ رَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ لَ الَّذِي عَلَمَ

بالقلم لى عَلَمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمُهُ 

Recite in the name of your Lord Who created. Created man from an adhesive clot. Recite! And your Lord is the Noblest, Who taught by the pen. Taught man what he knew not. (Surah al-Alaq, 96:2-6)

These verses, the first ever revealed to the Holy Prophet saw, became part of the Holy Quran, as did other verses, which were revealed later.

Muhammad repeated the words as commanded. The angel then disappeared. Muhammad was full of anxiety because of the responsibility that Allah was about to place on him. He went home immediately and said to Khadijah", "Wrap me up. Wrap me up with something.'

After a while when his anxiety had somewhat subsided he related the whole incident to her and summed up his fears, saying, 'Weak man that I am, how can I carry the responsibility which Allah proposes to put on my shoulders.'

Khadijah replied, 'God is witness, He has not sent you this Word that you should fail and prove unworthy, that He should then give you up. How can God do such a thing to you? You are kind and considerate to your relations. You help the poor and bear their burden. You try to restore the virtues that have disap- peared from society. You honour guests and help those who are in difficulty. Can you be subjected by God to any trial?'

She then suggested that they should go to her cousin Waraqah bin Naufal, a Christian hermit, and consult him. Waraqah was an old man. He was an expert in Hebrew language and had very good

knowledge of the Scriptures. When Waraqah heard the details of the incident, he said, 'I am sure the angel, who used to descend on Moses, had descended on you. I wish I would be alive to give you my support when your people will turn you out of your homeland.' 'Will they indeed expel me?' The Holy Prophet asked in great surprise.

The Christian hermit said, "There has been no Messenger who has not been opposed by his people. If I survive till that time, I shall help you with all my strength. However Waraqah was unable to witness those days as he lived only a short time thereafter.

Hazrat Khadijah was the first person to believe in the Holy Prophets. She had witnessed his purity and greatness in his youth and had spent fifteen years in his company. She, therefore, accepted him without any hesitation. She was very fortunate, as Islam, the religion of peace, started in her house.

Ali, who was ten years old at that time and Zaid, the freed slave of the Holy Prophet, were both members of his family. They also believed in him, the moment he announced his mission.

Hazrat Abu Bakr, who became Khalifah after the death of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was a close friend of the Holy Prophets. He lived in the same part of the town in which Hazrat Khadijah" and the Holy Prophetaw lived. He, too, accepted the claim of the Holy Prophets without any hesitation.

Among other earliest converts was Zubair. He was the son of Hazrat Khadijah's brother 'Awwaam and the Holy Prophet's aw aunt Safiyah and was fifteen years old.

This small group of early believers resolved that they would help the Holy Prophets in preaching Islam. As a result Islam began to spread slowly and steadily in Makkah.

The Faithful Persecuted

When the Quraish observed that in spite of their strong oppo- sition, Islam was spreading fast, they became furious and started a cruel campaign to stop the message of Islam. It was a difficult period for the Muslims, however they remained steadfast. They were confident of Allah's help and were convinced that this period of trial would end soon and that Islam would triumph in the end. God repeatedly consoled the Holy Prophets through revelation, which enhanced the faith of every Muslim.

The slaves were possibly the worst affected group. Their mas- ters used to inflict unbearable torments upon them in vain attempt to force them to renounce Islam. Here are some examples.

Bilaal was a slave, who had accepted Islam. His master Umayyah bin Khalf used to lead him out of the town and make him lie down on his bare back, exposed to the blazing heat of the sun. Enormous stones were then heaped on his chest. Sometimes he was dragged through the stony streets of Makkah. Umayyah would then tell him to give up his religion and sing praise of the Makkan gods, Laat and 'Uzzaa instead.

In spite of all this torture, Umayyah could not force Bilaal" to renounce Islam. He would say, 'Ahad! Ahad!' Ahad means one. Thus Hazrat Bilaal" would go on declaring that God is one.

'Ammaar was another slave. He was often beaten up cruelly and asked to renounce Islam. His father Yaasir" and his mother Samiyyah were tortured too. On one such occasion the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, happened to pass by. He was very sad to see them suffering and said, 'Family of Yaasir! Bear up with patience, as your final resort is paradise.

Soon after Hazrat Yaasir" died because of the wounds and sometime later Abu Jahl murdered his wife Hazrat Samiyyah™ with a spear. Zinnirah" was a female slave. Abu Jahl beat her so cruelly that she lost her eyesight.

Other slaves were mishandled in similar ways. The Holy Prophets, Hazrat Khadijah" and other Muslims were naturally very sad to see their fellow Muslims tortured.

The free citizens who accepted Islam were not less cruelly treated. Their elders and chiefs tormented them in different ways.

Hazrat Khadijah's nephew, Zubair" bin 'Awwaam, a brave young man, who later became a great Muslim General, was often wrapped up in a mat by his uncle. Smoke was then passed through the mat in order to torture him by suffocation. He endured the torture patiently and continued to affirm that, having recognised the truth, he would not denounce it.

The Holy Prophet saw was not spared either. The Quraish incited the mischievous people among them to molest the Holy Prophet in every possible way. Sometimes when he went out in the street, his opponents used to hurl abuse at him and rubbish was thrown at him.

His neighbours threw stones into his house, scattered thorns outside his door and put foul smelling substances inside the walls of his dwelling.

In spite of all this Hazrat Khadijah" and the Holy Prophet remained very patient.

On one occasion when he was engaged in Prayer near the Ka'bah, Uqbah bin Abi Mu'eet, a bitter enemy of Islam, came and winding a piece of cloth around the neck of the Holy Prophets tightened it so hard that it was difficult for the Holy Prophet saw to breathe. When Hazrat Abu Bakr came to know of this, he rushed to the spot and rescued him saying: 'Would you kill a per- son who says that Allah is his Lord?'

Hazrat Khadijah's family showed great bravery and nobil- ity in supporting the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Hazrat Khadijah's son, Haarith™ by her first husband Abu Haallah, gave his life in defending the Holy Prophets It is related that when the Holy Prophet was commanded by Allah to preach openly, he went to the Ka'bah and addressing the people present there said, 'Declare: "There is none worthy of worship except Allah' and you will be successful.'

The Quraish who were present there were much offended and rose to attack the Holy Prophets. When Haarith" came to know of this, he rushed to the place in order to protect the Holy Prophets, and fought bravely with the attackers. Someone, from among the Quraish, drew his sword and killed Haarith on the spot. He was thus martyred for the sake of Islam. Hazrat Khadijah" was naturally very grieved at the death of her son but she resigned herself to the Will of God.

The lives of the Muslims in Makkah were becoming more and more difficult day by day. The situation was rapidly deteriorat- ing. The Holy Prophets advised the community to migrate to Abyssinia. The first batch of these immigrants included, among others, Zubair bin 'Awwaam, Hazrat 'Uthmaan" and his wife Hazrat Ruqayyah". Hazrat Khadijah" was very sad to see her daughter; son-in-law and her nephew leave Makkah in order to take refuge elsewhere.

One can imagine the distress which persecution had caused to the noble wife of the Holy Prophets, Hazrat Khadijah". She was grieved to see the cruel treatment of the people of Makkah for the Holy Prophet and his followers. In spite of all this she remained very patient, comforted her husband and her family as well as other believers who were going through this difficult period.

Sometimes the Holy Prophet would come home very sad and disappointed at the rejection of his claim by the people of Makkah. Hazrat Khadijah" would listen to him and try to cheer him up by reassuring him and supporting him.

She was an extremely intelligent woman. She had strong faith in Allah's help and was convinced that eventually the people would accept the message of Islam.

The Boycott

The leaders of the Quraish tribe conducted a meeting in which they agreed upon a plan. They decided that in order to stop further spread of Islam, every tribe should join in the campaign against the Holy Prophets and his followers. In addition, elders of each tribe should force such of its members, who had embraced Islam, to renounce it. They thought that by this device Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would be deserted by his followers and being left alone, would not be able to carry on his mission. Moreover by adopting this method there would be no chance of an inter-tribe enmity as the converts will be dealt with within each tribe.

This plan was put into practice accordingly. The result was that the individual Muslims were exposed to all manners of perse- cution at the hands of their fellow tribesmen. The senior members of their own family treated many such Muslims cruelly.

Abu Taalib came to know of this plan. In order to save the Holy Prophet from any maltreatment, he called upon Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib clans of the Quraish tribe and per- suaded them to resolve that they would safeguard Muhammad saw in every way.

All agreed with the exception of Abu Lahab, who was a bitter enemy of Islam and was determined to stop its message. The Holy Prophet was thus protected to a large degree by the guarantee of Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib.

The hostile clans of the Quraish tribe knew that they could not harm the Holy Prophets as long as he enjoyed the pro- tection of Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib. As they failed to achieve their purpose, they were frustrated. They resolved that a complete boycott of Muhammad saw and his followers should be enforced. They included Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib clans in the ban as they had provided a guarantee of protection to the Holy Prophet An agreement was written. The chiefs of Quraish and Banu Kanaanah tribes put their signatures to it and it was hung on one of the walls of the Ka'bah. According to the agreement any contact with the Muslims and those who sided with them was totally forbidden. No provisions were sold to them. The ban was enforced rigorously.

Moreover inter-marriages between Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib with the rest of the Quraish tribes were prohibited. The Makkans said that they would lift the ban only when those two clans denounce the Holy Prophets and hand him over to them.

In pursuance of this agreement, the Holy Prophets along with a small band of Muslims together with the people of Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib, with the exception of Abu Lahab and his family, were compelled to retire to a narrow valley called Shi'b Abi Taalib. This was a small enclosure that belonged to Abu Taalib. The supply of food and all other necessities of life were cut off.

The boycott imposed terrible sufferings upon the besieged, particularly the women, children and the old people. Even when the foreign merchants came to Makkah with their commodities, Quraish would not allow them to sell anything to the besieged. The cries of hungry children were audible outside. Many a time these people were forced to feed themselves on the leaves of thorny bushes, which were growing in the valley.

Many hearts were moved at the sight of such hardships and they tried to supply food to their relatives in spite of the threats. Sometimes they succeeded but most often they failed miserably.

It is related that once Hakeem bin Hizaam, grandson of Khuwailid, carried some provisions to deliver to his aunt Khadijah", but he was spotted by Abu Jahl, who blocked his way. There was a brief scuffle but Abu Jahl did not allow him to go further so Hakeem returned heavy hearted.

The blockade went on for about three years. As a result the health of Hazrat Khadijah" and many other notables deteriorated. One day the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to his uncle Abu Taalib that God had revealed to him that the document written by the Quraish leaders against them had been eaten into by worms. He told him that all writing except the name of Allah had been badly damaged.

Abu Taalib went to the Ka'bah and addressed the people belonging to the Quraish tribe who happened to be there and said to them, 'How long would you continue to conform to the condi- tions of your brutal agreement. My nephew had told me that God had destroyed the whole of the document except His own name. Let us examine the document and find out whether my nephew is right. Someone brought the document and they found that with the exception of the name of God with which it began, the worms had damaged the rest of the writing.

Observing this, five chiefs of the Quraish tribe, namely Hishaam bin 'Amr, Zaheer bin Abu Umayyah, Mut'am bin 'Adi, Abul Bakhtaari and Zam'ah bin Aswad, felt that this agreement should be terminated. They went to other Quraish chiefs. One of these five said to them, 'Do you consider it right that you should pass your days in comfort while your brethren are forced to live in misery and distress. This pact is cruel so it should be done away with.

All of them agreed to put an end to the boycott. Abu Jahl, however, protested. He said, "This pact will continue and no one can terminate it.'

Addressing Abu Jahl, one of them said, 'This agreement is not binding any more. Even when it was written, we did not agree to it.'

While this heated discussion was going on, Mut'am bin 'Adi seized the document and tore it to pieces. Thereafter he, along with other chiefs, proceeded to the Shi'b Abi Taalib with drawn swords and told the besieged that the boycott was over and that they could return to their homes.