Khadija bint Khuailid was an exemplary woman of her era. Born into the noble Quraish tribe and the distinguished Bani Asad clan, she was the daughter of Khuailid Ibn Asad Ibn Abdul-Uzza Ibn Qusayy Ibn Kilab. Revered for her chastity, Khadija was raised in a household of honor and leadership, fifteen years before the Year of the Elephant. Her upbringing in such an esteemed environment instilled in her qualities of rationality and respectability. Renowned for her strictness, intelligence, and decency, she earned the admiration and respect of her tribe’s elite.
Khadija’s first marriage was to Abu Halah Ibn Zararah of the Tamimi tribe, with whom she had two children, Halah and Hind. After Abu Halah’s passing, she married ‘Ateeq Ibn A’iz Ibn Abdullah from the Bani Makhzum tribe. Although this marriage did not last, it further shaped her resilient character.
Afterward, Khadija turned down numerous marriage proposals from distinguished men, choosing instead to dedicate herself to her children and her business. As a wealthy woman, she employed men to manage her trading ventures as partners.
Impressed by the honesty, integrity, and excellent character of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before his prophethood, Khadija entrusted him with her trade operations, sending him to Ash-Sham (Syria) with her servant, Maysarah. She offered him a higher compensation than others. The Prophet accepted and embarked on the journey, achieving significant profits by Allah’s grace. While Khadija was delighted with the commercial success, she was even more impressed by Muhammad’s ﷺ noble qualities, which deepened her admiration for him.
Khadija found herself emotionally drawn to Muhammad ﷺ experiencing feelings she had never felt before. Despite her attraction, she worried about the age difference—she was forty, while he was twenty-five—and how she could propose to him after turning down many prominent men of Quraish.
In her moment of contemplation, her friend Nufaysa Bint Munabbih visited her and noticed Khadija’s troubled state. After much persuasion, Khadija confided in her friend, who reassured her by highlighting Muhammad’s ﷺ good character, noble lineage, and virtues that surpassed those of her previous suitors.
Nufaysa, understanding the depth of Khadija’s feelings, took the initiative to speak to Muhammad ﷺ. She approached him and asked why he had not yet married. Muhammad ﷺ replied that he could not afford marriage. Nufaysa then hinted at a potential match and asked if he would consider someone eligible. Curious, Muhammad ﷺ inquired about the identity of this person, and Nufaysa revealed it was Khadija Bint Khuailid. Muhammad ﷺ expressed his willingness if she agreed.
Nufaysa rushed back to Khadija with the good news. Meanwhile, Muhammad ﷺ informed his uncles of his desire to marry Khadija. Subsequently, Abu Talib, Hamza, and other family members approached Khadija’s uncle, Amr Ibn Asad, to formally propose and offer the dowry.
The marriage was celebrated with great joy. Numerous animals were slaughtered and distributed among the poor, and the wedding party was held at Khadija’s house, marking the beginning of their blessed union.
Khadija, May Allah Be Pleased With Her: The Devoted Wife
When Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, became the wife of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, she exemplified unparalleled love and support for her husband. Recognizing Muhammad’s ﷺ affection for Zayed Ibn Haritha, she generously gifted her servant to him.
Similarly, she welcomed Ali Ibn Abu Talib, Muhammad’s ﷺ cousin, into their household. Knowing that Abu Talib had many children and Muhammad ﷺ wished to assist by raising one of them, Khadija, with her characteristic warmth and kindness, embraced Ali as a member of their family.
Allah, the Exalted, bestowed abundant blessings upon their union, gifting them with both sons and daughters. Their sons were Al-Qasim and Abdullah, and their daughters were Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatima, may Allah be pleased with them.
Muhammad ﷺ, as Allah willed, had a deep inclination towards solitary worship. He would retreat to a cave on Mount Hira’ for days, subsisting on minimal provisions, seeking distance from the idol worship and frivolous activities of Mecca’s inhabitants.
Though Khadija found it challenging to be apart from Muhammad ﷺ, she respected his desire for solitude in worship. She endeavored to provide him with peace and comfort, even sending servants to guard him during his time in the cave of Hira’, ensuring they did not disturb his devotion.
The Revelation and Khadija’s Support
One day, Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be upon him, came to Muhammad ﷺ with Allah’s message while he was in the cave of Hira’ during the month of Ramadan. Upon receiving the divine revelation, Muhammad ﷺ returned home frightened, pale, and trembling, asking to be covered. Seeing his distress, Khadija reassured him, saying, “Allah shall never subject you to any indignity… for you always maintain ties with your kin, are generous in giving, diligent, and seek what others deem unattainable. You honor your guests and support those who seek justice. Stay firm, O cousin, for by Allah, I know He will only deal with you beautifully. I testify that you are the awaited Prophet of this nation, and your time has come, if Allah wills.”
Khadija’s words provided immense comfort to Muhammad ﷺ. She then took him to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal, to recount the incident. Waraqah listened carefully and said, “By Allah, this is the great angel who came to Moses and ‘Isa and is familiar to the Children of Israel! By the One in whose hand is my soul, you are the Prophet of this nation. You will be rejected, hurt, expelled, and fought. Oh, how I wish I could be there to support you and assist in your mission!” He then kissed Muhammad’s ﷺ head. Muhammad ﷺ, peace and blessings be upon him, asked, “Will they expel me?” Waraqah replied, “Yes, none has claimed what you claim without being fought.”
Khadija’s Generosity
Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, was known for her kindness and generosity. She offered Halima as-Sa’diyyah, the woman who had nursed Muhammad ﷺ, peace and blessings be upon him, forty sheep as a gift to honor her role in nurturing her beloved husband.
Khadija’s Struggle for Islam
Khadija inevitably faced harassment alongside her husband, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, peace and blessings be upon him. Those who once called him al-Sadiq (the truthful) and al-Amin (the honest) were now his tormentors. Despite this, Khadija embraced Islam without hesitation and became the Prophet’s greatest supporter.
Yahya ibn Afeef recounts an event from the period of jahiliyya (before the advent of Islam) when he visited Mecca and was hosted by al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle. Yahya describes witnessing a man praying near the Ka’ba at sunrise, soon joined by a young boy and a woman. They prayed in unison, bowing, standing, and prostrating together. Intrigued, Yahya asked al-Abbas about them. Al-Abbas explained, “That man is Muhammad ﷺ ibn Abdullah, my nephew. The young boy is Ali, son of Abu Talib. The woman is Khadija, daughter of Khuwaylid, my nephew’s wife.” This incident is documented in the Sahih collections of both Imam Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi.
Khadija stood by her husband and the early Muslim community, enduring persecution from the polytheists and aristocrats of Quraysh. She sacrificed her wealth to support the nascent Islamic movement, seeking Allah’s pleasure. Her life changed dramatically as she watched her beloved husband being hurt and rejected, labeled a liar, magician, or poet. She bid farewell to her daughter Ruqayyah, who migrated with her husband Uthman Ibn Affan and other Muslims to Abyssinia to escape Quraysh’s torture.
During the harsh boycott imposed by Quraysh, which aimed to isolate the Muslims politically, economically, and socially, Khadija stood by the believers in Abu Talib’s valley. She left the comfort of her home and endured three years of hunger, struggle, and suffering, despite being sixty-five years old at the time. Her resilience and dedication were instrumental in supporting the early Muslim community during its most challenging times.
Her Death, May Allah Be Pleased With Her
Three years after enduring the harsh siege, Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away, just three years before the Hijra (the migration to Medina). This period became known as “the Year of Sadness” because the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, lost two of his closest supporters: his uncle Abu Talib, who had always protected him, and his beloved wife Khadija.
Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, died in the month of Ramadan, ten years after the Prophetic mission began and 25 years after her marriage to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. She was 65 years old at the time of her passing.
She was laid to rest at Hajun, on the outskirts of Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, personally dug her grave and buried her. At that time, the funeral prayers (salat al-janaza) had not yet been mandated in Islam. It is said that by the time of her death, Khadija had given all her wealth to support the spread of Islam; she left behind no gold dinar, silver dirham, or any material possessions.
Her Merits, May Allah Be Pleased With Her
Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, holds a distinguished place among the four most perfect women of all time, alongside Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Maryam bint ‘Imran (Mary, daughter of Amram), mother of Jesus, and niece of Prophet Zakariyya, and ‘Asiya, daughter of Muzahim, wife of Pharaoh.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) often spoke fondly of Khadija after her death, so much so that his youngest wife, ‘Ayesha, daughter of Abu Bakr, felt intense jealousy. She once remarked, “…But she was only an old woman with red eyes, and Allah has compensated you with a better and younger wife (meaning herself).” This statement deeply upset the Prophet (peace be upon him), who responded, “No, indeed; He has not compensated me with anyone better than her. She believed in me when others disbelieved; she held me truthful when others called me a liar; she sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me; and Allah granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other women.”
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Hatim, al-Dulabi, al-Tabari, and many others, all quote ‘Ayesha saying: “One day, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) mentioned Khadija affectionately, so I was carried away by jealousy and said about her what I should not have said. It was then that his face changed color in a way I never saw it change except when he (peace be upon him) was receiving revelation. Realizing my mistake, I felt overwhelmed with regret and uttered these words: ‘O Lord! If You remove the anger of Your Messenger right now, I pledge never to speak ill of her as long as I live.’ Seeing my remorse, he forgave me and narrated to me some of her merits.”
Both Muslim and Bukhari, in their respective Sahih collections, highlight one of Khadija’s significant merits: the Lord of Dignity sent Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be upon him, to convey His regards to her.
Gabriel said to Muhammad (peace be upon him): “O Muhammad! Khadija is bringing you a bowl of food; when she comes to you, tell her that her Lord greets her, and convey my greeting to her as well.” When the Prophet (peace be upon him) relayed this to her, she responded, “Allah is the Peace, and He is the source of all peace, and upon Gabriel be peace.” Gabriel, peace be upon him, then informed the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that Allah Almighty has prepared for Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, a serene house made of pearls in paradise.
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