Chapter 1: The Law Of Heredity
One of the issues that have long been established is the fact that attributes of parents are hereditable and can be transferred to their child, from the time it develops in the loins of its father up to when it moves to the womb of the mother where it grows, and after birthing these attributes begin to manifest gradually. In fact, even breastfeeding has an astounding effect on the character of the child who is being fed, and in a narration from Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a), he says: “Do not give your child to a foolish woman to nurse, for Indeed, breastfeeding has effect.”1 And many scholars have written in detail about this principle.
In light of this, it behoves me to mention the biography of the parents of al-Sayyida Fatimah al-Zahra (‘a) So, that we may derive certain conclusions regarding the great status of al-Sayyida Fatimah in relation to her parentage, but this will cause the discussion to lengthen and will change the subject of this book to something else, So, we will suffice with the following brief words:
The Master of the Prophets and Messengers, Muhammad Ibn Abdillah (S) is the purest being, the noblest creation, and the best person in the entire universe. It was for his sake that Allah created the universe. There is no honour, nobility, or virtue in existence but that the greatest possible share of it is found in the Noble Prophet (S). This is a very brief summary of what can be said about the
Prophet (S), and there is no exaggeration or hyperbole in these words, rather it is as we say: ‘clear as the sun is bright and honey, sweet.’
This is the Prophet of Allah (S) from whose loins al-Zahra was conceived.
As for Khadijah, she was of a fair complexion, tall and beautiful. Considered among the honourable ladies of her community, she was wise in her affairs and had great wit. She was insightful and self-confident. She managed her trading caravan brilliantly, understanding the principles of economics, exportation, and importation. This was as far as her attributes as a person or as a woman is concerned.
As for her qualities as a wife, she gave away the great wealth she had earned to her husband, the Prophet, to do with as he saw fit. The wealth of Khadijah had a strong impact on the strengthening of Islam at that time, as the religion of Islam was still in its formative stages and there was a dire need for financial support. Thus, by the Grace of Allah, through the wealth of Khadijah, the goal of Islam was achieved.
The Prophet (S) said: “No wealth ever benefitted me the way the wealth of Khadijah benefitted me!” The Prophet (S) would use her wealth to release those who were indebted and those who were suffering hardships, and to support those who were incapable of supporting themselves. He gave in times of misfortune and assisted his poor companions while in Makkah, and even helped those who wished to migrate [to Madinah]. He spent whatever he needed of it while she was alive and then he and her children inherited [what remained] from her when she passed away2.
From this, the meaning of the Prophet’s (S) words become clear: “The religion was not uplifted or established except by the sword of Ali and the wealth of Khadijah.”
Her behaviour with the Prophet (S) in their married life was worthy of great respect and admiration, and it is for this reason that after her death, whenever the Prophet (S) remembered her or she was mentioned in his presence, he (S) would pray for divine mercy to be showered upon her and would miss her greatly, at times even shedding tears out of sadness for [having lost] her.
One day, when the Prophet (S) mentioned Khadijah, ‘A’ishah said: “…that old lady… Allah has replaced her for you with one who is better than her!” The Prophet (S) replied: “Allah has not replaced her with anyone better than her – she believed in me when all the other people disbelieved me; she accepted me when the others belied me; she made me a partner in her wealth when others deprived me; and Allah blessed me with children from her and deprived me of children from other than her!”3
