THE STORY OF KHADIJA

"God will never let you down. You are kind to your family. You are truthful. You help the needy and the poor. You gladly welcome anybody who comes as a guest to your house. You follow the way of truth and justice.” Some time passed in this way. And then, one day, the angel Gabriel told the Prophet: “Now the time has come to call people to Islam and preach the message openly.” The Prophet realized that this was the beginning of a new era and that now much was going to be expected of him. He started to preach Islam full time. He gave up his business activities and Khadija placed her whole wealth at his disposal. Her entire fortune was used up in the cause of Islam. Khadija not only gave her wealth in the cause of Islam but also became personally involved in dawah work. She organized meals for the people of Makkah. This gave her a chance to meet them in groups, to talk to them and tell them about Islam. Some of them liked what they heard and joined the small group of believers. But not everybody liked the Prophet’s message and many people in Makkah opposed Islam. This was especially true of the Quraysh tribe, who were the leaders of Makkah. They were scared that people would turn away from tribal traditions and would no longer listen to them. They began to be cruel to the Prophet and those who accepted Islam. They spoke rudely to them, threw dust and garbage on them when they passed their houses, and would not let them buy goods in their shops or do business with them. They would not allow them to take part in their gatherings. They spread all sorts of lies about them. One day the Prophet was sitting in the cave of Hira and did not return home at his usual time. Khadija became worried. She thought the Quraysh might harm him so she sent a man to look for him. She wondered: “What could have happened to him? Why is he late?” The man she sent returned empty-handed and told her that he could not find the Prophet anywhere in town. Khadija decided to go and look for him herself. At that time the Prophet was in the cave with the angel Khadija not only gave her wealth in the cause of Islam but also became personally involved in dawah work. She organized meals for the people of Makkah. This gave her a chance to meet them in groups, to talk to them and tell them about Islam.