Khadija Bint Khuwaylid - Death

Death

Edward Gibbon in his book The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire wrote:

During the twenty-four years of their marriage, her youthful husband abstained from the right of polygamy, and the pride or tenderness of the venerable matron was never insulted by the society of a rival. After her death he placed her in the rank of the four perfect women, with the sister of Moses, the mother of Jesus, and Fatima, the best beloved of his daughters.

Among all his wives,she was most beloved to Muhammad, as has been stated in books of ahadith.

According to Kazi Ejaz and Ibne Abdul Bir's book Al-Estiab:

Once the Prophet mentioned Khadija near Aisha, Aisha responded: "She was not but a such and such of an old lady, and Allah replaced her with a better one for you." He replied: "Indeed Allah did not grant me better than her; she accepted me when people rejected me, she believed in me when people doubted me, she shared her wealth with me when people deprived me, and Allah granted me children only through her."

Aisha says, after this incident, "I learnt to keep quiet, whenever Khadija's name was mentioned by Muhammad". In another Hadith, Aisha added: "I annoyed Prophet one day and said, 'It is Khadija only who always prevails upon your mind'. Thereupon, Muhammad said, 'Allah Himself had nurtured Her love in my heart'."

Khadijah died in the year of 619 CE which has come to be known as the Year of Sorrow, because of the devastation that it caused him. this would also be the same year in which his uncle and guardian Abu Talib died. Khadijah would be estimated at being roughly around sixty-five years old at the time of her death (having been born in AD 555). Her grave can be found in Jannatul Mualla cemetery, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Scholars place the events of the Year of Sorrow in 619, three years prior to hijra. This death would bring great tragedy to the life of Muhammad as these were two people who provided him great sources of comfort and strength when faced with persecution. It would be these years immediately following the death of Khadijah and his uncle that Muhammad would face persecution not just from those opposed to his message, but also from some who originally followed him but now turned back. During these years Muhammad would face hostility from tribes, and would be faced with ridicule and stoning. However, Muhammad worked to be sure that Khadijah was remembered in the best light, and honored her even after her death. If a gift was sent to Muhammad he would not hesitate to have the gift sent to a woman who was a friend of Khadijah, showing the kindness and compassion that Khadijah exhibited during her life.