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| Noor Saadeh of Dallas, Texas |
| MWA WRITER SPOTLIGHT |
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| "None of you is truly a believer until she wishes for her sister what she wishes for herself." (Bukhari & Muslim) |
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| "Have you ever considered (the kind of person) who denies the judgment (to come)? It is (the person) who drives the orphan away with harshness and feels no urge to feed the needy." Quran 107:1-3 |
Not much is known prior to her fortieth year. We do know that she was a
business woman, twice married, and twice widowed. She successfully
continued her late husband's business in the male dominated world of trade.
Khadijah refused the many nobles and notables who offered marriage. An
upright and honest young employee, named Muhammad, however, caught her
attention. Breaking all customs of the day, she proposed marriage. She was
fifteen years his senior.
So began a remarkable love story. The business grew as did their family. She
bore Muhammad six children; quite remarkable for a woman well past forty.
In a polygamous society, they enjoyed a loving and faithful monogamous
relationship. They lived a quiet and satisfied life, surrounded by their
children. Both were renowned for their charity and kindness.
In later years, she supported her husband’s meditative retreats in a nearby
mountain cave. He returned one night from his reflections in a great state of
agitation. She listened in astonishment as he related a story that is now so
well-known to Muslims around the world.
Khadijah immediately accepted the fantastic story Muhammad told her of an
angel that appeared to him announcing his Prophethood. The wisdom of
years and knowledge of her husband’s character left no doubt as to its
truthfulness.
Khadijah stood in solidarity with him and became the first Muslim, announcing
her acceptance of the message of Islam that Muhammad proclaimed. Their
peaceful lives would be forever altered. Harassment and terror awaited those
who swore allegiance to monotheism. The idol-worshipping clans of Arabia did
everything in their power to wipe out this new and dangerous idea.
Khadijah was a constant source of help and comfort to Muhammad in the
difficulties they faced. All of her wealth was spent in spreading the message,
sheltering and assisting all those who had embraced Islam.
After years of persecution the Muslims were turned out of their homes and
sent into exile in the harsh desert climate. For three years the small Muslim
community lived a life of hardship and deprivation, suffering from hunger and
exposure. For Khadijah, now sixty-five, the boycott left its mark. In the
following year, known by Muhammad as the ‘Year of Sorrow’, Khadijah died.
Muhammad’s honor and service to the memory of Khadijah are legendary. In
his words, "She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam
when people rejected it; and she helped and comforted me when there was no
one else to lend a helping hand."
In Islamic traditions, Khadijah, along with Mary the Mother of Jesus, is
counted among the most righteous of all women in history. Her story dispels
stereotypes not only of Muslim women, but of women everywhere and serves
as an inspiration to us all.
-----------
Noor Saadeh is Production Manager for Noorart, Inc. and a member of
Muslimah Writers Alliance.
Copyright © Noor Saadeh 2007
business woman, twice married, and twice widowed. She successfully
continued her late husband's business in the male dominated world of trade.
Khadijah refused the many nobles and notables who offered marriage. An
upright and honest young employee, named Muhammad, however, caught her
attention. Breaking all customs of the day, she proposed marriage. She was
fifteen years his senior.
So began a remarkable love story. The business grew as did their family. She
bore Muhammad six children; quite remarkable for a woman well past forty.
In a polygamous society, they enjoyed a loving and faithful monogamous
relationship. They lived a quiet and satisfied life, surrounded by their
children. Both were renowned for their charity and kindness.
In later years, she supported her husband’s meditative retreats in a nearby
mountain cave. He returned one night from his reflections in a great state of
agitation. She listened in astonishment as he related a story that is now so
well-known to Muslims around the world.
Khadijah immediately accepted the fantastic story Muhammad told her of an
angel that appeared to him announcing his Prophethood. The wisdom of
years and knowledge of her husband’s character left no doubt as to its
truthfulness.
Khadijah stood in solidarity with him and became the first Muslim, announcing
her acceptance of the message of Islam that Muhammad proclaimed. Their
peaceful lives would be forever altered. Harassment and terror awaited those
who swore allegiance to monotheism. The idol-worshipping clans of Arabia did
everything in their power to wipe out this new and dangerous idea.
Khadijah was a constant source of help and comfort to Muhammad in the
difficulties they faced. All of her wealth was spent in spreading the message,
sheltering and assisting all those who had embraced Islam.
After years of persecution the Muslims were turned out of their homes and
sent into exile in the harsh desert climate. For three years the small Muslim
community lived a life of hardship and deprivation, suffering from hunger and
exposure. For Khadijah, now sixty-five, the boycott left its mark. In the
following year, known by Muhammad as the ‘Year of Sorrow’, Khadijah died.
Muhammad’s honor and service to the memory of Khadijah are legendary. In
his words, "She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam
when people rejected it; and she helped and comforted me when there was no
one else to lend a helping hand."
In Islamic traditions, Khadijah, along with Mary the Mother of Jesus, is
counted among the most righteous of all women in history. Her story dispels
stereotypes not only of Muslim women, but of women everywhere and serves
as an inspiration to us all.
-----------
Noor Saadeh is Production Manager for Noorart, Inc. and a member of
Muslimah Writers Alliance.
Copyright © Noor Saadeh 2007
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