The life of the Prophet Muhammad - Ibn Kathir - volume 2 of 4

88 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
And were it not for God's having forbidden us seeking forgiveness for
disbelievers, we would certainly seek such forgiveness and mercy for him.
DIVISION
On the death of Khadija, daughter of Khuwaylid and reference to some of her
qualities and virtues, may God bless and please her and make the gardens of
paradise her place of dwelling and repose. And He has indeed done that in a
reference made by him who is truthful and believed, in which he announced her
being in a home in paradise made of pearl shell where there is neither discord nor
distress.
Ya'qah h. Sufyan said, "Aba Salih related to us, from al-Layth, who said that
Wqayl related to him from Ibn Shihzh, as follows, "Urwa h. al-Zuhayr said,
"Khadija had died before the prayer was made obligatory."'"
This was related also in another path from al-Zuhri which had him say,
"Khadija died at Mecca before the departure of the Messenger of God (SAAS)
for Medina, and before the prayer was made obligatory."
Muhammad h. Ishaq stated, "Khadija and Aba Talih died in the same year."
Al-Bayhaqi stated, "I was informed that Khadija died three days after the
death of Aba Tzlib. It was 'Abd Allah b. Mandah who mentioned this in his hook
al-Ma'rifa (Knowledge), as did our sheikh Aba 'Abd All&, the ha&.
Al-Bayhaqi stated, "Al-Wzqidi claimed that Khadija and Aba Talib both died
in the same year they came out of the enclave, that is, three years before the
emigration, and also that Khadija died 35 days before the death of Aba Talih."
My comment is that they mean before the five daily prayers were made ohligatory,
on the "night journey".
It would have been more appropriate for us to make reference to the deaths of
Aha Tdih and Khadija before the account of the "night journey", as al-Bayhaqi
and others did. We have postponed it till after the "night journey" for a reason
that you will see shortly. Discussion of this will effectively harmonize and order
this section, as you will find, if God so wills it.
Al-Bukhari stated, "Qutayha related to us, quoting Muhammad h. Fudayl h.
Ghazwan, from Wmzra, from Aba Znr'a, from Aba Hurayra, who said, 'Gabriel
came to the Messenger of God (SAAS), and said, "0 Messenger of God, this is
Khadija who has brought a vessel of shortening - or food and drink. When she
comes to you greet her from her Lord and from me and give her news of a
house in paradise made of pearl shell and where there is neither discord nor
distress." "'
Muslim related this from a hadith transmitted from Muhammad h. Fudayl.
Al-Bukhwi stated, "Musaddad related to us, from Yahya, from Ismacil, who
said, 'I asked 'Ahd All& b. Aba Awfa, "Did the Messenger of God (SAAS) give
glad tidings to Khadija?" He replied, 'LYes, of a house of pearl shell devoid of
discord or distress."'"