Please be sure to read part one of this post to understand the context.
Below is the story of Khadijah (رضي الله عنها) and the impact that her death had on Prophet Muhammad (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم).
She Beleieved in the Prophet (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم)
As an adult, one of the first losses Prophet Muhammad (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم) experienced was of his beloved wife, Khadijah Bint Khuwaliyd (رضي الله عنها). She was a wealthy business woman who gave up all her wealth for Islam and lived a very simple life with Prophet Muhammad (صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم). She was one of the greatest women to ever live and had such a huge impact on the Prophet's (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم) life. He experienced great sorrow in her death and the year she died was forever known as "The Year of Sorrow." She was the first woman and first person to accept Islam and believe in Prophet Muhammad (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم) when he came to her with the revelation.
She Held and Comforted the Prophet (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم)
When the Prophet (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم) received the first revelation from Angel Gabriel, he came to Khadijah scared and his heart trembling. He said to her, "Wrap me up, wrap me up! So they wrapped him till the fear had left him. He then said to Khadija: O Khadija! what has happened to me? and he informed her of the happening, saying: I fear for myself. She replied: It can't be. Be happy. I swear by Allah that He shall never humiliate you. By Allah, you join ties of relationship, you speak the truth, you bear people's burden, you help the destitute, you entertain guests, and you help against the vicissitudes which affect people." (Sahih Muslim). She never doubted him; she never even hesitated. She had full faith in Prophet Muhammad (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم).
The "Princess of Quresh" and the "Pure One" as she was known as, died during Ramadan, the tenth year after the revelation of the Prophethood.
An Extraordinary woman
The Messenger of Allah (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم) said, “The best of the world’s women is Mary (in her lifetime), and the best of the world’s women is Khadijah (in her lifetime).” (Bukhari)
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عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَفْضَلُ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ خَدِيجَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِدٍ وَفَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ وَآسِيَةُ بِنْتُ مُزَاحِمٍ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best of women among the people of Paradise are Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint ‘Imran, and ‘Asiyah bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh.” (Sahih)
Received Glad Tidings From Angel Gabriel (AS)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ أَتَى جِبْرِيلُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذِهِ خَدِيجَةُ قَدْ أَتَتْ مَعَهَا إِنَاءٌ فِيهِ إِدَامٌ أَوْ طَعَامٌ أَوْ شَرَابٌ فَإِذَا هِيَ أَتَتْكَ فَاقْرَأْ عَلَيْهَا السَّلَامَ مِنْ رَبِّهَا وَمِنِّي وَبَشِّرْهَا بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لَا صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلَا نَصَبَ
Abu Huraira reported: The Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, here is Khadijah coming to you with a dish of stew, food and drink. When she arrives before you, greet her with peace on behalf of her Lord and myself. Give her glad tidings of a palace in Paradise made of reeds, wherein there will be no turbulence, nor fatigue.” (Sahih)
Keeping in Touch With Her Friends
One way that Prophet Muhammad remembered her was by keeping in touch with her friends.
عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أُتِيَ بِالشَّيْءِ يَقُولُ اذْهَبُوا بِهِ إِلَى فُلاَنَةٍ فَإِنَّهَا كَانَتْ صَدِيقَةَ خَدِيجَةَ اذْهَبُوا بِهِ إِلَى بَيْتِ فُلاَنَةٍ فَإِنَّهَا كَانَتْ تُحِبُّ خَدِيجَةَ
Anas ibn Malik reported: When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was given something, he would say, “Go to such person, for they were a friend of Khadijah. Go to the house of such person, for they were loved by Khadijah.”
This is actually also the right of a parent after their death. If one or both of your parents die, you are required to keep in touch with their friends and family.
The Prophet (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم) said:
“When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for him.” (At Tirmidhi)
A companion asked the Prophet (صَلّى االلهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم):
“Is there anything left from the goodness I owe my parents I should present to them after their death?” He replied, “Yes, four things: Pray and ask forgiveness for them. Fulfill their pledges. Be kind to their friends. And maintain the ties of kinship that come from only their direction”. (Ahmad, Abu Dawood & ibn Majah)
Wawassayna al-insana biwalidayhi ihsanan hamalat-hu ommuhu kurhan wawadaAAat-hu kurhan wahamluhu wafisaluhu thalathoona shahran hatta itha balagha ashuddahu wabalagha arbaAAeena sanatan qala rabbi awziAAnee an ashkura niAAmataka allatee anAAamta AAalayya waAAala walidayya waan aAAmala salihan tardahu waaslih lee fee thurriyyatee innee tubtu ilayka wa-innee mina almuslimeena.
We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou has bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) in Islam." (Al Ahqaf 46, Ayah 15).