Khadija bint Khuwaylid

The Name and Lineage of Lady Khadijah

Lady Khadijah's name and lineage were as follows: She was Khadijah bint Khuwaylid ibn Asad al-Qurashiyyah, and her mother was Fatimah bint Zaidah al-Amiriyyah. Her nickname was Umm al-Qasim, and in the pre-Islamic era, she was known as "al-Tahirah". She is the mother of the believers, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the mother of his children. She was the first person to believe in him and confirm his prophethood when Allah revealed His revelation to him. She took him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who informed him that he was the prophet of the nation.

The Birth and Upbringing of Lady Khadijah

Lady Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, was born in Mecca in the year sixty-eight before the Hijrah (migration to Medina). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was fifteen years younger than her. She was raised and nurtured in a prominent and noble household, making her one of the nobility of the Quraysh tribe and among their elite.

Her family's wealth and the reputation of her ancestors were well-known throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Every year, she would send men on trade expeditions to the land of Sham (Greater Syria). She displayed precision and discernment in selecting trustworthy individuals to safeguard her wealth and ensure profitable returns. She chose experienced and sincere traders known for their honesty, integrity, and purity of character.

When she heard of the honesty and integrity of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the gravity of his speech, she offered to send him on a trading journey to the land of Sham. He embarked on this journey to the market of Busra in Hauran on her behalf, and he returned victorious and profitable. What caught her attention was his exemplary character, his modesty, and his trustworthiness. She was drawn to him and desired him as her husband.

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid's Husbands and Children Before Marrying the Prophet

Before marrying the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Khadijah, the mother of the believers, had been married twice, and from these marriages, she had four children. Here are the details:

• Atiq bin Abid bin Mukhzum: Khadijah had a daughter named Hind from this marriage. Hind embraced Islam and got married, but there is no mention of her narrating any hadith from the Prophet (peace be upon him).
• Abu Halah bin Zurarah al-Asadi al-Tamimi (Malik bin al-Nabash): Khadijah had a son named Hind from this marriage as well. Hind became known for his narration of the Prophet's characteristics. Abu Umar said about him, "He was eloquent and articulate. He described the Prophet (peace be upon him) beautifully and accurately". He was martyred alongside Ali ibn Abi Talib during the Battle of the Camel. Khadijah also had a daughter named Hala from this marriage, who embraced Islam. Ibn Hibban said about Hala, "Hala bint Khadijah was the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and she had companionship with him".

After the death of her second husband, Khadijah refrained from entertaining marriage proposals and turned down all those who sought her hand in marriage. Despite her status, wealth, and beauty, many men from the Quraysh and their nobility sought her hand in marriage and offered substantial dowries, but she declined marriage to any of them.

Khadijah was deeply involved in trade and expanding her wealth. She employed men to conduct trade on her behalf, choosing experienced and trustworthy individuals known for their honesty, integrity, and purity of character. Her tribe became renowned for their trade to the lands of Sham (Greater Syria) and Yemen, both in the summer and winter seasons. Allah described them in the Quran: "For the accustomed security of the Quraysh, their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer" (Quran, Surah Quraysh, 106:1-2).

The Marriage of Lady Khadijah to the Prophet

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, approximately fifteen years before the revelation of the Quran. At the time of their marriage, Khadijah was about forty years old, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was twenty-five years old. Their marriage was arranged by Khadijah's uncle, Amr ibn Asad.

The reason for their marriage was that Khadijah, a woman of noble lineage, wealth, and business acumen, used to hire men to trade on her behalf in the markets of Sham (Greater Syria). She had heard of the Prophet's impeccable character, honesty in speech, and trustworthiness. She offered him a business proposal to trade on her behalf in Sham, promising to pay him twice the amount she paid to other traders. The Prophet accepted her proposal.

Accompanied by a young man named Maisarah, the Prophet traveled with Khadijah's trade caravan to the Sham region. They took shelter under a tree near a monk's hermitage. The monk inquired about the Prophet and, learning that he was from the Quraysh tribe, remarked, "No one ever stops under this tree except for a prophet".

During the journey, the Prophet conducted successful trade, earning twice the usual profits. Maisarah informed Khadijah about their prosperous trade venture, which delighted her. She sent a message to the Prophet, expressing her admiration for his character, noble lineage, and trustworthiness.

Khadijah proposed marriage to the Prophet, and when he accepted, she sought the approval of her uncles: Abu Talib, Hamza, and Abbas. They approached Khadijah's uncle, who agreed to the marriage proposal, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Khadijah. This union marked the beginning of a loving and supportive marriage between the Prophet and Lady Khadijah, which endured until her passing.

The Children of Lady Khadija from the Prophet

Lady Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, bore several children to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after their blessed marriage. These children included:

• Zainab: She was the eldest daughter of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Khadijah.
• Ruqayyah: She was the second daughter of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Khadijah.
• Umm Kulthum: She was another daughter born to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Khadijah.
• Fatimah al-Zahraa: She was the youngest daughter of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Khadijah and is known for her remarkable piety and status among the believers.

Additionally, Khadijah gave birth to two sons:

• Qasim: He was the first son born to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Khadijah and was given the nickname "Abu al-Qasim".
• Abdullah: Also known as "al-Tayyib" and "al-Tahir," he was the second son of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Khadijah. Unfortunately, both Qasim and Abdullah passed away at a young age.

It's worth mentioning that all of the Prophet's children, except for his son Ibrahim, were born to Khadijah. Ibrahim was born to Maria, a concubine.

The Virtues of Lady Khadijah

The First Person Who Did the Prophet Seek Refuge with After Receiving Revelation

After the first revelation came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) while he was in the Cave of Hira, he sought refuge with Lady Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). Frightened and overwhelmed by the experience, he asked her to cover him, and she comforted him until his fear subsided. He then informed her about what had happened and how he had feared for his life. In response, Lady Khadijah reassured him, saying, "No, by Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously, and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones".

Khadijah then took him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who was knowledgeable about the Torah and the Bible. Waraqah confirmed to the Prophet that he had been chosen as a prophet.

The First Among Women to Embrace Islam

Lady Khadijah was the first person to embrace Islam and believe in what was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him). Her faith and support were pivotal in the early days of Islam.

Her Support and Confirmation of the Prophet

Khadijah played a crucial role in confirming the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and supporting him. She stood by his side and eased his burden when people rejected and denied his message. She provided solace and comfort to him.

Khadijah, One of the Best Women of Paradise

Khadijah is among the best women of Paradise, and Allah has paired her virtues with those of Mary, the daughter of Imran. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The best of its women is Mary, the daughter of Imran, and the best of its women is Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid".

Allah's Peace Upon Her

Allah sent peace upon her through the angel Gabriel, and she was informed by the Prophet that she had a house in Paradise made of hollow pearls without any noise or inconvenience.

The Prophet Did Not Marry Anyone Else During Her Lifetime

The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not marry any other woman while Khadijah was alive because she fulfilled all his needs and he had a special love for her. This virtue was unique to Lady Khadijah among the wives of the Prophet.

Characteristics of Lady Khadija

Chastity and Purity

Chastity and purity were the prominent qualities that defined Lady Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). In the pre-Islamic society filled with immorality and wrongdoing, she was known as "Al-Tahira," which indicates that she had reached a level of purity and chastity worthy of such a title. This purity is akin to how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known as "Al-Sadiq Al-Amin" (the Truthful and Trustworthy) in the same society, where finding individuals with such qualities was rare.

Wisdom and Prudence

Khadijah was known for her decisiveness and intelligence. This was evident in her ability to manage her business affairs, her wise choice in marrying the Prophet (peace be upon him), and how she presented herself to him, preserving her dignity and elevating her status. Her reception of the revelation and her acceptance of it as an extraordinary event, free from superstitions, along with her eloquence in reassuring and comforting the Prophet (peace be upon him), all reflected her wisdom.

Patience in the Face of Adversity and Support for the Prophet

This wise woman did not waver in her confidence in the Prophet (peace be upon him) or in his mission, even when it caused some of her family members to resent him and mistreat them both, as seen in the divorce of their daughters. Instead, her patience and prayers eventually led Allah to replace them with more virtuous and prosperous spouses. Khadijah's contentment, her intentions, and her steadfastness during the period of the siege, along with her continuous support for Islam and the Muslims, highlight her unwavering commitment to the faith.

The Death of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Lady Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away in the tenth year after the start of the prophetic mission. This occurred during the period of the economic and social boycott against the Banu Hashim clan. At the time of her passing, Khadijah was around sixty-five years old. She was buried in the cemetery of Hujun, and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, participated in her burial. However, no funeral prayer was held, as it was not obligatory. Her death followed shortly after the passing of the Prophet's uncle, Abu Talib.

The year of Khadijah's death was known as the "Year of Grief" due to the consecutive tragedies that befell the Prophet, including the loss of his uncle and then his beloved wife.

It's worth noting that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, maintained a deep and loving remembrance of Khadijah throughout his life. He would often speak highly of her, even in front of his other wives. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated, "Whenever the Prophet, peace be upon him, mentioned Khadijah, he would speak of her in the best terms and praise her. I became jealous and said, 'It is as if there is no woman on Earth except Khadijah.' He would respond, 'She believed in me when people rejected me, she affirmed my truthfulness when people accused me of falsehood, she supported me with her wealth when people deprived me, and Allah blessed me with children through her when others were barren.'"

Khadijah's unwavering support, faith, and sacrifices for the sake of Islam left a lasting legacy and a profound impact on the Prophet's life.