She was one of the noblest women in Makkah, coming from a very prominent family. She was also exquisitely beautiful, despite her 40 years, and considerably wealthy, being one of the few prominent businesswoman in the lad. The most prominent and wealthy men in society had asked for her hand. Yet, she rejected them all; already being a widow, she had lost the desire to marry again.

Until he came into her life. He was young man of 25, and although he was also of noble lineage, he was an orphan and was not a man of many means. Yet, he had an impeccable moral character, and he was widely known as one of the most honest men around. That is what attracted her to him.

His love for her never died, even after her death, so much so, that his later wife became jealous of her. Once she asked him if his first wife had been the only woman worthy of his love. He replied, "she believed in me when no one else did, she accepted me when people rejected me, and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand."

I can find no love story more true, more spiritually uplifting, more beautiful. I cannot help but reflect upon, what is to me, the greatest of all love stories - perhaps the greatest love story rarely told and rarely acknowledged - that of Muhammad (SAW) and Khadijah (RA).

Listen to this.

He stepped inside his home, he was overwhelmed with fear.
An angel came with words from God, things were still unclear.
Saying 'read, read' but he could not read, amazing words that he heard.
A trembling deep inside his heart, confused by what had occurred.

There was only one who could comfort him,
To help him see the light.
To ease his fears, to reassure
Was khadijah, his wife.

He said 'zamilooni, zamilooni, dathirooni, dathirooni' (envelop me, embrace me),
A mighty task has come before me,
I need you here with me,
By my side.

She was a woman of nobility, successful in all her trade.
Many wealthy men had asked for her, she turned them all away.
But when she saw Muhammad, a shining moon, may peace be on his soul.
He was a light for her, so right for her, her life will now be whole.

But she had never seen him so distressed, as he was there that day.
But she would comfort him, and hold him tight, and chase his doubts away.

He said 'zamilooni, zamilooni, dathirooni, dathirooni' (envelop me, embrace me),
A mighty task has come before me,
I need you here with me,
By my side.

We look for stories of love, in places dark and cold.
When we have a guiding light, for the whole world to behold.
But we're so selfish in our ways, to the ones we hold so close.
Our own pleasure and happiness is what we value most.

But she sacrificed all her wealth and everything she had.
And he honored her, and gave her faith,
When the times were bad, when the times were bad.

Now years have passed, times have changed, since Khadijah breathed her last.
And the Message of the one true God, was spreading far and vast.
But then he came across some jewellery, that Khajidah had once worn.
His eyes began to swell with tears, his heart again began to mourn.

Cause she was there for him, when times were rough, and his enemies were cruel.
She was the first believer, so keen and eager, to comfort ar-Rasool.

He said 'zamilooni, zamilooni, dathirooni, dathirooni' (envelop me, embrace me),
A mighty task has come before me,
I need you here with me,
By my side.

Mawlaya salli wa sallim da’iman abada.
Ala habibika khayril khalqi kullihimi...Rasullullah.
(O my Leader, send your salutations and blessings forever
Upon Your Beloved, the best of the whole of creation).

 - From the song Zamilooni by Native Deen

2 Comments