Introduction
Undoubtedly, Hazrat Abu Lahab and Khadija (RA) played a major role before and after revelation in the life of the Prophet (PBUH). He was an uncle to the prophet, a father to Ali (RA) and a son to Abdul Mutallab and Fatima bint amru. Abu talib’s other name was Abdul Munaf and he was 30 years old when the Prophet (pbuh) was born. When Abdul mutalllab was on his death bed, he whispered in Abu talib’s ear and said his grandson will be a prophet and so
Abu talib should grant him full support. When I hear Abu Talib, the word ‘protection ‘comes to my mind because of the tantamount protection he offered the Prophet. Abu Talib served as an external source of protection to the Prophet.
Khadija was the Prophets first wife who was an exemplary role model in Islam. She was noble, strong, resilient and most importantly loyal to the Prophet. Her parents were Khuwaylid bin Asad and Fatima Bint Zayd. She took over her merchant skills from her father. She is special to the Prophet because she believed in him when nobody did. When I think of Khadija the word that comes to my mind is ‘internal strength’ because of the nature of faith and absolute surrender, love and care she had for the prophet.
ROLE PLAYED BY ABU TALIB AFTER THE PROPHET RECEIVED REVELATION
1. Absolute support, love and care
Despite the fact that Abu Talib was very poor, he and his wife showed nothing but absolute support, love and care to him. They treated him like their own son. After revelation Abu Jahal became a permanent source of torture and discomfort to the Prophet but his uncle was always there to shine his protection on him.
2. Absolute protection
He offered the prophet protection from the enemies by guarding him throughout the night, he shifted his bed from one angle to another to shield him away from enemies.
3. The boycott
After Hamza and Umar converted to Islam, the Makkans got provoked because the 2 men were respected in their tribes hence the growth of Islam little by little.
The Makkans offered plenty of negotiations to the prophet in which he all denied but only insisted they worship the one and only true God. Abu talib himself declined all their offers, he felt they were being so unfair to his nephew, he respected and trusted him.
The Makkans then decided to cut off all ties with the Muslims/boycott them (bani hashim and bani mutallib) of course except Abu Jahl. They prohibited all social interactions, trade, even inter marriages between them and those Muslims. So a treaty was constituted with the guidelines on the boycott which stated that the boycott will only come to an end if the prophet will be surrendered to them to be murdered.
Abu Talib was bitter and knew that he had to do something very fast before it gets any worse because those attacks on the prophet was very bad. Abu talib gathered all the Muslims to move into a valley with the means of increasing protection where they stayed for 3 years. It was a period of hardship for the Muslims. Because the makkans stopped the trading activities this resulted into extreme hunger among the Muslims, they struggled to survive by eating animal skin. Occasionally food was smuggled to them into the valley by their friends.
In the midst of all these, Abu Talib’s greatest concern was his nephew. He would trade places with him at night to confuse the attackers. The prophet did not stop from going to Kaaba to pray where his uncle showed him the uttermost support, vigilance, concern and protection
Some people in Makkah had issues with the ban and said it should be relaxed and Abu Talib over heard them and said ‘the agreement in the Ka'bah had been partially destroyed by ants leaving only the name of Allah’. He said the Prophet made that statement and he does not tell a lie, he was fully convinced that it was true that he agreed to trade in the prophet for death in case it isn’t true. The Makkans went and saw that it was true and so the boycott ended.
4. Denied negotiation
His uncle was bold enough to deny all the negotiations offered in the place of his nephew even though he did not want to leave the religion of his forefathers, he still strongly believed in him.
5. Loyalty at time of death
Abu talib was loyal up to the time of his death. The makkans were happy when he got ill and started renegotiating with him on the prophet but he still instructed them to obey the prophet at all costs. He said
“I command you to be good to Muhammad. He is the most trustworthy of the Quraysh and the most truthful of the Arabs. He brought a Message which is accepted by the heart and denied by the tongue for fear of hostility. By God, whoever walks in the way of Muhammad shall be on the right road and whoever follows his guidance shall have a joyous future.” (Ref: balughul Adaab, v 1 p 327)
ROLE PLAYED BY SAYYIDA KHADIJA AFTER REVELATION
1. Patience and support:
A typical wife of nowadays will not succumb to her husband going over to some cave for worship but Khadija rendered him an unending support where she used to go up there to give him food and drink. She was able to see the bigger picture of the situation and not complain for her own selfish interest. She supported and allowed him to connect day by day with his lord.
2. Believed in the prophet
Human beings need partners that will show complete faith, belief and trust in them. No matter how things get, you know you have that special someone that will serve as a source of security, someone to pull you back up when you are down, to encourage you, advice you especially in times of fear and despair. Khadija was that person for Prophet Mohammad. She brought out the best in him.
This bring us to this wonderful hadith one day, Jibril (as) came to the Prophet (saw) and said: “O Allah’s Messenger! This is Khadijah, coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (Allah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a palace made of Qasab in Paradise, wherein there will be neither any noise nor any toil, (fatigue, trouble, etc.).” [Al-Bukhari].
3. Sacrificed her wealth
What is the purpose of wealth if it won’t be spent in the cause of Allah? Khadija shared her wealth with her beloved husband and used all of it in the cause of Islam. In spite of all the economic and social hardship during the boycott, severe hardship with no sufficient food but she still exhibited sabr. In return the prophet showed great appreciation to her so they sort of complimented each other.
4. When Jibreel came:
When the prophet received his first revelation in the cave he ran than to his wife shivering and asked her to cover him and she consoled him and confirmed that he had indeed become a prophet by sending him to her cousin. She then converted to Islam making her the first person ever. She gave him emotional support.
5. Encouragement:
When there was a pause during the revelation period, the prophet was worried but his wife told him that God can never forsake him. She expressed confidence in him by stating how nice he is, how he feeds the poor, treats the orphans and revives a better moral society. This renewed his purpose, cleared his thoughts and gave him inner peace.
The first few days and months after the initial Revelation were full of wonder and awe for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). Eyes sparkling, hearts filled with faith, Khadijah and Muhammad (PBUH) woke up every morning with renewed purpose, a sense of clarity and inner peace.
Conclusion
It makes complete sense why the period of both their deaths will be referred to as the ‘year of grief’ because of the unending support they showed the prophet. What is fascinating about the relationship between Abu Talib and his Nephew is; he himself he wasn’t ready to give up the religion of his forefathers but he still gave the prophet all the necessary support, devotion and care because of the magnitude of love he had for him. Despite all the stringent social and economic conditions posed by the Makkans he still showed full love and devotion towards the prophet.
For a quarter of a century, Khadija served as an internal source of comfort for the prophet. She made him believe that people will eventually accept Islam. She was willing to do anything to serve as the best companion and helper to the prophet so that was why her death took a toll on him. She is a role model in Islam because her life was devoted to the service of Islam. May Allah continue to shower his blessings on them. Amin
Bibliography
1. Hazrat Sayyedah Khadijah(May Allah be pleased with her) by Rashid Ahmad Chaudhry. Islam International Publications LTD.
Author: Rashid Ahmad Chaudhry
Illustrations: Ambreen Ahmad & others
First published in UK, 2002 (ISBN: 1 85372 739 3)
Reprinted in the UK, 2007
Reprinted in India, 2009
Present edition published in the UK, 2016
© Islam International Publications Ltd.
Published by
Islam International Publications Ltd.
(Additional Wakalat-e-Tasneef )
Islamabad, Sheephatch Lane
Tilford, Surrey GU10 2AQ, Uk
2. Islam.org and The Ahlul Bayt DILP
The Prophet and Ali. © Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project 1995-2019
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