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The Great women of Islam Khadeeja (ra)Jazakallah for attending today and your attentiveness, inshallah in my session we will be looking at what it means to be a great women and study one example and look at the lessons we can take from her life inshallah. So first of all….let’s get you all involved ASK - What does it mean to be a Successful Muslim woman? (Mentimeter) The ideals, roles and expectations of Muslim women have been reformed in the 21st century and are continually reforming. For example if we look at us in the room right now: we will have Sisters studying - To those studying degrees/masters and PhD’s out there as well as trying to fulfil the role of a daughter, sisters and more. Involved with studying Islam and community work also. Mothers – The beautiful mums living their lives as super mums; expected to look after the home, school runs, children, cook and clean, those who have to look after the home, family and need to work full time to maintain the costs of the house and the single mums running the complete household. Sisters working - To those aspiring in our jobs, training to learn new skills, try new things in our careers as well as trying to practise their religion with efforts to adorn hijab/jilbaab and trying to gain the closeness to Allah We are all from different backgrounds, with different daily lives, different responsibilities and roles. But who is successful? Those women out there who have dedicated their day and night to bringing up righteous children Those sister studying to give back to our communitiesThose organising charity events (like today) Those running workshops for revert sistersThose who are teaching the Quran and Islam to childrenThose who are working to feed their familiesThose who are home schooling their childrenJust to mention a few ….. Whatever you are doing as long as you are doing it with sincere intentions, for pleasure of Allah swt and without compromising your religion you are a successful Muslim woman! These are all examples of modern day successful women. There is no one specific answer to this question. No ideal that you need to match or be like. Which sadly we feel that social media, Instagram pictures, and advertising dictates what a successful women looks like. There is no standard. Inshallah we are going to look at the life of one great Muslim women from whom we can take inspiration from as we know for sure that she attained true success! The successful Muslim women who we will be looking at today is Khadeeja (ra) was: The 1st acceptor of Islam The dearest and most beloved 1st wife of the of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him)The one through whom the lineage of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) is still alive todayHow do we know she was successful? Allah told her about her success that she achieved in her lifetime, so now we could look into her life for our own inspiration in gain success the same way she did! Khadija (ra) truly was a remarkable women, her greatness was not just recognised by humans but also by Angel Jibrail and Allah. In Bukhari it is stated that on one occasion Jibreel came to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “This is Khadija, she is coming to you with a dish having a meat soup. When she reaches you greet her on behalf of your lord and on my behalf. ”WOW - She got a Salam from Allah only a few rare people who in their lifetime have been given the glad tidings of paradise.He also said: “Give her glad tiding of a palace in paradise made from a single pearl and there will be no noise nor hardship nor difficulty”How did she attain this ultimate success we should all be aiming for? We can look into her life and see how she lead it, how she interacted with people, her aims, goals, missions and dealings. I will give you a short insight today but would recommend you to all go away and study the seerah in more depth and detail. Khadija (ra) grew up as a princess – her dad was Khuwaylid bin Asad who was a popular leader among the Quraysh (a very prosperous businessman) and her mum was Fatima bin Za’eed. Khadija (ra) was married twice before Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) – according to the most famous narrations Both her husbands passed away and she was left as a young widow twice in her life. She focused her effort on bringing up her children. Her father passed away in a battle and she inherited her father’s business and she grew into a very successful, talented and honest businesswoman. She employed hard working and honest men to go and do her trade and would give them a share of the profit. Her business was one of the most successful in Quraysh. It was not like today, click of a button and you can buy/sell something from home or a drive to the shopping centre and purchase the goods. They would go from Makkah to the markets of Syria to sell their goods and then purchase goods from Syria to be sold in Makkah. Khadija (ra) could not to this herself so she would select trustworthy men to be employed for the job. Even before Khadija (ra) marriage to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) she was not only known as a business women but rather she had a very dignified and respectable name in society. She was not only the daughter of a leader of Quraysh but she had her own reputation/status. She was known as ‘The Pure One – At-Tahira’. It was normal in those days for business women who dealt with men to NOT be chaste. If they were not chaste that didn’t mean that men wouldn’t work for them or people wouldn’t buy their goods – it was a period of Jahilliyah (ignorance). But Khadeeja (ra) despite working with men she was very professional in her dealings and was chaste, noble and pure. Free from the customs of Jahaliyyah. We are going to extract 4 lessons from her life, and the first is….left241300Lesson 1 - She played a significant role in society She was a business woman this shows us that Muslim woman can be business woman and make a profit. Not just limited to business but they can go out there and do something, they should! They can have a significant role in society as long as you do not compromise your religion, modesty and your family. Her primary responsibility which comes with most reward is to look after her family and her children. However it is allowed and encouraged for her to be part of the larger community. E.g. you have all gathered her today to raise money for charity and receive some knowledge. There are stalls with businesswomen leading them – they are not compromising their religion by doing so and many other examples out there too. A successful Muslim women would be productive (in using her time wisely to achieve something) not wasting her time in useless pursuits that are materialistic that will not benefit her in the next world. A successful Muslim woman should benefits those around her and takes benefit from others and she should be constantly trying to improve in her personal growth be become a better person, a better Muslim and she should not compromise her religion along the way. Productivity Benefitting others Did not compromise her religion for it 00Lesson 1 - She played a significant role in society She was a business woman this shows us that Muslim woman can be business woman and make a profit. Not just limited to business but they can go out there and do something, they should! They can have a significant role in society as long as you do not compromise your religion, modesty and your family. Her primary responsibility which comes with most reward is to look after her family and her children. However it is allowed and encouraged for her to be part of the larger community. E.g. you have all gathered her today to raise money for charity and receive some knowledge. There are stalls with businesswomen leading them – they are not compromising their religion by doing so and many other examples out there too. A successful Muslim women would be productive (in using her time wisely to achieve something) not wasting her time in useless pursuits that are materialistic that will not benefit her in the next world. A successful Muslim woman should benefits those around her and takes benefit from others and she should be constantly trying to improve in her personal growth be become a better person, a better Muslim and she should not compromise her religion along the way. Productivity Benefitting others Did not compromise her religion for it Through this business of hers she had heard talk of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) and his good qualities so she him a job offer to trade good. He accepted and was now employed by Khadija (ra). Prophethood had not arrived yet. On one trip she send Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) with her trusted slave Maisarah to accompany and serve him. It was a very profitable trip and Maisarah was shocked and very impressed by Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) strength, integrity, honesty and loyalty to his principles. When Maisarah returned, he reported all he saw to Khadija (ra) she was deeply moved and impressed. He saw things that indicated towards the Muhammad (saw) being a Prophet. Which were also confirmed by Khadija (ra) cousin Warqah. She then developed a longing to wed Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). All the Noble men of Quraysh, the rich, the handsome, the ones from high status families had already her marriage proposals but she denied them all. She believed her cousin and knew that Muhammad would be a Prophet. She wanted to marry him, but why? She was 15yrs younger than him, no experiences, no money he was an orphan – and had a low social status compared to her. Everyone knows that Prophets from the past faced many difficulties and hardships. They were not rich nor had much money or wealth. (Except for Prophet Sulayman and Dawood (as)). People from every nation would ridicule a prophet. Why would Khadeeja (ra) want leave the rich Quraysh men’s proposals and desire to marry a Prophet? She knew that there will be no luxury or desire in being the wife of a Prophet. It would not be an easy job. This was clear proof of her purity and chastity. She was attracted to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) character and personality. She wasn’t marrying him for any materialistic gains otherwise she would have married the rich men of Quraysh. She had no concern for wealth, why would she have concern for the wealthy? The desire to marry a prophet is not the work of an ordinary mind, she was prepared to let go of all of the dunya. For a women to marry a prophet she had to be ready to cover herself with poverty and hardship. Scholars say: “An intelligent person is the one who turns away from something that is limited and turns his attention towards something that is eternal.”left831850Lesson 2 – She knew that life had a greater purpose in every sphere of her To marry someone for their character and manners and not their job, money, house and looksCharacter and manners are every lasting. It means they will treat you and your children well. Usually these traits increase with age and someone with good Islam will have good character because the item which will be the heaviest of the DOJ will be good character. It is important that he has a stable income (to support you) and you think he looks good (does not need to be prince charming) but these materialistic qualities should not be the reason for marriage because they can/will fade. They don’t bring you eternal contentment just limited happiness. A Successful Muslim woman attains contentment from the greater purpose in life. She knows that you cannot get complete satisfaction through a BMW car/ Designer handbag/ latest phones and gadgets. What’s the point of these materialistic items? In marriage, these can be factors but more priority should be given to internal characteristics, his manners, his emaan and his dealings with people. So the Successful Muslim women keeps in mind…that this dunya is limited and our goal is the pleasure of Allah and the hereafter. The right goal.00Lesson 2 – She knew that life had a greater purpose in every sphere of her To marry someone for their character and manners and not their job, money, house and looksCharacter and manners are every lasting. It means they will treat you and your children well. Usually these traits increase with age and someone with good Islam will have good character because the item which will be the heaviest of the DOJ will be good character. It is important that he has a stable income (to support you) and you think he looks good (does not need to be prince charming) but these materialistic qualities should not be the reason for marriage because they can/will fade. They don’t bring you eternal contentment just limited happiness. A Successful Muslim woman attains contentment from the greater purpose in life. She knows that you cannot get complete satisfaction through a BMW car/ Designer handbag/ latest phones and gadgets. What’s the point of these materialistic items? In marriage, these can be factors but more priority should be given to internal characteristics, his manners, his emaan and his dealings with people. So the Successful Muslim women keeps in mind…that this dunya is limited and our goal is the pleasure of Allah and the hereafter. The right goal.This is our second lesson, she was doing all this for the hereafter, and she knew that he would bring a true and eternal religion. She understood all this and still made the 1st move to propose to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). Khadeeja (Ra) goes on to Marriage and has 4 beautiful daughters and 2 sons who pass away early on. Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) had everything. Intelligent and wonderful children in a peaceful and happy household. But Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) was not content, he felt something was missing. He did not like the business of to town, did not agree with the idol worshipping etc. He began to enjoy spending time in solitude and contemplating. He started to go to Cave Hira for a few weeks at a time to dedicate himself in prayer and contemplation. Khadeeja (ra) was in her late 50s at this time. Put your hand up if you have climbed mount Hira? High? Hard? Khadeeja (ra) used to climb it often to go and give Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) food and comfort. She was a rich women with many workers she could have instructed a slave man or women to go and deliver the food to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). Why did she go herself? Love for her husband.She didn’t question him where are you going? Why are you going for so long? Come back ? don’t leave me? One day we know Angel Jibraeel came to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) In his full form with 300 wings from one horizon to the other. The revelation came to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) in Cave Hira with first few verses of Surah Alaq. This was such an overwhelming event for Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). He came home running, shaking and sweating, scared and frightened he said to this wife ‘Zamilooni Zamilooni’ cover me cover me. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) sat down and calmed down he told Khadeeja (ra) that he feared for him life and explained what happened. What did she say to him? You’ve gone crazy? You must be seeing things? You must be possessed telling me you saw an angel? Hallucinating? No she comforted him with soft, sweet words which gave him peace in his heart. Khadeeja (ra) was calm when he himself didn’t know what to believe, when he was confused and didn’t know what to believe she had firm belief in him due to his good character.“Do not worry,” she said, “for by Him who has dominion over Khadijah’s soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress.”-171450831850Lesson 3 - To be a source of comfort for her familyHer children can rely on her, husband can happily come home to her, sibling she can support, and her parents can turn to her times of need. Usually if she is happy the home is happy and is she is angry everything is upside down. She is the pillar of the family. A successful Muslim woman is the source of peace, calm, comfort and support for her family members020000Lesson 3 - To be a source of comfort for her familyHer children can rely on her, husband can happily come home to her, sibling she can support, and her parents can turn to her times of need. Usually if she is happy the home is happy and is she is angry everything is upside down. She is the pillar of the family. A successful Muslim woman is the source of peace, calm, comfort and support for her family membersShe didn’t have to believe him. Her soothing words gave him strength and courage. From this moment onwards she was the emotional and religious support of Islam. She not only support him but was the first person to believe in him. In the early days of Islam she financially supported Islam. She didn’t look at how her business would be affected if she accepted this new religion. (People thought the religion was crazy and magic). She didn’t think about how her status was affected (people would stop trading with me). No the Akhirah was her only aim. She sacrificed everything for Islam. After 7 years of prophet hood the Quraysh saw that more people were accepting Islam and has used all their torture techniques which were stopping people from accepting the religion. They decided upon a new technique to boycott all the Muslims and tribe of Banu Hashim. They were confined to a valley away from all of society cut off from family/friends/trade and comfort of their homes. The suffered from severe hunger and Khadeeja (ra) was a part of this. Now in her late 60s the one who was her father’s princess now living in a valley with nothing to eat, no water, no luxuries, she starved and ate leaves. Her nephew would sneak her and Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) some food but he was caught and that stopped too. She again didn’t complain even at this tender old age. left1659890Lesson 4 - Sacrifices for the sake of Allah (Wealth/ Health / Wellbeing/ everything support of Islam and pleasure of Allah. A successful Muslim women sacrifices what she needs to gain the closeness and pleasure of Allah. E.g She sacrifices socialising or going out with friend for an Islamic class, she sacrifice her money to give to charity, she sacrifice time with her husband for him to be able to pray masjid and she sacrifices her sleep for Fajr salah. We sacrifice our time, patience and money. Just remember your sacrifices are nothing compared to the sacrifices of Khadija (ra). When she sacrificed so much as she was given the good news “Give her glad tiding of a palace in paradise made from a single pearl and there will be no noise nor hardship nor difficulty”- there is emphasis on no hardship / difficulty as that is how she spent her life and we know the reward she attained as a result of it. So should also remember that we will be rewarded for our sacrifices no matter how small or big. The bigger the sacrifice the greater the reward. 020000Lesson 4 - Sacrifices for the sake of Allah (Wealth/ Health / Wellbeing/ everything support of Islam and pleasure of Allah. A successful Muslim women sacrifices what she needs to gain the closeness and pleasure of Allah. E.g She sacrifices socialising or going out with friend for an Islamic class, she sacrifice her money to give to charity, she sacrifice time with her husband for him to be able to pray masjid and she sacrifices her sleep for Fajr salah. We sacrifice our time, patience and money. Just remember your sacrifices are nothing compared to the sacrifices of Khadija (ra). When she sacrificed so much as she was given the good news “Give her glad tiding of a palace in paradise made from a single pearl and there will be no noise nor hardship nor difficulty”- there is emphasis on no hardship / difficulty as that is how she spent her life and we know the reward she attained as a result of it. So should also remember that we will be rewarded for our sacrifices no matter how small or big. The bigger the sacrifice the greater the reward. Soon after the boycott, which lasted 3 years she passed away due to the effects of the boycott at the age of 65yrs old. She support Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) for 25yrs. Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) lowered her into her grave himself in a place called Hajoon, close to Makkah. Thereafter when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) visited Makkah (living in Medina) the sahabahs would ask him where you like would to stay and he would say Hajoon! The place where his beloved wife was buried.She was a great successful Muslim women, whom we can learn many lesson from even after her death. Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) never married any other woman during his marriage to her even though later in his life he married 10 other women his love for Khadeeja (ra) was not like the others. The mark of their love carried on even after her death Whenever Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) would sacrifice a camel he would send meat to her friendsWhen Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) would hear her name his face would light up. Aisha (ra) said: I never got jealous of any of the wives except Khadeeja (ra) and I hadn't even seen her. Once Aisha (ra) asked Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) why do you miss her? You have a better younger wife’ This displeased the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) and he said: “I have not yet found a better wife than her. She had faith in her when everyone, even members of my own family and tribe did not believe me and accepted that I was truly a Prophet and a Messenger of Allah. She converted to Islam, spent all her wealth to help me spread Islam. She was there when the entire world seemed to have turned against me and persecuted me. It is only through her that Allah blessed me with children. ”Allah showed us her reward in this life so that we can make the correlation between her life and her reward = Jannah. As just as she is an epic example for us we can inshallah aim for Jannah through the lessons we learn in her life. There are many more lessons we can extract from her life but today we have looked at 4 ways we can become successful Muslim women like herTo play a role in our communities To know your greater purpose in life To be a source of comfort for your family To make sacrifices in your life for the pleasure of Allah I pray that Allah allows us to follow in the footsteps of Khadija (ra) and unites us in Paradise with her. Allah blesses us with sincere intentions, contentment in our lives and accepts our actions and makes us all true successful Muslim women inshallah! ................
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