Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
5. Muslim women
~ 78 ~
home, he was still overwhelmed by a feeling of
dread and, as he entered, he asked Khadijah to wrap
him in a blanket. After some time, when in some
measure he had regained his mental equilibrium, he
related the entire experience to her, expressing his
fears that his life was in danger. She hastened to
reassure him, and comforted him by observing, “It
cannot be. God will surely never forsake you. You
are kind to your kin; you always help the weak; you
solace the weary; you take care of whoever crosses
your threshold; you speak the truth.”
67
Then it occurred to Khadijah that she had best make
enquiries of some learned Christians who, well,
versed as they were in the scriptures, were bound to
have knowledge of revelation and prophethood.
She went first to a
rahib
(hermit) who lived near
Mecca. On seeing her, the priest asked, “O noble
lady of the Quraysh, what has brought you here?”
Khadijah replied, “I have come here to ask you
about Gabriel” To this the
rahib
said, “Glory be to
God, he is God’s pure angel. He visits prophets: he
came to Jesus and Moses.” Then Khadijah went to
another Christian called Addas. She put the same
question to him, and he too told her that Gabriel
