Lecture 9 in the Ramadaan series: 

EXPLORING THE SHIA APPROACH TO THE QURAN

Friday 25 May 2018 (9 Ramadaan 1439) 
at the Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid, Ottery, Cape Town

delivered by Mowlana Syed Aftab Haider

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
وَالضُّحَىٰ {1}
I swear by the early hours of the day,
وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ {2}
And the night when it covers with darkness.
مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ {3}
Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He become displeased,
وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ {4}
And surely what comes after is better for you than that which has gone before.
وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ {5}
And soon will your Lord give you so that you shall be well pleased.
أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ {6}
Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?
وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالًّا فَهَدَىٰ {7}
And find you lost (that is, unrecognized by men) and guide (them to you)?
وَوَجَدَكَ عَائِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ {8}
And find you in want and make you to be free from want?
فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ {9}
Therefore, as for the orphan, do not oppress (him).
وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ {10}
And as for him who asks, do not chide (him),
وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ {11}
And as for the favor of your Lord, do announce (it).

KEY MESSAGES OF SURAH DHUHA

What I have recited is Surah Dhuha, which is chapter 93 of the Holy Quran. After taking 2 oaths in the first 2 verses, Almighty Allah (SWT) addresses our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) in verses 3 – 5, and makes promises to him in verse 5. 

According to the commentators of the Holy Quran, this Surah was revealed after a relatively long period of time when there was no Wahi revealed, meaning there was supposedly a longer break between 2 pieces of revelation from Almighty Allah (SWT) to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). 

This became a bit of a concern for Rasulullah (SAWA), where he started feeling abandoned. It is on this point that this Surah Dhuha was revealed. Allah (SWT) starts this Surah with the oaths and then guarantees Rasulullah (SAWA) in verse 3 that he should NEVER think that he is abandoned.

Then, Allah (SWT) reminds Rasulullah (SAWA) in verse 4, that he should never concern himself with this Dunya, as Allah’s (SWT) provision in the Hereafter (Akhirah) is much more than what this Dunya can offer.

What is Allah (SWT) promising in verse 5 to Rasulullah (SAWA), which he will be pleased with? According to the Imams of Ahlul Bait (a.s), this verse is regarded as the verse which instils the GREATEST HOPE, as Allah (SWT) is guaranteeing satisfaction to Rasulullah (SAWA). 

But the question remains how, and why THIS particular verse, especially when one considers the many other verses of the Holy Quran where Allah (SWT) promises forgiveness and that He is very close to us? According to the Imams of Ahlul Bait (a.s), Allah (SWT) is committing in this verse to Rasulullah (SAWA) that he will forgive and intercede for his whole nation (Ummah), and this is the satisfaction that Allah (SWT) is guaranteeing to Rasulullah (SAWA) in this verse. Nothing less than that can satisfy Rasulullah (SAWA)!

After Allah (SWT) is making such a big promise in verse 5 to Rasulullah (SAWA), He then explains in verse 6 that He has been very kind to Rasulullah (SAWA), giving him the best! Verse 6 says “isn’t it that we found you as an orphan and then provided you shelter?” Who provided shelter? Indeed, Allah (SWT) is saying that He is the one who provided refuge.

The question arises that when Rasulullah (SAWA) became orphaned, and there was nobody to take care of him, who physically provided shelter to Rasulullah (SAWA)? It was none other than his uncle Abu Talib (a.s)!

So refuge came from Allah (SWT) through Him gracing Abu Talib (a.s) with the ability to take care of Rasulullah (SAWA). Just imagine the magnanimity of the status of Abu Talib (a.s), such that refuge provided by him is refuge provided by Almighty Allah (SWT)! Unfortunately, after 1400 centuries, there is still this very tiring argument presented which doubts the faith (Imaan) of Abu Talib (a.s)! This is a man whose shelter is the shelter of Allah (SWT)! 

LADY KHADIJAH (S.A) INTRODUCED IN VERSE 8 OF SURAH DHUHA

In verse 7, Allah (SWT) says that He provided guidance to Rasulullah (SAWA) when he was lost.

Then in verse 8, Allah (SWT) says that Rasulullah (SAWA) was found to be in a bad economical state, and Allah (SWT) made him self-sufficient! On this night, the important question to ask is, who made Rasulullah (SAWA) rich? It was none other than Lady Khadijah al-Kubra (s.a)! 

On this night of her demise on 10 Ramadaan, it is important for us to reflect on her integral role with Rasulullah (SAWA) and his Divine Prophetic mission. From this verse 8, we get an appreciation of who she is really, where Almighty Allah (SWT) counts her financial support as His own support! Who is this great lady whose demise and sad departure we are commemorating on 10 Ramadaan?

LADY KHADIJAH (S.A) IS A SHINING LIGHT IN THAT MEDIEVAL SOCIETY 

Let us reflect on the status of women in that medieval society, where women were the most oppressed, neglected and exploited. In this horrible scenario for women, we see Lady Khadijah al-Kubra (s.a) emerge as a beacon. She single-handedly becomes the most respectful lady of Quraish.

This shows the greatest status and sublime quality of this dear Lady. One very important aspect of her life was that she was a very affluent businesswoman. This feat is truly remarkable in such a male chauvinistic society at that time, where women were a curse, such that girl babies were buried alive!

As Almighty Allah (SWT) asks in the Holy Quran, in verse 9 of Surah Takwir (chapter 81):

بِأَيِّ ذَنْبٍ قُتِلَتْ
“For what sin she was killed”

In that medieval society, we see Lady Khadijah (s.a) shine as a true role-model!

Another very important angle to Lady Khadijah (s.a) is that she is diametrically different to other women of that horrible society. In the same society, we find women who placed flags on their houses advertising their corruption and immorality, which they were very proud of! In this decadent society, we have a chaste woman by the name of Lady Khadijah (s.a)!

WHAT WAS THE BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY OF LADY KHADIJAH (S.A)?

Most often, we tend to place great emphasis on the successful business ventures of Lady Khadijah (s.a), and there is no doubt about this. One thing to reflect on in this regard is that she is a businesswoman of a very different breed. She has a very different business ethos. 

Normally, the mindset of business people is all about wealth accumulation, and that is what they eat, sleep and drink. Day and night, their priority is all about making more and more money. Nothing is more important, and your success is measured by this indicator. The more money you make, the better businessperson you are!

This successful businesswoman, Lady Khadijah (s.a) was truly remarkable. Indeed, she made loads of money, but her concern and mindset was not stuck in money and nothing else. 

History has narrated for us the different titles of Lady Khadijah (s.a). She was called the Mother of those of who have no place to go ie. Mother of the homeless. She was also known as Mother of orphans. These titles were long before she met Rasulullah (SAWA). Her wealth was not for her worldly pursuits, but was dedicated to the service of humanity. 

INACCURATE HISTORICAL RECORDS ON LADY KHADIJAH (S.A)

There is a common historical record that she was married before she met Rasulullah (SAWA). However, research shows that she was never married before. 

Most historians have recorded that she married Rasulullah (SAWA) when she was 40 years old. In Arab society, this was considered old-age for a woman. This historical record is definitely not true, because it does not reconcile when one calculates when she passed away at the age of 50 or 60 and she spent 25 years with Rasulullah (SAWA). 

So, Lady Khadijah (s.a) was not 40 years old at the time of marrying Rasulullah (SAWA). She was around 25 years old at the time of married Rasulullah (SAWA). She was still young, and not a divorcee or a widow. Everybody was lining up requesting her hand in marriage due to her success and beauty she was gifted. Furthermore, she had great respect in society, where she was called the “Madam of Quraish”. This was another important title she was known by.

CRITERIA FOR SPOUSE SELECTION ACCORDING TO LADY KHADIJAH (S.A)

Despite all of these influential people in society wanting Lady Khadijah (s.a), none of them succeeded. Why? The reason is because the criteria of Lady Khadijah (s.a) are not money, status and fame. 

This is a very interesting part of the history. When Lady Khadijah (s.a) started thinking of marrying our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), we see in the historical records that she says that “this man by the name of Muhammad (SAWA) is a very honest person. He is a truthful person who takes care of his personality.”

History has recorded that Lady Khadijah (s.a) hired Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) as a logistics provider to different regional points like Syria etc. Honestly, research again proves that this statement is seriously questionable, because Rasulullah (SAWA) was not hired by anybody, as this implies a dilution to his status, meaning that he reports to his superior. This cannot be the case with Rasulullah (SAWA).

Upon careful analysis of the historical records, it is a more accurate conclusion that Lady Khadijah (s.a) requested the help of Rasulullah (SAWA), rather than hiring him. This means that it was a partnership or joint operation between the 2 of them, rather than an employer/employee relationship.

Then, when Rasulullah (SAWA) returned and that servant of Lady Khadijah (s.a), who accompanied Rasulullah (SAWA), started relaying to Lady Khadijah (s.a) of the character of Rasulullah (SAWA) which he directly witnessed when they travelled together, Lady Khadijah’s (s.a) eyes were full of tears. This is a unique relationship between Rasulullah (SAWA) and Lady Khadijah (s.a), which truly warrants the investment to understand and learn from it!

A key hallmark of this relationship is the unbridled love, but what makes this love unique is that it is not attached to anything material! As mentioned earlier, what impressed her most about Rasulullah (SAWA) was his honesty and noble, moral character. 

Secondly, she was most impressed by the feedback she received from her servant about Rasulullah (SAWA). He narrated that he and Rasulullah (SAWA) stopped in front of a place of worship in Syria and the monk asked the servant of Lady Khadijah (s.a) who is this young man sleeping under the tree? The servant replied to the monk that this was a young man from Mecca. The monk responded by saying that this should be a Prophet of Allah (SWT) because nobody else, other than Prophets (a.s), can sleep under this tree!

THE MARRIAGE OF LADY KHADIJAH (S.A) TO RASULULLAH (SAWA) IS THE IDEAL FOR ALL TIMES!

There are other narrations where I can say with full conviction that Lady Khadijah has faith (Imaan) in our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) before his Prophethood was announced!

So, even before the start of the Prophetic mission, we see that Lady Khadijah’s (a.s) heart is ready and all of this developed amazing love for Rasulullah (SAWA). Indeed, a romance of a very different level, which was very pure and reciprocated. 

Again, history has recorded that Lady Khadijah (s.a) fell in love with our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and history says that he also had that same love for her. Therefore, Ammar Yasir says that he was between Safa and Marwa, and met the sister of Lady Khadija (s.a). She said to Ammar, “don’t you think that your friend (Rasulullah (SAWA)) would like to marry my sister Khadijah (s.a)?” Ammar replied in the affirmative!

This relationship between Lady Khadijah (s.a) and Rasulullah (SAWA) then established, and what a truly remarkable relationship it was. This is the amazing human aspect of the life of Rasulullah (SAWA). That love between these 2 is so deep, which is filled with amazing etiquette and morals by Lady Khadijah (s.a). Therefore, they say that Lady Khadijah (s.a) is the manifestation of that passion of love fused with morals and respect in front of Rasulullah (SAWA).

When Rasulullah (SAWA) received his first revelation, he returned to Lady Khadijah (s.a) after that unique experience in the cave of Hira. He shared his unique experience with nobody other than Lady Khadijah (s.a). There is no greater secret in this world than this secret about the unique experience of Rasulullah (SAWA) when receiving his first revelation.

This fully defies the stereotype and prejudice where we are told never to share a secret with a woman! Here we see Rasulullah (SAWA) shared the most precious secret with a woman! 

FABRICATED CLAIMS ON THE DECLARATION OF PROPHETHOOD

Now, I have already mentioned in our discussion about the Quran in these nights, that ibn Hisham and others have narrated stories which are completely fabricated, whereby they claim that Rasulullah (SAWA) was double-minded and doubtful, unsure whether it was Wahi he received or whether it was Satanic influence. If Lady Khadija’s (s.a) love for our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) was based upon these predictions that he will be the final messenger of Allah (SWT), then what about our Rasulullah (SAWA) himself? How could he be doubtful? It is impossible to conceive this notion.

These fabricated stories claim that Lady Khadijah (s.a) took Rasulullah (SAWA) to her uncle Waraka ibn Nawfal, who supposedly verified that what Rasulullah (SAWA) received was indeed Divine revelation and that it was not at all Satanic influence. These fabricated stories then say that Rasulullah (SAWA) became satisfied after Waraka ibn Nawfal confirmed that he is indeed the final Prophet of Allah (SWT). If this is true, then why did Waraka ibn Nawfal not accept Islam? He died without accepting Islam 3 or 4 years after this incident.

Lady Khadijah (s.a) and Rasulullah (SAWA) were both confident in what was received from Almighty Allah (SWT). 

WHERE WOULD ISLAM BE WITHOUT THE DEVOTION OF LADY KHADIJAH (S.A)?

This woman has no purpose in her life, other than to devote herself fully to Rasulullah (SAWA) and his Prophetic Mission and Islam. Her contribution is unimaginable! This was a very rich woman, coming from a very rich family living a very comfortable life. Through her love for Rasulullah (SAWA) she abandons her comfortable palace and instead chooses an abode where she has to sleep on stones and survive on the most humble of food!

How much suffering did Lady Khadijah (s.a) have to endure? Especially when one considers that she was the most respected woman in Mecca. She became the wife of a man who was pelted with stones and trash! Yet, her commitment remained steadfast to Rasulullah (SAWA) during these very difficult periods.

Rasulullah (SAWA) could never ever forget the role of Khadijah (s.a), coupled with her noble character and strategic influence during the early days of Islam. One of the beauties of Lady Khadijah (s.a) is that her Imaan is complete. 

She was introduced to Wilayat and Imamate as well, which she accepted. Therefore, history records that Lady Khadijah (s.a) was the first believer in Wilayat and Imamate too.

Let me conclude by saying that she was one personality whom Rasulullah (SAWA) could never, ever forget. There was not a day when our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) did not remember Lady Khadijah (s.a). He continued to remember her fondly after she passed away from this world.

RASULULLAH (SAWA) HELD A SPECIAL STATUS FOR KHADIJAH (S.A) UNTIL THE END

A key point to remember is that Rasulullah (SAWA) did not marry anybody else while he was married to Lady Khadijah (s.a). Rasulullah (SAWA) would always honour the family of Lady Khadijah (s.a) with special respect when they would visit him.

Rasulullah (SAWA) complained and got quite upset if someone said anything negative about Lady Khadijah (s.a). He would not tolerate any bickering towards Lady Khadijah (s.a) after she passed away. He would always make people remember that Lady Khadijah (s.a) was the one who offered him unwavering support when nobody else was around. 

Furthermore, he would very proudly affirm that Lady Khadijah (s.a) was the one who verified him when everyone else rejected him! Furthermore, it was Lady Khadijah (s.a) who gave Rasulullah (SAWA) shelter, when everyone else rejected. She was also the one who provided him with unparalleled love, when everyone else hated him.

Rasulullah (SAWA) continued to remind people that Almighty Allah (SWT) gave him children only through Lady Khadijah (s.a) and not through any of his other wives. 

Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrates that Rasulullah (SAWA) asked Ummul Mu’mineen Ayesha:
“O Ayesha, what can I do (about Khadijah)? How can I abandon Khadijah when her love runs in my blood? Her love is resting very settled in my heart, which cannot be removed.”

After the sanctions were lifted against Rasulullah (SAWA), whereby he, together with Lady Khadijah (s.a) and the other Muslims who were isolated in that valley came out, Khadijah (s.a) was broken from the long suffering. Lady Khadijah (s.a) did not survive very long after this.

First, Rasulullah (SAWA) lost his dear uncle Abu Talib (a.s) and then he lost Lady Khadijah (s.a).

This is the story of Lady Khadijah al-Kubra (s.a)

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