A DEBATING ABOUT KHADIJAH (A)
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• They lived far apart on the foothills of a mountain for months. While nobody knew why?
• Islam and Muslims were concealed in the first years after Bi’thah.
• After public announcement of Islam, Muslims were tormented and tortured by pagans of Mecca.
• Three years of banishment and blockade in Sheb Abi Talib was very hard and intolerable. Khadija (A) was very patient and forbore everything to comfort the prophet (S).
• Her two sons died one after another while she was waiting for them for years. But she was very patient and said nothing to annoy the prophet (S).
• In the Fifth year of Bi’thah, when she wanted to give birth to her child Fatima Zahra (A), she was alone at home. The women in Mecca had told her that they wouldn't help her at all. They send a message for her, “We are in opposition with you, we won't come to your home and won’t help you in anything.” Nobody went to see her and greet her.
Khadija (A) was very patient during the whole time of her hard life. She never said anything to annoy the prophet (S), she never complained to anyone.
Fatima's (A) Birth
B: Won’t you talk about Fatima's (A) birth?
P: Yes, we will. It is related to the hard life of Khadija (A).
B: I have some questions about her birth date. will you please explain it first?
P: It is very normal to have different narrations about the historical events and about the birth and death of
great people. Including the birth date of Hazrat Zahra (A).
The reason is that people didn't care about the source books and accurate dates.
So many books and sources were disappeared.
There are three narrations for her birth:
• 20th of Jamadiol Akhar, 2 years before Bi’thah.
• 10th of Jamediol Akhar, 5 years after Bi’thah
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• 20th of Jamadiol Akhar, 2 years after Bi’thah
A: I don’t know these. But my mind tells something.
P: When there is no right narration “Nas”, mind can be a good source.
B: We don't have any clear “Nas” for it.
P: Yes, you are right. So we should search for it.
A: Can mind help?
P: Yes, Three dates are said:
• First narration; 20th of Jamadiol Akhar 5 years before Bi’thah. It is said in Shia's sources like Mesbahol Motahajed.256
A: Sonis say before Bi’thah too?
P: Ibn Sad accepts Vaghedi's narration and says: “Fatima was born 2 years before Bi’thah; not 5 years.”257
• Secand narration; The birth date after Bi’thah which Yaghoobi and Masoodi accept258. [They don't refer to any special year]
• Third narration; Those who say Fatima (A) was born after Bi’thah, they refer to three dates:
➢ The first year after Bi’thah: Yaghoobi259 says it.
➢ The second year after Bi’thah: Abdolah Bin Mohammad Bin Soleiman Bin Jafar Hashemi accepts what is narrated from his fathers this date. Also, Hakem, Ibn Abdol Ber.260
Some other historians narrate some other dates, but they accept this date so when Fatima (A) passed away she was 21-22 years old…
Hakem261 accepts this date narrated by Imam Sadegh (A).
256 Mesbah al-Motahajed, vol.2, p.793
257 Tabaghat al-Kobra, vol.8, p.16&26
258 Tarikh Yaghoobi, vol.2, p.20; Morooj al-Zahab, vol.2, p.291 259 Tarikh Yaghoobi, vol.2, p.115 260 Mostadrak, vol.3, p.176 261 Mostadrak, vol.3, p.178
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Shaikh Toosi who had accepted the birth before Bi’thah, says: “The birth can be in the second year of Bi’thah” in his book Mesbah al-Motajahed.
B: So which one is correct?
P: Moslem writes in his book Sahih262: “Abu jahl put the sheep's rumen on the head of prophet (S) while he was prostrating in prayers. As soon as Fatima (A) was informed about it, she quickly came and cleaned her father's face while she was a little girl, she cursed the pagans.”
This event was in 11 or 13 after Bi’thah after Abu Talib’s death. It is said that Fatima was a little girl, so it shows that her birth was after Bi’thah. But not five years after Bi’thah, but one or two years. This narration shows the birth time was between 2 or 5 years after Bi’thah. There are some weak narrations that confirm our idea.
B: So, she was 15 at the time of her marriage and 22 or 23 at the time of her martyrdom.
P: After a lot of research, I believe it is the correct time.
B: What was the story of her birth?
P: A famous narration says, In the fifth year after Bi’thah, Aishia was revealed to the prophet (S) and said: “O Mohammad! the Almighty God says hello to you and orders you not to go near Khadija (A) for forty days.” So, the prophet (S) didn’t go home for forty days.
The holy prophet (S) was fast on days and prayed at nights. One day he sent Amar to Khadija’s (A) home to tell her: “O Khadija (A)! the fact that I don't come home, is not because I am annoyed, but Allah has ordered it. I am in Fatima Bint Asad's home till God's order is finished.”263
After forty days, Aishia revealed to the prophet with some food and said: “O Mohammad! Allah Almighty says hello to you and says: “Eat this food tonight and go near Khadija (A).”
262 Sahih Moslem, vol.3, p.107
263 Al Adad al-, p.221; Ador al Nazim, p.452
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The holy prophet ate the food which was a bunch of grapes, a bunch of dates and a bowl of heavenly water. Then he went to Khadija's (A) home and Fatima’s sperm was coagulated that night.
When it was the time of the child birth, Khadija (A) was alone at home. She was very sad and worried because there was no woman to help her. She was looking at the door.
Suddenly four tall ladies entered the room. Khadija (A) got afraid. They said: “O Khadija! don't worry. We are sent from Allah, we are your sisters and we have come to help you.” Then they introduced themselves.
“I am Sarah, Ibrahim’s wife, this is Asie, Mozahem's daughter and your companion in paradise, this is Maryam, Emran's daughter, and the last one is Kolsoom, Moses Bin Emran's sister.”264
So Khadija's child was born. There was a feast in the prophet’s (S) home for poor people. The prophet (S) called her Fatima (A). He liked Fatima very much and praised her character and her virtue everywhere.
B: Doesn’t this story make Hazrat Zahra (A) away from being a pattern for others?
P: How?
B: When a person is born like this with special care, is very different from me who is born in a hospital by a male doctor. How can I compare myself with her?
P: We have some beliefs in which we have faith, for instance Mab’ath, Ghadir....
But there are some historical events which don't have anything to do with our faith.
B: Please explain a little more.
P: To know that Fatima (A) is our prophet's (S) daughter is our faith. But the time when she was born or martyred is a historical event and not important.
B. So, if I don't insist on this birth story, won't there be any problem for my religion?
P. No.
264 Makarem Akhlagh Nabi, p.119
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B: Actually, I would rather to have a normal Fatima who promotes herself for my life pattern rather than these stories which can't be discussed with others especially the Sonis.
P: We don't discuss with Sonis about these subjects .
B: When the holy Quran says: 265»«قُل م ک ثل مه ش ب ا ن ا اهنَّما “Say: I am only a mortal like you.” It is better for us to pass over these subjects.
P: Yes, it is better. But we shouldn’t deny them, because some people accept them and insist on them. But we shouldn’t discuss with others about them.
B: People tell us when there are so many differences about the birth date of Fatima (A), who narrates this story from Khadija (A)?
A: May God bless Dr.Shariati. He said: “I wanted to say Fatima is Mohammad's daughter, Ali's wife, Hasanian's mother …. I saw that Fatima is Fatima (A).”
P: Correct narrations confirm it.
A: We see that there are no words about the birth of Imam Hassan (A) and Imam Hossain (A). Why should we insist on these subjects for their mother?
P: We agreed to pass over it, but not to deny it.
Combat against Sanctions
A: There were some sanctions against them a few years after Bi’thah.
P: Yes, in the sixth year after Bi’thah, the pagans swore and signed an agreement to have some social and economic sanctions against Bani Hashim to force them to deliver the prophet (S) to them to kill him. 266
The purports of the agreement were these: They shouldn't take a wife from Bani Hashim or give them any wife, they shouldn't sell them anything or buy anything from them, they shouldn’t relate with them or talk to them.267
265 Sura Kahf, Verse 110
266 Tarikh Yaghoobi, vol.2, p.31
267 Atabaghat al-Kobra, vol.1, p.148
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These sanctions268 started in the first day of Muharram month that is the beginning of a new year269. Bani Hashim were waiting for death because of hunger270. Some of them271 specially the children died from hunger272. The children's groaning had made Bani Hashim and even the people of Mecca sad.273
Only in the time of Umrah and Hajj, Bani Hashim were permitted to trade with the merchants not from Ghoraish.274 The pagans asked the merchants to increase the prices so high that Bani Hashim wouldn’t be able to buy anything.275
The holy prophet (S), Abu Talib (A) and Khadija (A) expended large sums of money for this subject.276 The caravans that entered Mecca, didn't trade with Bani Hashim because they feared pagans.277 Sometimes Ali prepared provisions alone secretly.278
Bani Hashim were permitted to have relation with people only in the time of Umrah and Haj279. The holy prophet (S) talked with the Arab tribes during this period280;
and he invited any famous person who entered Mecca to Islam.281
A: When did the sanctions finish?
P: After four years282, that is in the tenth year of Bi’thah283, Allah Almighty sent some termites to eat the pagans written agreement284. The termites ate all the agreement except the phrase, » م الل ک “In the Name of Allah”.285 َّ«بهاسمه هُ
268 Almaghazi, vol.2, p.829; Akhbar Mecca (Azraghi), vol.2, p.234; Akhbar Mecca (Fakehi), vol.3, p.241; Ansab al- Ashraf, vol.1, p.356; Tarikh Seiasi Eslam, vol.1, p.359 269 Atabaghat al-Kobra, vol.1, p.163 270 Sharh nahj al-Balaghe, vol.13, p.254 271 Ansab al-Ashraf, vol.1, p.234 272 Azaria ela Hafeze ashria, vol.2, p.71; Some of prophet’s sons died in this period. There is no point to this reason of their death. But some signs show that their death was because of these sanctions.
273 Sire Ibn Ishagh, p.160
274 Aalam al-Vara be Aalam al-Hoda, p.50
275 Aroz al-Onof, vol.3, p.354
276 Tatikh Yaghoobi, vol.2, p.31
277 Aalam al-Vara be Aalam al-Hoda, p.51
278.Almeiar va al-Movazena, p.88
279 Aalam al-Vara be Aalam-al Hoda, p.56
281 Asirat al-Nabavia, vol.1, p.425
282 It is four years in many sources. (Morooj al-Zahab, vol.2, p.287)
283 Atabaghat al-Kobra, vol.1, p.164
284 Aalam al-Vara be Aalam al-Hoda, p.51
285 Atabaghat al-Kobra, vol.1, p.163
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Aishia (A) was revealed to the prophet (S) and informed him that the termites had eaten all written agreement except the name of Allah to help Bani Hashim. Abu Talib informed the pagans about this event. They removed the seal from the written agreement and found that Abu Talib was right.286
Moslems said: “Allah Akbar" at this time and the pagans were pale287. Many people believed Islam on that day and the cruel sanctions against Bani Hashim finished.288
Patience in Disaster
B: Hazrat Khadija (A) had a lot of problems!
P: Ghasem passed away after the economic sanctions finished289." Ghasem was at an age that he could ride horses. What made his death heavier was the mocking by the prophet’s (S) enemies. Amro As called the prophet (S) “Abtar” that means without any children. He made the prophet (S) and Khadija (A) very upset.
But Allah revealed sura “Kosar” and comforted them, and called his enemy “Abtar”290.
B: I had heard someone else had said “Abtar”, but you said it was Amro As.
P: Yes, that is correct. It is said that it was As Bin Vael who said "Abtar" according to not famous narrations291. It is because he was Amro As's father and they didn’t want to disgrace Amro As who was an important man in Muawiyah’s government.
B: Is it to respect the opponents of Ahl al Bait (A) too?
P: Anyway, Khadija (A) cried for the bereavement of his son. The holy prophet (S)
calmed her and told her: “Do you want to see him at the door of paradise while he is holding your hand and taking you to the best place in paradise?” Khadija (A) said:
“Yes, I do.” The prophet continued: “Allah is more generous than to take the fruit
286 Tarikh Yaghoobi, vol.2, p.31
287 Alkharaej, vol.1, p.86
288 Tarikh Yaghoobi, vol.2, p.32
289 Yaghoobi says it was after the economical sanctions and before Khadija’s (A) passing away, before Hijrat.
290 Sura Kosar; “Abtar” means a man without any child. [Dehkhoda Dictionary]
291 Oshdo al-Ghaba, vol.4, p.78
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of the heart of someone and punish the one who is a patient and thankful servant.”292
A: Of course, the person who consoled her, was the holy prophet (S) and he never promises lies.
P: Yes, but only one month later, Abdolah, their child at the breast died too. Khadija (A) said to messenger of God: “If he was alive, I would feed him.” The prophet said:
“He is in paradise at the breast.”293
The reason for the sons’ death is not mentioned in historical books. But according to some documents, they passed away after the economic sanctions. It shows that Hazrat Khadija (A) not only devoted her wealth and her life to Islam but also, she deviated her sons too.
The Prophet (S) and Khadija (A)’s Position
A: One of my Soni classmates said that the prophet (S) loved Aishia more than his other wives. Is it correct?
P: No, Allah says in Quran: 294 »ی یُویح یحٌ و اهّلّ و هُ اهن وی، اله قُ نطه ما و « نِ ع
“Nor does he speak out of desire, It is nought but revelation that is revealed.” So praising and speaking highly or ill speaking and imprecating or even choosing wives295 by the prophet (S) is not from carnal desire as it is for other humans.
B: It is said that the prophet (S) told in the last days of his life:
“O Homaira! speak with me” 296 » مینی ل ک !ء ا ی م ح« ُیا
293 Tarikh Taghoobi, vol.2, p.32
294 Sura Najm, Verses 3-4
295 There are a lot of differences in the number of prophet’s (S) wives. Especially when there are fake narrations that all of his wives will enter paradise! (Bagheia al-Bahes, vol.2, p.920)
296 In books, Ehia Oloome Din, vol.8, p.221, Etehfo Sadatel Motaghin, vol.9, p.848, Tabaghato Shafeiatel Kobra, vol.6, p.336, there is phrase »«کَلِّمینی عایِشَه. یا There is also the phrase حُمَیراء» یا اِشغِلینی حُمَیراء، یا «کَلِّمینی in the book Ehia Oloome Din by Abu Hamed Ghazali from Soni scholars. There isno hint to such a phrase before Ghazali in any of the Shiie and Soni books. Alame Alfetani Soni (deceased in 986 A.H.) says, ghazali’s phrase has no origin.
[Tazkerat al-Mozooat, p.196] Alame Seyed Morteza Askari says I didn’t find any origin for this phrase [Ahadith Omol Momenin Ayeshe, vol.2, p.25] He also says Ghazali has written whatever he found in the books, no matter it is true or false. [The same, p.26] Jamaledin Mezi saya every phrese that has the word “Homaira” is fake. [Al Mozooat al-Kabir, p.143]
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What do you think about it?
P: You know “Homaira” is a title for Aishia. Firstly, there is some doubt about it.
Remind me to speak about it later, please.
Secondly: If you pay attention to the prophet's (S) words about Khadija (A), can you find any of these about his other wives?
A: which words?
P: The holy prophet didn't marry anybody before Khadija (A) and when she was alive297 he didn't marry any free298 or slave299 woman permanent or temporary.300
A: What is free or slave woman?
P: If I say he didn't get any other wife, some people will say: “he got slave.” So, the only wife that he had in Mecca was Khadija (A).301 She was his best companion.
When she passed away the prophet (S) was very sad and upset302; so that people were worried about the prophet’s (S) life, after her passing away (martyrdom).303
A: It is very important that he did not marry another woman when she was alive.
P: The prophet’s (S) words about Khadija (A); They are too many: for example, he always remembered her304. He said: “God didn’t give me any wife better than Khadija (A).305”
P: No, it has just started. All of them are from valid documents. The holy prophet (S) always tried to honor her. He praised her and made her higher than his other wives.306
297 Seire Aalam al Nabala, vol.2, p.110
298 Sahih Moslem, vol.7, p.134
299 Seire Aalam al-Nabala, vol.2, p.110
300 Hedaiat al-Kobra, p.95
301 Taj al-Mavalid, p.72
302 Seire Aalam al-Nabala, vol.2, p.110
304 Sahih Bokhari, vol.7, p.76
305 Mosnad Hanbal, vol.6, p.117
306 Seire Aalam al-Nabala, vol.2, p.110
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The holy prophet (S) liked three branches from Ghoraish tribe: Bani Hashem, Bani Asad from which was Khadija (A), and Bani Zohre from which was his mother, Amene.307
A: Interesting.
P: We have a narration by Aishia about this case, All of Soni scholars say it, including Ahmad Bin Hanbel narrates from Aishia:
نا ّث حد « ع جاله ُم انا قال: عبدللاه انا اسحاق بن عل ثنا انی ثنی ّحد عبدللاهة ش عایه عن ٍشوق م عن عنی ّالش ن ِدٌ ها ُر ذک ت ما کی ا ما فقلتُ وما ی ُرت غه ف قالت ناء ث ال ن حس ا ف ها ی عل ثنی ا ة دیج خ ر ک ذ اذا (ص) نی ّالن کان قالت قتنی ّصد و ّاس الن ابدلنی ما قال منها. ا ی خ بها للا ک ل بد ا قد ِّالش مراء ح ین ر ف ک ذ اه نی ت ن ام قد منها ا ی خ للا دقه 308 ساءه» ِّالن والد ا حرمنی ذ اه ها د ل و للا رزقنی و اس ّالن حرّمنی اذا مالها به استنی و و الناس بنی کذّ اذ
“Whenever the holy prophet (S) remembered Khadija (A), he praised her very much. Once I got annoyed and told him how much you remember a woman without any teeth? God has given you better than she. He answered, nobody is better than she. She believed me when everyone else turned aside. she confirmed me when everybody else denied me. She gave me her wealth and property while others had deprived me. God bestowed me a child from her while other wives didn't.”
A: How well the holy prophet (S) has praised her.
P: Bokhari the highest narrator from Sonis, narrates from Aishia:
ی ف ُع بن ُعید س نا ّثد «ح عن یه اب عن ٌشام هه یل اه ب ت ک قال ُیث َّل ال حدثنا َّلن له ٍة أ امر عل ُرت ماغه :قالت ة ش عایهِنیه
"Aishia says: I was not jealous of any woman more than I was of Khadija (A). I didn't see her because she had passed away before I marry the prophet (S); But I was jealous of her because he remembered her very much. God had given her glad tidings about a house from gold and pearl and ruby in paradaise. Whenever the prophet (S) sacrificed a sheep, he would send it to Khadija’s (S) friends as a present.”
B: It is very interesting that God and the holy prophet (S) admired
307 Kamel al Bahaee, vol.1, p.409
308 Mosnad Hanbal, vol.6, p.117; Tarikh Islam va Vafeiat al-Mashahir va al Aalam, vol.1. p.238 309 Sahih Bokhari, vol.3, p.1388