Nafisa (RA): Khadija's Best Friend & Her Nimble Go-Between For Her Marriage to the Best of Creation
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 2023-10-05

- Full talk "Lady Khadija (RA): The Great Woman Behind the Greatest Man ﷺ": https://youtu.be/FhZRfeDt81I
- More Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad: http://mcceastbay.org/rania
- More Womanhood Defined Retreat: http://mcceastbay.org/womanhood
- More sessions for Muslimahs: http://mcceastbay.org/women

It is reported that one of the close friends of Khadija (RA) was a high-born lady of Makka called Nafisa (or Nufaysa) the daughter of Munyah. She was aware that Khadija had turned down many proposals of marriage. At first she wondered if there was any man in Arabia who would come up to the standards set by her. She had discussed the matter many times with Khadija. Finally, she had one more discussion with her which convinced her that she (Khadija) was not impressed by any man's wealth or rank or power. What really impressed Khadija, her friend gathered, was character - a sterling character. Khadija admired only a man of ethical and moral principles.

Nafisa (or Nufaysa) also happened to know that there was such a man in Makka and his name was Muhammad.

It is reported that one day Muhammad was returning home from the Kaaba when Nafisa stopped him, and the following exchange took place between them:

Nafisa: O Muhammad, you are a young man and you are single. Men who are much younger than you, are already married; some even have children. Why don't you marry?

Muhammad: I cannot afford to marry; I am not rich enough to marry.

Nafisa: What would be your response if you could marry a woman of beauty, wealth, status and honor, notwithstanding your present poverty?

Muhammad: Who could be such a woman?

Nafisa: Such a woman is Khadija the daughter of Khuwayled.

Muhammad: Khadija? How is it possible that Khadija would marry me? You know that many rich and powerful princes and chiefs of tribes proposed to her, and she rebuffed them all.

Nafisa: If you are agreeable to marry her, you just say so, and leave the rest to me. I shall arrange everything.

Muhammad wished to inform his uncle and guardian, Abu Talib, about Nafisa's demarche, and to consult him in the matter before giving her an answer.

Abu Talib knew Khadija as well as he knew his own nephew. He welcomed Nafisa's suggestion. There was no doubt in his mind that Muhammad and Khadija would make the ideal couple. He, therefore, gave his blessings to the proposal of their marriage. Thereupon, Muhammad told Nafisa that her suggestion was acceptable to him and that she had the authority to negotiate, on his behalf, his marriage with Khadija.

Once Abu Talib had approved the match, he sent his sister, Safiya, to see Khadija, and to talk with her about the proposed marriage. In the meantime, Nafisa had already done the "groundwork," and Khadija was expecting a visitor from the house of her future in-laws. She cordially received Safiya, entertained her, and told her that she (Khadija) had selected her (Safiya's) nephew to be her (Khadija's) life-partner without any preconditions and reservations. Safiya was very happy with the success of her embassy. Before she left the house, Khadija gave her an elegant robe which she accepted with many expressions of joy and gratitude.

Ustadha  @dr.raniaawaad578  gives comforting spiritual insights about cultivating a life based on the perfect archetype of Lady Khadija bint Khuwaylid (ra), who was the first wife and first follower of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She was also a leader of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca and a successful businesswoman.

Ustadha Rania spoke at a women's retreat about defining womanhood as a Muslim woman. Watch the complete seminar at http://mcceastbay.org/womanhood-retreat

This program was sponsored by the Jannah Institute, The Rahmah Foundation & MCC. It was proudly hosted at Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on November 28, 2021.

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