Mothers of Believers (Ummahatul Mu’mineen)

There are many verses and Ahadith which explain the excellences and virtues of the Mothers of Believers Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhum. Allah Ta’ala states,
“wives of the prophet’ you are not like other women if you fear Allah, therefore be not so polite in your speech lest one in whose heart is a disease should feel tempted, yes, speak good words.” (Surah Ahzab Verse 32)

At another point, Allah Ta’ala states,
“This prophet is the owner of the Muslims even more than their own selves and his wives are their mothers.…” (Surah Ahzab Verse 6)

It is a unanimously agreed fact that the blessed wives of Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam are like our actual Mothers in two ways. The first is that no one is ever allowed to marry them, and the second is that they must be respected and revered as a real mother; rather they should be respected and revered more than our own mothers.
However, in terms of meeting and communicating with them, they are not like our own mothers because Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an,
“…And when you ask them anything of use, ask it of them from behind a curtain…” (Surah Ahzab Verse 53)

Muslims can look at their own mothers and can also be alone with them and talk to them. However, it is necessary for all Muslim men to veil themselves from the blessed wives of Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam and to meet and sit with them alone is prohibited.

Mother of Believers Hazrat Khadija-tul Kubra Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha

Hazrat Khadija-tul Kubra Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha was the first wife of Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam . Her father’s name was Khuwaylid bin As and her mother’s name was Fatimah bint Zaaidah. Her family was a very respected and wealthy family amongst the tribe of Quraish. The people of Makkah used to refer to her as ‘Taahirah’ (Pure One) on account of her chastity and piety. Upon seeing the manners, morals, beautiful looks and exalted character of Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam , she herself proposed marriage to Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam and thereafter, a formal marriage ceremony took place.

Accepting Islam

‘Allama Ibn Aseer and Imam Dhahbi state that it is the unanimous verdict and belief of the whole nation that she was the first person to accept and believe in Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam . In the early days of Islam, when the storm of opposition and resistance was all around them, she was the one who was a true companion and life partner and was the means of comfort and solace for Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam

Her Excellence in Ahadith

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Hazrat Jibra’eel ‘Alaihis Salaam came to Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam and said, “Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam, Khadijah is coming towards you with a pot in which there is food. When she arrives, give her greetings from her Lord and from me. Tell her there is a palace of pearls built for her in Paradise in which there will be neither noise nor any difficulty.” (Bukhari Shareef)

Similarly, in another narration, it is reported that one time, Hazrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha heard Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam praising Hazrat Khadijah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha greatly. Upon hearing the great praise being bestowed on Hazrat Khadijah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha, Hazrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha was filled with envy and said, “Allah Ta’ala has now granted you a better wife than her.” Upon hearing this, Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “No! By Allah I have not found a better wife than Khadijah. When all people were rejecting me, she testified on my behalf, and when no one was willing to give me anything, she gave me everything she had, and Allah Ta’ala granted me children through her.” (Seerat ul Mustafa (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam

Imam Tibrani has quoted a Hadith narrated by Hazrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha in which she states that Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam fed Hazrat Khadijah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha grapes from Paradise in this world. (Seerat ul Mustafa (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam

Passing Away

Hazrat Khadijah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha was blessed with serving Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam for 25 years. Three years before the migration to Madinah, she passed away in Makkah at the age of 65 years in the month of Ramadhan ul Mubarak. Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam lowered her into her grave himself in the famous cemetery of Makkah, Jannatul Ma’ala, and buried her with his own blessed hands. Due to the fact that the funeral prayer had not yet been ordained, Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam did not perform any funeral prayer for her. She passed away on the 10th of Ramadhan ul Mubarak. On this day, organise gatherings for her remembrance and present the rewards of such gatherings to her blessed soul.