Life of Muhammad — Page 215
sa 215 which he could offer as ransom. His wife Zainab ra (the Prophet's sa daughter) sent to Medina a necklace which had belonged to her mother (Khad i ja ra ) and offered it as ransom for her husband. When the Prophet sa saw the necklace he recognized it and was much affected. He said to his Companions: "I have no authority to give any direction in this matter, but I know that this necklace is cherished by Zainab ra as a last memento of her deceased mother and, provided it commends itself to you, I would suggest that she should not be deprived of it and it may be returned to her. " They intimated that nothing would give them greater pleasure and readily adopted his suggestion ( H albiyya, Vol. 2 ). He often praised Khad i ja ra to his other wives and stressed her virtues and the sacrifices that she had made in the cause of Islam. On one such occasion ‘ A ’isha ra was piqued and said: "O Messenger of Allah, why go on talking of the old lady? God has bestowed better, younger and more attractive wives upon you. " The Holy Prophet sa was overcome by emotion at hearing this and protested: "O no, ‘ A ’isha ra ! You have no idea how good Khad i ja ra was to me" ( Bukh a r i ). HIGH MORAL QUALITIES He was always very patient in adversity. He was never discouraged by adverse circumstances nor did he permit any personal desire to get a hold over him. It has been related already that his father had died before his birth and his mother died while he was still a little child. Up to the age of eight, he was in the guardianship of his grandfather and after the latter's death he was taken care of by his uncle, Ab u Ta lib. Both on account of natural affection and also because he had been specially admonished in that behalf by his father, Ab u Ta lib always watched over his nephew with care and indulgence but his wife was not affected by these considerations to the same degree. It often happened