Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) about his divine appointment as the Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala, she was greatly pleased and happy, as this was the reason for her marrying Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and this what she had been eagerly awaiting and anticipating from the time she married him.
She thereafter went alone to her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal, to inform him of what had transpired with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the cave, in order to see whether he had some knowledge regarding this.
Waraqah bin Nawfal was a celebrated scholar of the old and the new testaments. He was busy translating the New Testament from Syriac into Arabic. During the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, he stayed away from idolatry and embraced Christianity. By this time, he was very old and blind. On hearing the entire incident from Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Waraqah remarked:
لئن كنت صدقتني إنه ليأتيه ناموس عيسى
“If you are truthful in whatever you say, verily the same Angel has come to him who used to come to Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam).” (Fat-hul Baari 1/33)
Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) returned from Waraqah bin Nawfal and then decided to take Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to meet Waraqah bin Nawfal and personally give him an account of what had transpired.
On coming to Waraqah bin Nawfal, Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) addressed him saying, “O my cousin! Why don’t you hear what happened to your nephew (in his own words)?”
Waraqah then addressed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying, “O nephew! Tell me, what did you see?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then narrated the entire incident.
The moment Waraqah heard what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, he was immediately convinced that it was the truth and he had accepted Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being appointed as the Rasul of Allah Ta‘ala.
Waraqah then remarked, “Indeed, this is the same angel that used to come to Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam). If only I was strong and powerful at the time of your prophethood when your people will remove you from your land of Makkah (your birthplace), or if only I was alive at that time to assist you.”
Extremely surprised by what he just said, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked, “Will my people really remove me from my land?” Waraqah replied, “Whichever Nabi brought to his people the message that you have been sent with, they showed him enmity and hostility. If I am alive at that time, I will assist you in all earnestness.” However, it was not long after this that Waraqah passed away.
In one narration, it is mentioned that as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was departing, Waraqah kissed him on his forehead. (Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 3/13)
After the meeting with Waraqah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) returned home. Thereafter, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not receive wahi for some time. In some narrations, it is mentioned that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not receive any wahi of the Qur’aan Majeed for three years. (Fat-hul Baari 1/34)
The purpose of wahi being withheld was so that the initial fear that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) experienced would not recur and the desire for acquiring the wahi could increase in his heart. (Sharhuz Zurqaani 1/440)
When the wahi ceased for that period, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) became so saddened and grieved, due to the separation of the wahi and the great desire to acquire the wahi, that he would at times go to the top of a mountain so that he could throw himself off the peak. This was due to the extreme grief that he was experiencing at that time.
However, when this thought would cross his mind, of throwing himself off the peak of the mountain, Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) would immediately come to him and console him saying:
يا محمد إنك رسول الله حقا
O Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Indeed you are truly the messenger of Allah Ta‘ala!
On hearing these words, the blessed heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would gain comfort and solace and he would return home. (Saheeh Bukhaari #6982)
On one occasion, Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying, “If possible, then you should inform me when the angel comes to you again.” Hence, when Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) again arrived, then as promised, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed her of his arrival.
Hazrat Khadijah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to come close to her. As Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came close to her, she removed her scarf, exposing the hair of her head. She then asked, “Are you still able to see Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) now?” When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied in the negative, she remarked, “Glad tidings unto you! By Allah Ta‘ala, really this is an angel that is coming to you. This is not Shaitaan (as angels do not remain in the place where a woman’s hair is exposed).” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #13935, Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 3/16)
