Khadijah PDF

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Study notes on significant person Khadijah....

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Studies of Religion – 1 Unit – HSC Course Religious Tradition Study:

ISLAM Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid Study Notes

Overview/Background

Upbringing and personality:      

Khadijah came from a noble family, inheriting wealth and financial ability. Belonged to the Assad tribe of the Quraysh She was a self-assured woman who despised paternalism She was ‘crafty, enterprising and rich’, referred to as the “Quraysh princess” Referred to as ‘al-Tahira’ (the pure) for her gentle soul, helping the poor and assisting others financially. Known as the “pure woman”

Relations with Muhammad:    

Khadijah employed Muhammed and entrusted him with her wealth. Khadijah proposed to Muhammed as she loved his kinship, honour, trustworthiness, truthfulness and beauty of character. Gave birth to her first child, Fatima in 615CE, one of Islam’s 4 perfect children, where she then retired from business to be a mother and wife. Her life changed as angel Jibril appeared to Muhammad in an awe-inspiring revelation.

Khadijah’s impact on Muhammad:    

Khadijah took Muhammad to see her cousin ‘Waraqa Ibn Nawfal’ for guidance where he told them that Mohammad was the last prophet. As Mohammad was commanded by revelation from Allah to call people for worship, Khadijah openly expressed without hesitation. Khadijah was a constant source of help, support and comfort. Khadijah’s wealth helped Mohammad spread Allah’s message and to free slaves who embraced Islam as well as caring for Muslim communities.

Khadijah’s death:  

Died in 619 AD during Ramadan Her death coincides with Abu Talib, the year becoming known as the ‘year of sorrow’.

1a) The contribution to the development and expression of Islam of Khadijah Overarching contribution:    

Emotional and physical support for Muhammad First disciple (convert) to Islam. Provided logistical and financial support to help grow the religion. Khadijah facilitated the change enforced by Mohammad.

Khadijah’s contribution for adherents: 

Khadijah converted other women and taught children to submit to Allah.

  

Modelled how to be a good wife and mother as well as a good parent in general. Practically embodies prosperous virtues. Created an ideal example for relationships, practices and attitudes we should emulate.

Examples of contribution:  Khadijah conveyed prosperous virtues and subverted gender expectations which fabricated an altered expression and application of Islamic faith.  Support at the time of the first revelation.  Showed adherents to persevere when afflicted, demonstrated practically in her life through the death of children or alienation whilst spreading the message of Islam.

1b) Analyse the impact Khadijah had on Islam Arabia prior to Khadijah’s life:  The Islamic religion did not exist.  Social and religious values deteriorated in Pre-Islamic Arabia, many evil, such as female infanticide became commonly accepted.  Most religions were polytheistic in nature.  Khadijah converted to Islam even before Muhammad, showing by example a lifestyle which challenged the primitive culture, emulating values before they were articulated as Islamic. Overarching impact:  Khadijah expressed to others how to do what later became known as the 5 pillars, expressions of Islamic beliefs.  Some reacted positively and joined the umma, however, many opposed her and Muhammad as well.  After Khadijah’s death, Muhammad established the new Islamic Meccan laws to reduce polygamy and stop slavery and infanticide.  Fatima Bint Muhammad continued her mother’s tradition of deeding those less fortunate, assisted the wounded and performed all Islamic rituals.  During the ‘intervening period’ (8th-15th centuries), Muslim women played a significant role in the knowledge, understanding and spread of Islamic faith, influenced by Khadijah’s life.  In the ‘Contemporary period’, Muslim women continued to preach, teach and lived their faith using Khadijah’s example. Examples of impact:  Zubadiah, expressed her spirituality through a series of philanthropic works, constructing mosques and monasteries, continuing the spirit of her predecessor, Khadijah.  Aziza Abdel Halim, leader of the Muslim Women’ National Network of Australia, supporting refugee Islam women and promoting interfaith dialogue.  Zainab al-Ghazzalia, Islamic leader in Egypt, and founder of a key educational centre for women.

Muslim beliefs enacted by Khadija: Allah  Proclaimed one God  first to declare the Shahada  lived her life for Allah Fate / Predestination  Put her trust in Allah  Believed Muhammad’s teaching Existence of Angels  Believed in Muhammad’s revelations from Angel Jibril Prophets  Story of the seer, Waraqah  Believed Muhammad was the prophet. Books of Allah  Believed in the message brought to Muhammad. Day of Judgement:  Submitted herself to Allah spiritually and physically. Life after death and resurrection:  All her actions and deeds were to please Allah.

Quotes: Contribution “I bear witness that there is no God except Allah. I bear witness that Muhamad is the messenger of Allah.” “Khadijah believed in him and made it easier for him to bear whatever the people said or did. In this way, Allah helped his prophet.” “She converted to Islam, spent all her wealth and worldly goods to help me spread this faith and this is too at a time when the entire world seemed to have turned against me.” “The voice of Khadijah was the first, the only and the solitary voice which supported the holy mission of Prophet Muhammad.” “When people slandered me, she believed in me when no one else did, she accepted Islam when people rejected me.”

“Religion succeeded and became manifest only through Ali’s sword and Khadijah’s prosperity.” “No property was ever so useful to me as Khadijah’s…I used it to free slaves, help the needy and support the poor.” “Her financial assistance was vital in the primal stages of Islam.”

Impact “Khadijah for us is like a, ideal daughter, wife and mother, an ideal woman and great role model.” “mother of all believer.”...