Sayyidah in Arabic means:
“lady”, “high status woman”, “chief woman”.
“lady”, “high status woman”, “chief woman”.
'Religion is a source of oppression', this is often repeated and emphasised in contemporary times. To see religion as s source of liberation is not only seen as odd, but also polemical. This is more so when Muslim women take religion to be at the core of their freedom, empowerment and creativity. Why is it that some people find it difficult to envisage Islam as a religion of justice and equality? Why do Muslim women feel guilty speaking through the lens of their religion? At the centre of this issue is the perceived lack of representation of women, present and historical. However, this is far from reality and it is the result of misconception and poor reading of Islamic history.
Islam, from its inception, was a result of a union based on companionship, love, justice and a mutually shared vision. This was embodied in Sayyidah Khadijah the wife of Prophet Mohammed, who was his main supporter and champion. A brief look at the core features of this relationship could awaken many to the true image of the role of the women in Islam. Indeed, the contributions of Sayyidah Khadijah was one of the very reasons Islam flourishes today as a worldwide religion.
Sayyidah Khadijah was an independent, rich, well-respected merchant who had been previously married. She also had children from her previous marriages. As a noblewoman, she enjoyed privileges in 7th century Arabia not afforded to many women and men alike, which gave her a cosmopolitan access to Yemen and Syria through her trading caravan.
Sayyidah Khadijah held a financial position that was much higher than that of her husband, the Prophet Mohammed, she had more experience in the world and was much older than him - Sayyidah Khadijah married the Prophet at the age of 40 when he was 25. Recognising in him the features of trustworthiness and truthfulness she employed him under her trading venture. It will come as a surprise to many, but it was Sayyidah Khadijah who chose to marry and proposed to the Prophet. In doing so, she assisted him financially and helped with his cause. Sayyidah Khadijah was also a great source of counsel and comfort to the Prophet. He turned to her before anyone else when the revelation came to him. That is, he sought her out first for guidance, help and confirmation.
Islam, at this early critical stage, was therefore defended and financed through with the fundamental help and support of a woman. Her vision, her choice and her endeavour together with a man she loved, respected and chose as a partner. She died defending her choice and suffered hardship for it.
The presence of Sayyidah Khadijah in the early days of Islam was pivotal and the Prophet never forgot his debt to her. We, as women, and not just Muslim women, should feel proud to have such a figure at the very core of a religion, which gave women the freedoms they never had, a movement which has social justice at its core.
But the lessons from the life of Sayyidah Khadijah should not just be a source of pride; we should use her example as a source of deep inspiration to become active and not be passive spectators as the world around us changes. We should also use the example of Sayyidah Kayyidah to step beyond the facile debates about Muslim women. The time has come for us to leave aside the trite arguments: Men Vs Women, Matriarchy Vs Patriarchy and Feminism Vs Status quo. Whilst these debates continue, issues relating to problems women will not be heard and addressed and solutions will not be found.
We can do this by highlighting how Islam is a source of empowerment of women, by using Sayyidah Khadijah as an example of mutual complementarity of genders, a vision of true human harmony when two strong and independent figures come together. This is what we need to highlight to all those who humiliate, disdain and point at Muslim women and women in general.
We are fighting here on two fronts: misinformed men and pseudo-ideologically driven women. The need to be vocal, driven and proud is paramount. To allow ourselves to be on the defensive, to see ourselves as inept or in need will be our failing. Let us stand up and take Sayyidah Khadijah by the hand in order to show the world exactly what a woman - what a Muslim woman - can achieve. For not only did she change history, she is the very reason Muslim women have the honour to speak of our choices within this religion with passion and pride.
Islam, from its inception, was a result of a union based on companionship, love, justice and a mutually shared vision. This was embodied in Sayyidah Khadijah the wife of Prophet Mohammed, who was his main supporter and champion. A brief look at the core features of this relationship could awaken many to the true image of the role of the women in Islam. Indeed, the contributions of Sayyidah Khadijah was one of the very reasons Islam flourishes today as a worldwide religion.
Sayyidah Khadijah was an independent, rich, well-respected merchant who had been previously married. She also had children from her previous marriages. As a noblewoman, she enjoyed privileges in 7th century Arabia not afforded to many women and men alike, which gave her a cosmopolitan access to Yemen and Syria through her trading caravan.
Sayyidah Khadijah held a financial position that was much higher than that of her husband, the Prophet Mohammed, she had more experience in the world and was much older than him - Sayyidah Khadijah married the Prophet at the age of 40 when he was 25. Recognising in him the features of trustworthiness and truthfulness she employed him under her trading venture. It will come as a surprise to many, but it was Sayyidah Khadijah who chose to marry and proposed to the Prophet. In doing so, she assisted him financially and helped with his cause. Sayyidah Khadijah was also a great source of counsel and comfort to the Prophet. He turned to her before anyone else when the revelation came to him. That is, he sought her out first for guidance, help and confirmation.
Islam, at this early critical stage, was therefore defended and financed through with the fundamental help and support of a woman. Her vision, her choice and her endeavour together with a man she loved, respected and chose as a partner. She died defending her choice and suffered hardship for it.
The presence of Sayyidah Khadijah in the early days of Islam was pivotal and the Prophet never forgot his debt to her. We, as women, and not just Muslim women, should feel proud to have such a figure at the very core of a religion, which gave women the freedoms they never had, a movement which has social justice at its core.
But the lessons from the life of Sayyidah Khadijah should not just be a source of pride; we should use her example as a source of deep inspiration to become active and not be passive spectators as the world around us changes. We should also use the example of Sayyidah Kayyidah to step beyond the facile debates about Muslim women. The time has come for us to leave aside the trite arguments: Men Vs Women, Matriarchy Vs Patriarchy and Feminism Vs Status quo. Whilst these debates continue, issues relating to problems women will not be heard and addressed and solutions will not be found.
We can do this by highlighting how Islam is a source of empowerment of women, by using Sayyidah Khadijah as an example of mutual complementarity of genders, a vision of true human harmony when two strong and independent figures come together. This is what we need to highlight to all those who humiliate, disdain and point at Muslim women and women in general.
We are fighting here on two fronts: misinformed men and pseudo-ideologically driven women. The need to be vocal, driven and proud is paramount. To allow ourselves to be on the defensive, to see ourselves as inept or in need will be our failing. Let us stand up and take Sayyidah Khadijah by the hand in order to show the world exactly what a woman - what a Muslim woman - can achieve. For not only did she change history, she is the very reason Muslim women have the honour to speak of our choices within this religion with passion and pride.