Life-of-Muhammad

Life of Muhammad sa 215which he could offer as ransom. His wife Zainab ra (theProphet's sa daughter) sent to Medina a necklace whichhad belonged to her mother (Khadija ra ) and offered it asransom for her husband. When the Prophet sa saw thenecklace he recognized it and was much affected. Hesaid to his Companions: "I have no authority to give anydirection in this matter, but I know that this necklace ischerished by Zainab ra as a last memento of her deceasedmother and, provided it commends itself to you, I wouldsuggest that she should not be deprived of it and it maybe returned to her." They intimated that nothing wouldgive them greater pleasure and readily adopted hissuggestion (Halbiyya, Vol. 2). He often praised Khadija rato his other wives and stressed her virtues and thesacrifices that she had made in the cause of Islam. Onone such occasion ‘A’isha ra was piqued and said: "OMessenger of Allah, why go on talking of the old lady?God has bestowed better, younger and more attractivewives upon you." The Holy Prophet sa was overcome byemotion at hearing this and protested: "O no, ‘A’isha ra !You have no idea how good Khadija ra was to me"(Bukhari ).HIGH MORAL QUALITIESHe was always very patient in adversity. He wasnever discouraged by adverse circumstances nor did hepermit any personal desire to get a hold over him. It hasbeen related already that his father had died before hisbirth and his mother died while he was still a little child.Up to the age of eight, he was in the guardianship of hisgrandfather and after the latter's death he was takencare of by his uncle, Abu Talib. Both on account ofnatural affection and also because he had been speciallyadmonished in that behalf by his father, Abu Talibalways watched over his nephew with care andindulgence but his wife was not affected by theseconsiderations to the same degree. It often happened