The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
After his meeting with Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) and receiving nubuwwah in the cave, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) returned home to Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was trembling in anxiety and fear. The moment he entered the home, he requested his respected wife, Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), to cover him with a shawl.
When his anxiety and fear subsided, he related the entire incident of his meeting with Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) in the cave. He said to her:
لَقَدْ خَشِيْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِيْ
“I feared over my life.”
The Muhadditheen (commentators of Hadith) mention that the fear and worry which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had, of losing his life, was on account of the weight of the wahi and due to the embrace of Hazrat Jibreel [‘alaihis salaam]). In other words, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had feared that his body would not be able to tolerate and bear the immense weight of the wahi and the force of the embrace of Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam), due to which he would pass away. (Sharhuz Zurqaani 1/403-404, Taqreer-e-Bukhaari 1/94-95)
In regard to the immense weight of wahi, Allah Ta‘ala mentions in the Qur’aan Majeed:
اِنَّا سَنُلۡقِیۡ عَلَیۡکَ قَوۡلًا ثَقِیۡلًا ﴿۵﴾
Indeed, We will reveal upon you a very weighty word. (Surah Muzzammil v. 5)
Hazrat Zaid bin Thaabit (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “On one occasion, Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thigh was upon my thigh when he started receiving divine revelation. His thigh suddenly became so unbearably heavy that I was afraid of my thigh being crushed.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #4592)
Some commentators mention that the fear which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had was in regard to whether he will manage to fulfil the great mission and responsibilities of nubuwwah. (Fat-hul Baari 1/31)
Seeing the worry and anxiety of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) immediately comforted him and consoled him. She reassured him that there was no need for him to worry, as Allah Ta‘ala’s divine help is with him on account of the noble qualities and praiseworthy attributes that he possessed.
She said to him, “Nay (there is no need for you to worry and fear)! Accept the glad tidings (of Allah Ta‘ala). By Allah! Allah Ta‘ala will never ever disgrace you, for by Allah, you are the one who maintains good ties with your family, you always speak the truth, you carry the burden of the one in difficulty, you earn for the one who does not possess wealth, you extend hospitality to your guests and you always assist those who are afflicted with natural disasters and calamities.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #4953)
Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) also said, “You have never been close to an immoral woman or committed any immoral act in your life.” (Taareekh Tabari 2/299)
In other words, the message of Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was that a person of your calibre, possessing such purity, excellent qualities and praiseworthy character, who is an embodiment of inner and outer perfection, will not be humiliated by Allah Ta‘ala, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter. Rather, Allah Ta‘ala will bless him with His special mercy and Allah Ta‘ala will shield him from all calamities and misfortunes.
Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) further expressed her happiness before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) over his receiving nubuwwah saying, “By Allah in whose absolute control lies the life of Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha)! I had firm hope that you will be the person chosen by Allah Ta‘ala as His final messenger and the messenger of this ummah.” (Rowdhul Unf 1/406)
With the consolement of Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) heart felt great comfort and relief. Imaam Zuhri (rahimahullah) mentioned that Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was the first person to embrace Islam at the hands of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) after he received nubuwwah. (Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 3/14)
Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) has mentioned that Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was the first woman to embrace Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first free man to embrace Islam, Hazrat Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first freed slave to embrace Islam, and Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first youngster to embrace Islam. (Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 4/73)
