Khawla bint Tha'labah facts for kids

Khawlah bint Tha'labah (Arabic: خولة بنت ثعلبة) was a remarkable woman and one of the female companions of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. Her story is very important because it led to a special verse being revealed in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. This verse is found in the 58th chapter, called Al-Mujadila.

Khawlah's Story and the Quran

Khawlah bint Tha'labah faced a difficult situation in her life. In pre-Islamic times, there was a custom called Zihar. This was a way for a husband to say he would no longer treat his wife as his spouse, often by comparing her to a close female relative like his mother. However, it wasn't a proper divorce, so the wife was left in a very uncertain position.

A Difficult Situation

One day, Khawlah's husband, Aous bin As-Samit, used this Zihar custom towards her. This meant he had said words that, according to the old custom, would separate them without a clear path forward for Khawlah. She was very upset and worried about her future and her children.

Khawlah's Plea to God

Khawlah went to Prophet Muhammad to explain her problem and seek a solution. She spoke to him about her husband's words and how unfair the situation was. She also prayed to God, expressing her sadness and asking for help. Her deep faith and her strong plea to God were very significant.

The Quranic Revelation

Soon after Khawlah's heartfelt prayer and discussion, a special verse was revealed in the Quran. This verse directly addressed her situation and showed that God had heard her. It changed the rules about Zihar, making it clear that such words could not truly end a marriage without proper divorce procedures.

The verse, from Al-Mujadila, verse 1, says:

This verse showed that God listens to everyone, especially those who are in distress and seek justice. It brought comfort and a clear ruling for Khawlah and for all future cases of Zihar, ensuring fairness for women.