Khadijah (peace be upon her), the noble wife of the Seal of Prophets, passed away in the city of Makkah three years before the Prophet’s migration to Medina, in the month of Ramadan of the tenth year of Ba’thah. She was laid to rest in the al-Hajun district of Makkah. Some sources also mention that her passing occurred three days after the demise of Abi Talib.
Who Was This History-Making Woman?
Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid, known as Khadijah al-Kubra (peace be upon her) and Umm al-Muminin (Mother of the Believers), was the first wife of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and the mother of Lady Fatima (peace be upon her). She married the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) before his mission began and was the first woman to believe in him.
Khadijah (peace be upon her) spent all her wealth in the path of spreading Islam. Out of respect for her, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) did not take another wife during her lifetime, and after her passing, he always remembered her with immense love and respect.
Lady Khadijah in the Words of the Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him)
After the passing of Lady Khadijah (peace be upon her), Imam Ali (peace be upon him) would remember and honor her name on every occasion. One day, referring to the Final Prophet’s defense of Lady Khadijah, he said:
“One day, while the Messenger of God was among his wives, he remembered Khadijah and wept over her loss. Aisha said: ‘Do you weep for an old red-faced woman from the tribe of Bani Asad?’
The Messenger of God replied: ‘[Who can ever take Khadijah’s place?] She believed in me when you denied me. She testified to my truth when you were in disbelief, and she bore me children when you were barren.’ Aisha said: ‘From then on, I always tried to draw closer to the Prophet by mentioning the virtues of Khadijah.'”
Kindness Toward Imam Ali (peace be upon him)
When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) married Khadijah (peace be upon her), she was exceptionally kind to the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon ), who was then a child. Lady Khadijah would always groom him, adorn him, dress him, and send him out with her maids, while her servants would carry him in their arms.
People used to say: ‘This is the brother of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), the most beloved of God’s creation to him, and the light of Khadijah’s eyes; one in whom all happiness is gathered.’ Khadijah’s favors flowed toward the house of Abu Talib day and night, morning and evening.”
The Hadith of Miraj and Faith in religious leadership
In the Hadith of Mi’raj (Ascension), it is narrated that the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) was commanded to ask previous prophets about the basis of their missions. They replied that they were sent based on testifying to Monotheism (Tawhid), the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), and the Wilayah (religious leadership) of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) narrated this to the people, but the Quraysh and their rebels denied him. However, the believers confirmed his words, foremost among them being Lady Khadijah (peace be upon her). This indicates that she had accepted the Wilayah of Imam Ali (peace be upon him).
Pledging Allegiance to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him)
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Khadijah believed in me when people disbelieved, and she confirmed me when others denied me.” Therefore, she was among the believing women who held faith in the Wilayah of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) and pledged allegiance to the Prophet regarding his Wilayah. There is no doubt that Umm al-Muminin Khadijah (peace be upon her) was among those who acknowledged his Imamate and Wilayah.
Acceptance of Wilayah
It is narrated from Musa ibn Jafar (peace be upon him) that said: “I asked my father, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), about the beginning of Islam and how the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) and Khadijah (peace be upon her) embraced Islam.”
Musa ibn Ja’far (peace be upon him) replied: “O Isa, do you seek the core of knowledge and the origin of truth? By God, your question stems from understanding and wisdom.
When Lady Khadijah (peace be upon her) embraced Islam, the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) said to her:
“‘…O Khadijah, by the Lord of the Kaaba, you have been guided; you have chosen the path of truth and have succeeded. May God lead you further upon the straight path. O Khadijah, place your hand in the hand of Ali (peace be upon him) and pledge your allegiance to him.’ Khadijah pledged her allegiance to Ali (peace be upon him) in the same manner that the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) had pledged his to the Final Prophet, with the sole distinction that Jihad was not mandatory for her.
Then the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: ‘O Khadijah, know that Ali is your leader (Mawla), the master of the believers, and the Imam after me.’ Khadijah replied: ‘O Prophet of God, you have surely spoken the truth. I have pledged my allegiance to him based on what you have said, and I take God and you as witnesses to this covenant; and truly, God is the Best of Witnesses.’(6)
By the Bedside of Khadijah al-Kubra
Lady Khadijah (peace be upon her) fell ill three years before the Hijrah(7). The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) visited her during her illness and said: ‘O Khadijah, do you know that God has joined us as husband and wife in Paradise as well?’ He then comforted her, gave her the glad tidings of Heaven, and described the lofty stations of Paradise in appreciation of her lifelong services.(8)
Three Wills to the Final Prophet
When Lady Khadijah’s illness grew severe, she said to the Messenger of God:
‘O Messenger of God, I have a few final wishes. First, I may have fallen short in my duties toward you; please forgive me.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) replied: ‘I never saw any shortcoming from you; you exerted your utmost effort. you endured great toil in my home and spent your wealth entirely in the way of God.’
She continued: ‘O Messenger of God, my second wish is that you look after this daughter,’ pointing to Lady Fatima (peace be upon her). ‘For she will be an orphan and alone after me. Let no woman of the Quraysh harm her. Let no one strike her face. Let no one shout at her, and let no one treat her harshly.’
‘But as for the third wish, I am too shy to tell you directly. I will tell it to Fatima so she may relay it to you.’ She then called Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) and said: ‘Light of my eyes! Tell your father that your mother says: I am terrified of the loneliness and terror of the grave; I beseech you to shroud me in the cloak you wore during the descent of revelation.’
Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) relayed the message, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent that garment to Khadijah (peace be upon her), which brought her immense joy.
A Shroud from Paradise
Upon her passing, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) took charge of her washing and shrouding. Suddenly, Gabriel descended with a shroud from Paradise and said: ‘O Messenger of God, the Almighty sends His greetings and says: She spent her wealth in Our way, and We are more worthy of providing her shroud.’
The Prophet (peace be upon him) then washed and perfumed her, and shrouded her with the cloth brought from the Heavens. He personally entered the grave, laid her body to rest, and set the tomb stones. He wept for her, prayed for her, and sought God’s forgiveness for her. Her resting place is in the al-Hajun cemetery in Makkah(11).
The Elegy of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) for Lady Khadijah
O my two eyes, be generous with tears, may God bless you both,
Over two departed ones whose like shall never be seen again.
Over the Master of the Valley [Abu Talib] and the son of its chief,
And the Leader of Women, the first to ever offer prayer.
A refined lady whose dwelling God has made pure,
A blessed one to whom God granted every virtue.
And guided to the path of virtues and piety(12).
