ভূমিকা

one to speak with when her beloved husband was away,

preaching and propagating the message. At this time, as a

miracle from God, He gave the foetus in her womb – meaning

Fatima al-Zahra – the ability to speak and console her. As the time of delivery began to draw near, the pains of

labour started. Hoping that now they would change their

minds, Khadijah sent a message to the women of the Quraysh,

her previous friends, seeking their assistance in delivering her

However when approached, unanimously, the women

retorted saying that because she had ignored their suggestions

not to marry Muhammad, they would not help her. Not only was the Prophet sidelined, but in such difficult

times, his wife was also being given the cold shoulder! Khadijah became restless after hearing their reply,

however just as she had never forsaken God, so too her Lord

At this instant, she saw four women enter her room. Looking at them, Khadijah was confused, and so one of them

said, “O Khadijah, do not be grieved! We have come to your

aide by the command of God. We are your sisters: I am Sarah

[the wife of Prophet Ibrahim]; this is Asiyah, the daughter of

Mazahim [the believing wife of the Pharaoh] who shall be

your companion in Paradise; this is Maryam, the daughter of

Imran [the mother of Prophet Isa]; and the fourth is

Kulthum, the sister of Prophet Musa. God has sent us to assist

you at the time of your delivery.”

One of them sat at the right side of Khadijah, the second

on her left, the third facing her and the fourth behind her

head to support her during delivery. As Fatima al-Zahra came into this world, God ordered

ten damsels of paradise to descend – carrying trays and

pitchers filled with water from the fountain of al-Kawthar. The woman standing in front of Khadijah lifted the new

born infant, Fatima, and washed her with the heavenly water. Then, two white pieces of cloth, described as being whiter