SITI KHADIJAH (RA) - A MODERN WOMAN AHEAD OF HER TIMES

When it comes to looking for a female archetype, let us look no further than Siti Khadijah binte Khuwalid (RA), the first wife of Rasulullah (SAW) and also the first woman to become a Muslim. Her upright character made the people of her clan call her At-Tahirah, an Arabic adjective, which means the chaste or the pure. As a highly respectable businesswoman, her morals as a widow were much more admired by the men of her clan, and her business was the talk of the town.

While women today are encouraged to make the first move in seeking love instead of griping about the lack of gender equality, Siti Khadijah(RA) had already done so hundreds of years ago! Not only that, she, a widow, had married a man who was 15 years younger than her, a move that despite being accepted in today's society, would still raise some eyebrows here. Indeed by accounts of her character as a successful and wealthy businesswoman,one would have thought that Siti Khadijah(RA) was a woman living in a contemporary society. Her sense of initiative entrepreneurial instinct, and strategic planning in hiring the right man to trade for her business was a eternal lesson from which modern women can learn.

While women today find it a challenge to juggle both their career and family, Siti Khadijah (RA) not only had a thriving business but also a wonderful relationship with her husband, for she was a loving and supportive wife to Rasulullah(SAW), especially during the times when Rasulullah (SAW) was just beginning to spread the teachings of Islam. Instead of admonishing her husband for sprouting nonsense when he came from the Cave of Hira' upon meeting with Angel Jibrael, she stood by him and offered him encouragement as well as reassurance that he would be a good prophet to his people.

While she, who was use to living in luxury, could have abandoned him during the times of hardship when the tribe of Hashim was ostracised and boycotted by the tribe of Quraish, she let behind all the amenties of life her prosperity provided and joined him in the gorge where they were seeking refuge. Her actions were all the more admirable considering the fact that she was not a member of the clan and that she was over sixty years of age; the siegeand boycott resulted in adverse effects on her health, leaving her very weak and ill. It is without doubt that Siti Khadijah(RA) must have been an extraordinary woman to rise up to the challenge of being a prophet's wife.The prophet (SAW) himself often used to mention her qualities saying:
"She (Khadijah) believed in me while others rejected my call. She affirmed my truthfulness when people called me a liar.She spent her wealth to lighten the burden of my sorrow when other had forsaken me" (At-Tirmidzi)

Truly, Siti Khadijah(RA) is an excellent role model worthy of contemplation and imitation for all women today - as a non- beleiving lady who lived by morals and principles, as an astute woman who took the initiative in seeking Mr Right, as a wife who stood by her husband in difficult times, as a believer who showed no hesitation to accept the truth, and finally, as a staunch supporter to her new belief with various forms of personal sacrifices.