The strength of character and noble qualities of Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) earned her the honor of being greeted with Salaam by Allaah through His Angel Jibreel [Gabriel (‘Alayhis-salaam)]. She was the first woman ever to be so honored.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) was the essence of truth, integrity, modesty, good manners and nobility. Having been nurtured in an atmosphere of wealth and luxury, she was generous, wise and understanding. She was the first person to have an abiding faith in the utterances of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and to accept Islam as her way of life. She was the first wife of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and he did not marry again during her lifetime.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) was born in Makkah in the year 556 C.E. before the year of the Elephant by 15 years. She used to be called At-Taahirah (the pure) before the advent of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Her mother’s name was Fatimah bint Za‘idah and her father’s name was Khuwaylid ibn Asad. He was a very popular leader among the tribe of Quraish and a very prosperous business man who died while fighting in the famous battle of Fujjar.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) thus grew up in the lap of luxury. She married Abu Halah Malak ibn Zarrarah ibn Nabbash ibn At-Tamimi and she bore him two children, Halah and Hind. She wanted to see her husband prosper and financed him in setting up a big business, but he passed away. Sometime later, the young widow married ‘Ateeq ibn ‘Aith ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Makhzumi, and she had a daughter by him as well, named Hindah. But the marriage did not last. After this, all her attention was devoted to the upbringing of her children and building up the business she inherited from her father.
Her cleverness, shrewdness and business acumen made hers one of the most widespread businesses among the Quraish. Her policy was to employ hard-working, honest and perceptive administrators to deal on her behalf. There was no network of travel and communication as there is today, and a lot depended on the integrity of the employees who traveled far and wide on her behalf. She exported her goods to far away markets like Syria, and her administrators bought goods from those markets to be sold at home. Makkah, being strategically located on the trading caravan routes and the center of international trade fairs, was a very profitable market for the goods brought back. The administrators would get fifty percent of the profit and this was enough incentive for them.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) had heard of the integrity, honesty and principled behavior of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and sent a job offer to him to head her trading caravans. He gladly accepted the offer and started working for her. Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) sent him on a business trip; her old and trusted slave Maisarah being delegated to accompany and serve him.
This trip proved to be an extremely profitable venture and Maisarah was astounded by some very remarkable scenes he witnessed on this trip. He was impressed and completely won over by the Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) integrity, strength of character, adherence to principles, his amicable dealings and his business abilities.
When he returned home, Maisarah reported to Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) all that had taken place on the trip to Syria. She was deeply moved and impressed and started thinking of proposing marriage to Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). But how could she express her thoughts to him? She had already rejected several proposals of marriage from men belonging to some of the noblest families of the Quraish. How would her tribe react? What would her family say? And what was more, would her proposal be acceptable to this young, yet unmarried man of the tribe of Quraish?
One of her close friends, Nafeesah bint Manbah knew of her inclination to propose marriage to the Prophet. One day she told Khadijah that what was bothering her so much was not a major problem and she herself would help her to solve it. She immediately went to Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and without much fuss requested his permission to ask him a very personal question. When he said he had no objection, she asked why he had not yet married. He said he did not have the financial resources to do so. Then she asked him if he would be willing to marry a beautiful woman from a noble and wealthy family, who was inclined towards marriage with him. He asked who she was referring to. When he learned her identity, he said that he was willing if she was willing to marry him. Of course, Khadijah was overjoyed. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was then twenty-five years of age and Khadijah was forty years old, (according to one tradition, she was twenty-eight).
The two uncles of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Hamzah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and Abu Taalib approached her uncle ‘Umar ibn Asad with the formal proposal. It was accepted, and the date was fixed. The two families began preparing for the wedding. On the date that had been fixed, families and friends gathered, and the marriage was solemnized. Barakah (Umm Ayman) who nursed the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in his infancy was specially invited to the wedding and traveled to Makkah from her village. When she left after the festivities, Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) presented her with household goods, a camel and forty goats as an expression of gratitude to the woman who had taken care of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in his infancy.
‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) reported that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not marry any other woman till her [Khadijah’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha)] death. [Muslim]
They lived together in peace and harmony for more than 24 years. It was in her house that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) received the revelations of Allaah (Ta’ala) through the Angel Jibreel.
During the siege that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) underwent in Makkah, in the Shi’b, she was there by his side, constantly supportive and sacrificing all the comforts of life.
The Divine Inspiration started to be revealed to Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) was very blessed in the marriage and had six children: first two sons, Al-Qasim and ‘Abdullaah; followed by daughters, Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Khulthum and Fatimah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum). They were wonderful, intelligent children and it was a very happy, peaceful and content household. But all this did not seem enough. Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) felt something was missing, and he was extremely restless. He would retire for a month once a year to the Cave of Hira’ to dedicate himself entirely to prayer and meditation.
‘Aishah [the mother of the faithful believers (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha)] narrated: The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go into seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allaah Alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He would take food for the journey and his stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadijah to take food for the journey likewise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: “I do not know how to read.” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) added: “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. Then he released me and again asked me to read and I replied: ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. Then he released me and again asked me to read but again I replied: ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said: ‘Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists), created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.” (96:1-3) Then Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid and said: “Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said: “I fear that something may happen to me.” Khadijah replied: “Never! By Allaah, Allaah 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 accompanied him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Naufal ibn Asad ibn ‘Abdul ‘Uzza, who, during the pre-Islamic period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allaah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadijah said to Waraqah: “Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!” Waraqah asked: “O my nephew! What have you seen?” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) described whatever he had seen. Waraqah said: “This is the same one who keeps the secrets, Angel Jibreel [Gabriel (‘Alayhis-salaam)] whom Allaah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out.” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked: “Will they drive me out?” Waraqah replied in the affirmative and said: “Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly.” But after a few days Waraqah died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while. [Al-Bukhari no. 3]
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) successfully managed to rise to his feet and measure up to the new task. He went ahead in a spirit of complete selflessness, relentlessly striving and never abating in carrying the burden of the great Trust; the burden of enlightening mankind. He bore the heavy weight of the new faith and strove for over twenty years, nothing distracting his attention from the tremendous mission.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) was the first to enter the fold of Islam, followed by the Prophet’s freed slave, Zaid ibn Haarithah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), his cousin, ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who had been living with him since his early childhood. And the next came his intimate friend, Abu Bakr, (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). All of them professed Islam on the first day of the call. [Rahmatul-lil Alameen 1/150]
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) was an ideal wife and mother. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) lived in her house which became a blessed place due to his presence and the fact that Jibreel (‘Alayhis-salaam) came often to visit him there with Qur’anic revelations. It became the center of Islam, where the Companions and women Companions often visited to partake of the hospitality of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his wife.
After Accepting Islam
After embracing Islam, Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) became more contemplative and inclined towards worship; she found a blessed feeling of peace in prayer. She started calling to Islam alongside her husband by speech and action. The first who embraced Islam through her was her freed slave Zaid, and her four daughters.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) showed patience during the distresses that she went through. Her two sons, Al-Qasim and ‘Abdullaah passed away in their childhood.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) saw the martyrdom of Sumayyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) at the hands of the tyrants of Quraish.
She bade farewell to her daughter Ruqayyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), the wife of ‘Uthmaan ibn Affaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), when they emigrated to Abyssinia for the sake of their Religion.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) experienced all the hardships and distressful periods, but desperation never reached her heart.
There is one incident recorded in history regarding this. ‘Afif Kindi relates that Al-‘Abbaas ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was a great friend of his and he used to visit him often in Yemen in connection with his business in perfumes. On one occasion when they were standing and chatting in Mina, they saw a handsome young man approach. He carefully washed his hands and feet and then stood respectfully with his arms crossed on his chest. Soon a dignified woman of noble bearing and a handsome young lad joined him.
‘Afif asked Al-‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) what they were doing and whether this was a new form of exercise. Al-‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) replied that the youth was his brother ‘Abdullaah’s son, and the lady was his wife. She was a woman of great wealth and virtue, and an ideal wife and mother. The lad was his brother Abu Taalib’s son. He added that Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had announced that he was a Messenger of Allaah and had started preaching a new religion called Islam. In due course, ‘Afif accepted Islam, but he always regretted the fact that he had not joined the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions in their prayers and supplication on that memorable day in Mina, when he first heard of Islam.
The Economic Boycott
When the disbelievers saw that Islam was attracting more and more followers despite all their tactics, they had a meeting to decide what steps should be taken to stop the spread of this new religion. They decided to declare an open and total political and economic boycott of the tribe of Banu Hashim. This took place in the seventh year after the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) declared himself the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
The boycott was so severe that innocent children faced hunger and starvation, and adults survived by eating leaves of trees. Yet the followers of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not turn away from the true religion and they came out of the ordeal stronger and purer than before.
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), who had been brought up in luxury in her wealthy father’s home, now faced the economic hardships with patience and courage, which are a necessary part of any siege.
Allaah Sending a Special Greeting for Her
Khadijah’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) nobility of character and conduct pleased Allaah so much, he sent special greetings for her. This incident was narrated by Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and quoted in a Hadeeth of Saheeh Al-Bukhaari: Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Jibreel [Gabriel (‘Alayhis-salaam)] came to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Allaah’s Messenger! This is Khadijah, coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (Allaah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a palace made of Qasab in Paradise, wherein there will be neither any noise nor any toil (fatigue, trouble, etc.).” [Al-Bukhaari]
After the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to Madinah, the house was occupied by the brother of ‘Ali. Later, Mu’awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan who transcribed some of the Divine Revelations, purchased this house and built a mosque. Thus, the site of the house of Khadijah became a place of prayer and worship for all time. She had been used to praying two Rak’at (units) of Salaat (prayer), in the mornings and evenings with the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) even before Allaah made prayers compulsory.
Her Departure
Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) passed away just three years before the Hijrah, or the Prophet’s migration to Madinah. ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that she passed away before Salaat became enjoined, i.e. before the Night Journey of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). She died at the age of sixty-five, having given almost twenty-five years to Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the cause of Islam. When Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saw her in the throes of death he consoled her saying Allaah had so ordained it, and that the thing she was dreading would prove favorable for her. Her eyes lit up, and as she gazed at her beloved husband her soul left its earthly body.
When she passed away the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was heartbroken at the loss of a dedicated companion who stood by him during the most difficult period of his life. Her grave was prepared at a place called Al-Hajun, near Makkah. He personally supervised the preparation of her grave climbed down into it to ensure it was as it should be. He then gently lowered her body into the grave himself. Thus ended the life of the lady who was the greatest supporter of Islam in its earliest days; she who was the mother of Fatimah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) and the grandmother of the beloved grandchildren of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Al-Hasan and Al-Hussain (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma), who are to be the foremost of the youth in Paradise.
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that one day the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) drew four lines on the earth and asked his Companions if they understood what these lines stood for. They respectfully replied that he knew better. He then told them that these lines stood for the four foremost women of the universe. They were Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint ‘Imraan, the mother of Prophet ‘Eesa [Jesus (‘Alayhis-salaam)] and ‘Asiyah bint Mazaahim (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum) [the wife of Fir’awn (Pharaoh)].
The first of these foremost women has the distinction of being the mother of all the believers, or practicing Muslims, the second -Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)- was given the glad tidings that she would be the chief of all the believing women of Paradise. Maryam (‘Alayhas-salaam) the pure and chaste is the only woman to have given birth to ‘Eesa (‘Alayhis-salaam), a Prophet of Allaah, without having been touched by any man.
‘Ali (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “I heard the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “Maryam (‘Alayhas-salaam), the daughter of ‘Imraan, was the best among the women (of the world of her time) and Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) is the best amongst the women (of this nation).” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3432, 6285]
‘Asiyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), the long-suffering and righteous wife of the evil Pharaoh, had advised her husband to adopt the infant Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salaam)]. This was at a time when infanticide was the law of the land. All the newborn boys of the tribe of Israel were being murdered because of the prediction that one of them would finally overthrow the Pharaoh and destroy him. She not only nurtured him in the very palace of Pharaoh, but also was one of the first to accept Islam, as preached by Musa (‘Alayhis-salaam).
One of the ladies of the Quraish, Khawlah bint Hakim, visited the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to console him, and saw his state of depression and grief and remarked on it. He replied it was only natural that he should be touched by her absence, as she had been a loving mother to his now neglected children; she had been a loyal and sympathetic wife who shared his secrets. It was only human and natural that he should feel her loss as she was there for him during his most difficult times. Whenever he was abused by the disbelievers, she had provided moral support and unflagging faith.
A Companion of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) narrated that whenever any gift was brought to him, he would immediately send it to some lady who had been a friend of Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha).
‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that whenever the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) talked about Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), it was in terms of the highest praise, and he would pray for her forgiveness.
She (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) reported: “I never felt jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as much as I did of Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), although I have never seen her, but the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to mention her very often. Whenever he slaughtered a sheep, he would cut it into pieces and send them to the women friends of Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha). When I sometimes said to him: ‘You treat Khadijah in such a way as if there is no woman on earth except her.’ He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would say: ‘Khadijah was such and such (commending her and speaking well of her), and I had children from her.’” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3818]
He said: “I have not yet found a better wife than her. She had faith in me when everyone, even members of my own family and tribe did not believe me and accept that I truly was a Prophet and a Messenger of Allaah. She converted to Islam, spent all her wealth and worldly goods to help me spread this faith, and this too at a time when the entire world seemed to have turned against me and persecuted me. And it is through her that Allaah blessed me with children.”
In another narration, ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) reported: “Never did I feel jealous of the wives of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,) except for Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), although I did not (have the privilege to) see her. She further added that whenever Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) slaughtered a sheep, he said: ‘Send it to the companions of Khadijah.’ I annoyed him one day and said: ‘(It is) Khadijah only who always prevails upon your mind.’ Thereupon Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Her love had been nurtured in my heart by Allaah Himself.’” [Muslim no. 2435]
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in the Noble Qur’an that it will be said to the pious believers:
“O the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord – well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing (unto Him)! Enter you then among My (honored) servants and enter you My Paradise.”
[Surat Al-Fajr (89:27-30)]Sources:
Great Women of Islam – by Dar-us-Salam Publications
Al-Isabah by Ibn Hajar
Women around the Prophet (Salla- Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)