Be like Khadija (RA)

THE REALITY OF KHADIJAH RA Have you come across this quote? "Don't call Muslim women who have career goals or high standards "modern Muslims". There's nothing modern about female empowerment in Islam. Muslim women are given an extremely high status in Islam from when it was revealed. We learn from when we're young that Khadijah, the prophet Muhammad's wife, was so strong, beautiful, and independent. She took care of an entire business on her own, she rejected men who asked for her because they didn't meet her standards, she chose who she wanted to marry and he was younger than her. So if you think that Muslim women who make decisions for themselves are following some modern version of Islam you're absolutely wrong. Nobody "saved me", it's been this way all along." - Sumaiya Awad #OnPoint #womenempowerment. I have seen so many women posting this quote painting Khadijah RA as a poster girl for Islamic feminism (there's no such thing, Muslim women didn't have to fight for rights, Allah gave us our Rights) I feel like the essence of who our Mother Khadijah was is being misconstrued in this quote in a really ignorant manner. It focuses on one aspect that's been manipulated to prove a point and justify an agenda. SO WHO WAS KHADIJAH RA? She was a princess of the Quraysh. It is reported that her wealth was equal to a third of the wealth of the Quraysh put together. She inherited this thriving business from her father. Before her marriage to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم Khadijah RA was a single mother. She put her duties as a mother over and above her business. She would hire agents who would trade on her behalf and they would be given a commission. She remained at home to raise her children. Let this hadith paint the picture.... In his Sahih, Al-Bukhaari said, “Qutaibah ibn Sa’eed narrated to us [saying]: Muhammad ibn Fudail narrated to us from Ummarah from Abu Zur’ah from Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that he said, “Jibreel came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! 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 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.’” [Bukhaari, no. 3820 and Muslim, no. 2432]. Subhan Allah! We know she WAS extremely wealthy and that she had servants, yet here is shows that chose to serve her husband with her own hands. She was bringing the food to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم We know that Khadijah RA was around 40 years old when she married Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم she then bore his blessed children. She was not young and energetic yet she was a hands on mother. We know this from the  hadith. All mothers know that children are hard work, they are also extremely noisy. This can be quite overwhelming for anyone and much more difficult for an older woman. The fact that Allah ta ala mentions this shows that He acknowledges the challenges she is going through in her home and promises a home in which these challenges will no longer exist. We know As mothers, just having a quiet afternoon off without having to see to the needs of the children is heaven in itself! This hadith proves beyond a shadow of doubt that Khadijah RA had dedicated her life to serving her husband and seeing to the needs of her children herself! The business was not her primary concern. She chose to be a hands on wife and mum. This was a worthy trade off, it earned her the Salam of Allah, The Lord of The Universe! This is also a message to mothers who feel overwhelmed in raising their families. Allah is Al Lateef, he is subtly aware. Allah knows when you feel overwhelmed. He knows just how difficult it is. He has promised a great reward! Painting Khadijah RA as a corporate ceo is an insult to her legacy. In a society where she could be anything, she CHOSE to be a loving wife and mother. Nabi saw said, I was NOURISHED by her love! She left such an impact on Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم that years later he would become emotional at her memory. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said. “She had faith in me when people rejected me. She believed in me when the people disbelieved me. She supported me with her wealth when the people prevented me. And Allāh blessed me with children through her and not through any other wife. Musnad imam Ahmed Her sacrifices have earned her the status of being one of the Greatest women in history. “The best of the women of Paradise are Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Aasiyah bint Mazahim the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam bint ‘Imran” Musnad imam Ahmed THIS IS THE REALITY OF OUR LEGENDARY MOTHER. THE WAY SHE WAS DESCRIBED BY THE ONE WHO WAS CLOSEST TO HER. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم himself! Thr next time you see someone twisting the memory of our mother Khadijah, let them know just how misinformed they are! May Allah grant us understanding and allow us to walk in the footsteps of true greatness.