Woman Between Islam and Western Society
5. Position of Woman in the Islamic Shari‘ah
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whom God chooses to enlist as His helpers.
THE IDEAL LIFE COMPANION
One of Khadijah’s most significant contributions to
the furtherance of Islam was the reassurance which
she gave to the Prophet on the occasion of his
receiving the first divine revelation in the solitude
of the Cave of Hira from the Archangel Gabriel.
This was an experience which left the Prophet
awestruck and trembling with fear. When he
returned to his 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.”
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Then it occurred to Khadijah that she had best make
enquiries of some learned Christians who, well-
