Did you know that between the years 2020 and 2021, 13,925 people took shahadāh? Improving dawah helps nurture new and old Muslims alike. What better way to do that than to get inspired by Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها, one of the best women to walk this earth?
How can increasing your knowledge of Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها improve your dawah game? Let’s find out.
We will explain 4 ways you can draw inspiration from the life of Sayyīdah Khadījah, may God be pleased with her:-
Khadījah رضي الله عنها set an example of refined character around a sea of people acting anything but principled.
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها was also known for her elevated speech so much so that the women who spent time in her personal company avoided gossip and foul words. Before Islam, Khadījah رضي الله عنها used to make ṭawāf around the kabah. The women of the area who joined her only talked about noble topics in her presence. Additionally, those close to her sought enlightenment through online Sunni Islamic courses. “The Mother of the Faithful Khadījah Bint Khuwaylid (رضي الله عنها).” 2020. Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation. March 16, 2020. https://al-furqan.com/the-mother-of-the-faithful-khadijah-bint-khuwaylid/.
Khadījah رضي الله عنها was a woman everyone could learn from. Her words and actions shined as a beacon in a dark night.
Here’s how you can apply the wisdom of Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها to be a role model in your dawah:
Read More: islamic studies for women
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها looked at the hearts of people, not at their material possessions. She had basīrah, or inner understanding of the spiritual reality of Allah’s creation.
Khadījah رضي الله عنها displayed her spiritual insight in the special feelings she had about the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Khadījah رضي الله عنها was a wealthy business woman who was experienced with life. She was older than Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. She was previously married. She also had a daughter and a son from her previous marriages. Khadījah رضي الله عنها was not the type of woman who was swayed by romantic language. “Part 2/8 – Seerah of Sayyidah Khadijah by Shaykh Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMK5QbCcLa4&t=381s. Time Stamp:(6:01-6:20) She had no material reason to be interested in marriage with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. And, yet, still, her heart was drawn to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ simply because she was impressed by his righteous attitude and good actions.
Khadījah رضي الله عنها approached the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ through her friend Nafīsah to propose marriage. After Nafīsah spoke to the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, he accepted the proposal.
Khadījah رضي الله عنها then said to Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ:
Isn’t this remarkable? A woman who had it all wanted to marry a man who had nothing materially, but everything spiritually. Khadījah رضي الله عنها knew what was actually important in this dunyā: acting for the ākhirah. She fled to the ākhirah by proposing marriage to Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ—perhaps performing one of the grandest of actions: planting a seed for dawah before Islam was even revealed. It’s fascinating how she understood the significance of spiritual wealth over material possessions, emphasizing the importance of acting for the ākhirah. She might have even been among the first to advocate for Islam, laying the groundwork for spreading knowledge even before it became widely accessible we can know more through study fiqh online.
She planted the seed of standing by the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ for years to come, advocating for Islam. She supported him with her money, social status, and most importantly, her heart and soul you can find out more through female islamic courses and Islamic courses for women.
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Here’s how you can increase in spiritual insight to make smart dawah decisions like Khadījah رضي الله عنها:
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها was a source of physical and emotional support for her community, family, and husband.
There were times that Jibrīl عليه السلام brought revelations to Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ in Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها ’s house. “The Mother of the Faithful Khadījah Bint Khuwaylid (رضي الله عنها).” 2020. Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation. March 16, 2020. https://al-furqan.com/the-mother-of-the-faithful-khadijah-bint-khuwaylid/. People would gather at her home, in addition to Dār al ‘Arqam, to hear the Qur‘an recited from the blessed Messenger ﷺ .
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها was supportive of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ going to Mount Hira to reflect and contemplate. She knew how much it made him happy. “Part 5/8 – Seerah of Sayyidah Khadijah by Shaykh Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtxMwecGTRw.Time Stamp:(7:10-7:30) Khadījah رضي الله عنها would bring Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ food or whatever else he needed while at Mount Hira. Khadījah رضي الله عنها cared so much for Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ that she sent guards to him while he was at Mount Hira, to keep an eye on him from a distance to make sure he was okay. “Part 5/8 – Seerah of Sayyidah Khadijah by Shaykh Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtxMwecGTRw. Time Stamp: 7:31-7:50.
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها was one of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ ’s largest sources of emotional comfort. Khadījah رضي الله عنها was present when the Prophet ﷺ came home from Mount Hira after hearing the first revelation Jibrīl عليه السلام brought from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
“Cover me, cover me” “Sahih Al-Bukhari 3 – Revelation – كتاب بدء الوحى – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم).” n.d. Sunnah.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3. were his ﷺ’s words. Khadījah رضي الله عنها covered Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ until he was calmed. In her arms, he ﷺ found peace.
Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said: “ I was given the rizq of loving Khadījah.” “Principles of a Successful Society Part 4 | Shaykh Muhammad Bin Yahya al Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gRnCM8OpU. Time Stamp: 31:23-31:29.
In addition to looking after her husband and community, Khadījah رضي الله عنها also developed bonds among all of her children: Zainab رضي الله عنها, Ruqayya رضي الله عنها, Umm Kulthum رضي الله عنها , and Fatimah رضي الله عنها. Khadījah رضي الله عنها took Alī رضي الله عنه in with her husband ﷺ and raised him as one of her own. Tabaa’, Asma. n.d. Stars in the Prophet’s Orbit. Translated by Sawsan Tarabishy. Accessed August 26, 2022. https://daybreak.rabata.org/products/soft-cover-stars-in-the-prophets-orbit. Page 12. Zaid B. Harithā رضي الله عنه was Khadījah رضي الله عنها’s servant that she gifted to Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. He ﷺ freed and adopted Zaid B. Harithā رضي الله عنه, who also lived in harmony in Khadījah رضي الله عنها ’s house.
Here are some ways that you can become more supportive like Khadījah رضي الله عنها in your dawah efforts:
Even before marrying Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ , the people of Mecca were well aware of Khadījah رضي الله عنها ’s generosity. Her house was often full of visitors. Khadījah رضي الله عنها was known to be very generous to the people who were visiting her house.
She was an extremely wealthy woman. In today’s terms, her wealth was around the billion dollar range. “Part 1/8 – Seerah of Sayyidah Khadijah by Shaykh Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn0UMCETdzY. Time Stamp: 6:11-6:17 After marrying the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها had a hill of wealth that she told him ﷺ to use as he saw fit for his cause and needs. “Part 1/8 – Seerah of Sayyidah Khadijah by Shaykh Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn0UMCETdzY. Time Stamp:6:26-6:48
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها was detached from the dunya for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
During the boycott of the Muslims in Makkah, Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها gave from her wealth to the point that she became physically weak.
“It was a horrible and deadly siege. The supply of food was almost stopped and people in confinement faced great hardships…they had to eat leaves and skins of animals. Cries of little children suffering from hunger used to be heard clearly…During “the prohibited months”— when hostilities traditionally ceased, they would leave their confinement and buy food coming from outside Makkah. Even then the food stuff was unjustly overpriced so that their financial situation would fall short of finding access to it.” Meraj Mohiuddin. 2015. Revelation : The Story of Muhammad. Scottsdale, Az: Whiteboard Press. Page 148.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى allowed Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها ’s wealth to provide for the Muslims who were suffering because they didn’t have access to basic needs. Think water, food, and shelter.
Toward the end of the boycott, Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها died.
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها died while sacrificing all of her wealth in Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى path.
Angel Jibrīl عليه السلام told Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى sent greetings of peace to Khadījah رضي الله عنها as news of her place in paradise:
Abu Huraira reported: The Angel Jibrīl came to the Prophet ﷺ , and he said, “O Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, here is Khadijah coming to you with a dish of stew, food and drink. When she arrives before you, greet her with peace on behalf of her Lord and myself. Give her glad tidings of a palace in Paradise made of reeds, wherein there will be no turbulence, nor fatigue.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3610, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2432 Elias, Abu Amina. 2012. “Hadith on Khadijah: Gabriel Give Glad Tidings of Paradise to Khadijah.” October 5, 2012. https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2012/10/05/jibreel-jannah-khadijah/.
Here are some ways you can sacrifice for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى like Khadījah رضي الله عنها when you give dawah:
Khadījah رضي الله عنها is one of the reasons we are able to enjoy practicing Islam today. “Principles of a Successful Society Part 4 | Shaykh Muhammad Bin Yahya al Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gRnCM8OpU Timestamp: 27:56-28:00 Khadījah رضي الله عنها knew as a business person, and as a member of the Quraysh, what Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ ’s preaching to Mecca would mean.“Principles of a Successful Society Part 4 | Shaykh Muhammad Bin Yahya al Ninowy.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gRnCM8OpU Timestamp: 28:51-29:20 It meant losing money, families being split apart, and quarreling.
Still, her response to Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ when he ﷺ told her about Jibrīl عليه السلام bringing the revelation was:
“Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously, and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge in fulfilling these duties.” “Sahih Al-Bukhari 3 – Revelation – كتاب بدء الوحى – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم).” n.d. Sunnah.com. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3.
What kind of deep faith did Khadījah رضي الله عنها have in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to respond with such passion and firmness?
The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said that Khadījah رضي الله عنها was the best of the women of her time:
`Abdullah b. Ja`far رضي الله عنه reported that he heard `Ali رضي الله عنه say in Kufa that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
The best of the women of her time was Mary, daughter of `Imran, and the best of the women of her time was Sayyīdah Khadījah ‘s Life, daughter of Khuwailid. Abu Kuraib said that Waki` pointed towards the sky and the earth. “Sahih Al-Bukhari 3432 – Prophets – كتاب أحاديث الأنبياء – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم).” n.d. Sunnah.com. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3432.
Sayyīdah Khadījah رضي الله عنها shows that by setting a good example, having spiritual insight, being supportive, and sacrificing for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى can make one person the reason everyone else gets to enjoy Islam tomorrow.
May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى make us one of those people.
