*READING TIME..*
ARTICLE-35
*DURING THIS QUARANTINE TIME,*
*LETS STAY HOME AND BE SAFE AND DO SOME QUALITY READING TO INCREASE OUR KNOWLEDGE….*
THE *WHEAT* SENT TO *KHADIJA(R.A)*
IN *SHU ‘AB ABI TALIB*
When the emergence of Islam was taking its toll, the Quraish of Makkah started to discuss their future course of actions against Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam, and this was the idea of boycotting or to pressurize Banu Hashim and Banu Muttalib [the two clans that pledged to protect Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam].
Now in this event, the beautiful character of Khadijah Radiyallahu Anha, the wife of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam emerged in a higher notice.
Indeed, this was probably the most difficult phase in her life, because we all know that Khadijah Radiyallahu Anha lived in affluence since her childhood, her father was rich and so were the two husbands she had before the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam.
So at this verge, she was forced to leave the comfort of her home to accompany and support her husband for a period of three long years.
Indeed, Khadijah Radiyallahu Anhu was not called Sayyidat nisa [chief Quraishi woman] if not for her way of giving and lending for those traders and also by giving goods to them.
She was ever helpful and generous, her character was so defined, that even though her close relatives have not embraced Islam at that crucial time, they helped Khadijah even if it was to risk their reputation or their safety, and this was not only because of their kinship with her but because of the nature of this 65 year old woman towards every Makkan.
A beautiful instance that happened during this boycott was that of Hakim Ibn Hazzam Ibn Khuwaylid, the nephew of Khadijah Radiyallahu Anhu, Abu Al Bakhtari Ibn Hisham, one of the tribal leaders of Makkah and Abu Jahl.
Despite the boycott, Hakim would still send food to his aunt in Shu’ab Abi Talib. Once he sent his slave to deliver some wheat to Khadijah Radiyallahu Anha and Abu Jahl learned about this and immediately went out to seize the slave.
When he intercepted the slave, he shouted at him and threatened to humiliate him if he carried any grain to Banu Hashim and at this moment, Abu Al Bakhtari passed by so Abu Jahl shouted to him “This slave of Hakim is carrying grain to Muhammad, and I shall not let him.”
Abu Al Bakhtari replied, “Abu Al Hakam! Hakim possessed some of his aunt’s wheat, which she would have asked him to deliver. It is okay. Let him go!”
But Abu Jahl remained adamant that the wouldn’t let the slave deliver so Abu Al Bakhtari said “Let him go. A person wants to return what he owes to his starving aunt, but your hardheartedness would not allow this!”
Abu Jahl was so angry by this to the point that harsh words were exchanged until they attacked each other physically.
Abu Al Bakhtari pulled down Abu Jahl’s camel, knocked him off his saddle and hit him in the head with a camel bone. Abu Jahl started bleeding, but Abu Al Bakhtari continued to beat and berate him.
In the end, Abu Jahl could neither protect himself from Abu Al Bakhtari nor stop Hakim’s slave from delivering grain to Khadijah Radiyallahu Anha.
And guess what, the most embarrassing part of all this was that Hamzah Ibn Abdul Muttalib, the lion of Allah, the uncle of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam witnessed everything from a hilltop in Shu’ab Abi Talib.
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Indeed, this instance would not only define the character of Khadijah but also states that when a person is blessed with such beautiful character even if there are things that has discrepancies, it will always be their character that will count to whether they would be helped or denied.
At this point, Khadijah Radiyallahu Anhu did not ask for food but because of her character and the way she was with her family and those Makkans, they would help her just to return back a little of the favors she did for them.
This is but a glimpse of the beautiful character of Khadijah Radiyallahu Anhu, if there was a girl who launched a thousand ships to war then Khadijah was a woman who lived amongst the hearts of every person who knew her, that made them, despite all of them risking their lives, would go just so they can help her.
She was 65 years old, but her beautiful character never faded. Subhan’Allah.
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And we pray that this instance and this story of Khadijah’s Radiyallahu Anha character would inspire each of us, to ponder about how we are with other people, how are we representing the words of Allah Azza Wa Jall and how are we on delivering His Message to the people.
May Allah Azza Wa Jall help and guide us always.
Aameen
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Stories were taken from:
• Ibn Hisham, Al Sirah, 1:354
• Ibn Ishaq, Kitab al Siyar wa al Maghazi, 1:202
• Ibn Sa’d, at-Tabaqat, 1:209
Note: ‘Amr Ibn Hisham was originally called Abu Al Hakam in Makkah but the Muslims started calling him Abu Jahl because of his hostility towards Islam