Few women in Islamic history elicit more pride in the hearts and
minds of Muslims than Khadijah binti Khuwaylid. As the first wife of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), she was also the first convert to Islam – earning
her the title ‘mother of all the Muslims’.
For Muslim girls everywhere, Khadijah is one of the first female role
models introduced by parents and teachers of religion. A self-made
businesswoman, Khadijah was many years older than Muhammad when the two met.
She proposed marriage to him – and when he received his first revelations, she
provided him counsel. Trembling and filled with fear, Muhammad sought comfort
in Khadijah’s words: ‘Joyful tidings dost thou bring… Allah will not suffer
thee to fall to shame. Hast thou not been loving to thy kinsfolk, kind to thy
neighbours, charitable to the poor, hospitable to the stranger, faithful to thy
word, and ever a defender of the truth?’
Those who admire Khadijah’s example reside on all points across the
ideological spectrum. To conservative and more modern Muslims alike, Khadijah
represents the ideal Muslim woman. She was both accomplished and deeply
faithful. She had already created her own success, yet was also a devoted wife
and mother. In the first years of Islam, it was Khadijah who funded the spread
of Muhammad’s message. It was she who remained patient, stoic and devoted as
her husband’s message invited the scorn of those who did not believe in the one
God.
anger, faithful to thy
word, and ever a defender of the truth?’
The justification for
denying girls an equal chance at success lies in archaic interpretations of
religion
Sadly, not all who invoke Khadijah’s name wish to see young
Muslim girls reach their fullest potential. Radicals in Afghanistan have
targeted girls’ schools with poison gas, and have maimed female pupils with
acid. Across the Muslim world, girls are married off and robbed of the
opportunity to gain an education or even achieve basic literacy. In Yemen,
Jordan, Sudan and other Muslim-majority nations, it is commonplace for families
to send boys, not girls, to school. In some cases, financial hardship is to
blame. More often, though, the justification for denying girls an equal chance
at success lies in archaic interpretations of religion.
The clerics, fathers and
brothers who defend Islam’s position on women to the non-Muslim world by
invoking Khadijah’s name are often those most guilty of offenses against women.
These are men who, despite their proclaimed love for the Prophet, insult him
more severely than any non-Muslim critic ever could. Khadijah’s many
achievements, her independence and wisdom did not threaten Muhammad. Rather,
they inspired him to remain steadfast despite the treacherous path he faced,
and he was conscious of the fact that his work would have been impossible
without her faithful partnership. Crimes against girls – violence, denial of
equal access to education, prohibition from full participation in society – are
an insult to our faith, the Prophet Muhammad and the legacy of Khadijah.
There is nothing contradictory about being a powerful Muslim
female
To me, Khadijah’s example is both a promise and a call to
action. Her immense faith, resilience, and ambition assure Muslim girls the
world over that despite whatever obstacles lie in our path, there is nothing
contradictory about being a powerful Muslim female. Khadijah’s example is a
call to action because, despite the fact that she faced scrutiny, ostracism and
extraordinary challenges, she remained steadfast in her mission, kindness and generosity.
The question becomes, then: how do we not just invoke, but also live Khadijah’s
legacy?
Many Muslims are making incredible efforts to advance women’s
rights – often with the help of compassionate and dedicated non-Muslim allies.
They understand that we must not just speak of women’s rightful place in Islam.
We must also fight to regain it. Our faith is on our side.
Individual women who honour Khadijah’s legacy by helping women
and girls realise their full potential include Deeyah, a Norwegian Muslim
singer of South Asian descent who founded the Sisterhood project aimed at
providing a platform for young Muslim female musicians to be heard; Nazanin
Afshin-Jam, an Iranian activist working to end child executions; and Zainab
al-Suwaij, a US-based Iraqi woman who founded the American Islamic Congress in
order to provide a forum for truly moderate Islamic thought to thrive. The
organisation works to protect dissidents and promote understanding. Women
Living Under Muslim Laws is a global organisation addressing many issues of
crucial importance to Muslim women, from ‘honour’ violence to political
participation.
Men can advance Khadijah’s legacy as well. For example, Abdou
Bala Marafa, the Emir of Gobir, is a tribal religious leader in Niger and a
champion against child marriage. He has organised the Good Conduct Brigades – a
group of men and women who travel on motorbikes to rescue girls from early
marriage. His group also conducts community trainings on the dangers of child
marriage, and promotes equal education for girls. In Egypt, the Respect
Yourself campaign works to end the sexual harassment and sexually-based
violence so rampant on the country’s streets. The group targets primarily boys
and men aged 14 to 24, but has female members as well. Through educational
campaigns, rallies and even on-the-street intervention, the group has brought
attention to the hostility many Egyptian women endure every day.
The women featured in every
issue of this magazine’s Fabulous Muslimah column also live Khadijah’s legacy.
Their work reminds us that we too have a God-given right to pursue the full
extent of our potential. They join the many Muslim men and women who work daily
to improve the plight of women and girls worldwide. However, until every Muslim
girl knows that she can truly live Khadijah’s example herself, our work is far
from over.
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