Khadīja bint khuwaylid: The first to believe in the Prophet

Khadīja bint Khuwaylid was the first person to believe in the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and enter Islam.

One of the women promised Jannah, Khadija bint Khuwaylid is the first wife of the prophet Muhammad and one of the mothers of the believers. She was a successful woman at a time when women were thought of as objects.   

Who is Khadija? What is her story? How did she affect the history of Islam? that’s what we will find out, and so much more, let’s get started.

Who was Khadīja bint Khuwaylid?

khadija bint Khuwaylid full name is Khadījah bint Khuwaylid ibn Asad ibn ‘Abd al-‘Uzzā ibn Qušayy. She belonged to one of the Quraysh clans called the Asad clan. Her mother was from the clan ‘Āmir ibn Lu’ayy and her name was Fāŧimah bint Zā’idah.

She was from a noble and wealthy family, after her father’s death she took over his place and became in charge of the business by herself to prove to be a successful businesswoman.

What were the early life and background of Khadīja bint Khuwaylid?

During the time when women were thought of as objects and didn’t have any rights, Khadīja bint Khuwaylid was a remarkable and successful businesswoman. She was known for her strength of character, autonomy, and power. She gained the respect of businessmen and made a huge change in world history. with a strong will and determination, she achieved the impossible and gained the respect of the businessmen.

Khadīja bint Khuwaylid was born into a noble, wealthy family in Makkah. When her father died in the battle of al-Fujjār she took his place. She married twice before she married the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). First, she was married to Abū Hālah ibn Zurārah ibn al-Nabbāsh al-Tamīmī and had two children Hind and Hālah. Then she married Atīq ibn ‘Ā’id ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzūm and had one daughter from him Hind bint ‘Atīq.

Ibn Saad said: “Khadījah (may God be pleased with her) bore for Abū Hālah a son called Hind and another named Hālah. Then, after Abū Hālah, ‘Atīq ibn ‘Ābid ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzūm married her. For him, she bore a daughter also called Hind, who later married Šayfiyy ibn Umayyah ibn ‘Ābid ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzūm, her cousin, for whom she bore a son called Muħammad. The descendants of this Muħammad are called Banū al-Ŧāhirah (Clan of the Pure Woman) due to the status of Khadījah (may God be pleased with her). They had remnants in Madinah but subsequently died out. Khadījah (may God be pleased with her) was known as Umm Hind.”

Khadijah was a successful businesswoman; her caravans were continuously traveling from Makkah to various places for trading which made her one of the famous and noble merchants. She was known amongst the women of Makkah as a generous woman and her great personality.

How did Khadīja demonstrate her business and entrepreneurial skills?

When the father of Khadīja bint Khuwaylid died she took his place and became a successful merchant, even though at that time society was male-dominated. She traded goods and her caravans traveled to various trading places such as Syria.

Khadijah hired men to travel and made sure that they were all trustworthy. Which made her business larger than any of the Quraish merchants. She had a great reputation and was known for her fair dealing and her goods were of high Quality.

She was known as the “Princess of Quraysh” or Ameerat-Quraysh in Arabi, and “The Pure One”, al-Tahira. She was intuitive, smart, and had a keen eye.

What is known about Khadīja’s marriage to Prophet Muhammad?

Khadija bint Khuwaylid used to hire men to travel with the caravans instead of here, and she made sure that they were all trustworthy. One of the men was the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him). She sent him to Syria with one of her servants Maysarah for business and when they came back Maysarah told her about the great character of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and that he was trustworthy.

Khadija refused to marry ever again and chose to take care of her business. Whoever, the great character and personality of prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) changed her opinion. And they were married even though she was 40 and he was 25 years old.

How did Khadīja support and encourage Prophet Muhammad in his mission?

Khadīja bint Khuwaylid and the prophet had a happy life long before the revelation, she supported him and helped him. She stood by him and believed in him when he received the revelation for the first time during his seclusion in the cave of Hira.

The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to her trembling in fear saying: “Cover me, cover me”. She covered him and stayed by his side until his fear was gone. He told her about what happened in the mount of Hira and she believed him and became the first person to enter Islam.

Khadija played a big role in the Islamic history.

 ‘Ā’ishah (may God be pleased with her) said:

“The first form of revelation to the Messenger of God (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the true dream during sleep. Whenever he saw a dream, it would be as clear as the break of day. After this, he was made to love solitude, so he would seek it in the Cave of Hira, where he would stay worshiping for many nights, before returning to his family. He would equip himself for this stay. Then he would return to Khadījah (may God be pleased with her) and equip himself in a similar manner.

This continued until the truth came to him while he was in the Cave of Hira. The angel came to him and said: ‘Read!’ He said: ‘I cannot read.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Then he took hold of me and squeezed me until I was utterly exhausted. Then he let me go and said: “Read!” I said: “I cannot read.” Then he took hold of me and squeezed me for a second time until I was again exhausted. Then he let me go and said: “Read!” I again said: “I cannot read.” So he took hold of me and squeezed me for the third time. Then he said: “{Read! In the name of your Lord who created…}” until the end of the surah.’

The Prophet ﷺcame back with these verses, trembling to the core. He went into Khadījah (may God be pleased with her) and said: ‘Cover me! Cover me!’ She covered him until the fear had left him, and then he told her what had happened, saying: ‘I feared for my life.’ Khadījah responded: ‘No, by God. God would never humiliate you. You maintain family ties, help to carry people’s burdens when they are tired, you give to the poor, you are generous to your guests, and help people in times of hardship.’

Khadījah (may God be pleased with her) then took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, her cousin, who had become a Christian. He could write in Hebrew, in which he had written as much of the Gospel as God had willed. He was an old man and had become blind. Khadījah said to him: ‘Cousin! Listen to what your nephew has to say.’ Waraqah said to him: ‘Nephew! What is it that you have seen?’ The Messenger of God ﷺtold him what had happened, and Waraqah said: ‘This is the Nāmūs – Gabriel ﷺ– who God sent to Moses. If only I was a young man. If only I could live to see the day when your people banish you.’ The Prophet ﷺsaid: ‘Will they banish me?’ He said: ‘Yes. No man has ever brought anything like this without being fought. If your day comes and I am still alive, I will support you with all my strength.’ Before long, Waraqah passed away and the revelation ceased [for a while].” [Al-Bukhārī in the chapter on How did the revelation begin? Muslim in his Book of Faith, Chapter on the Start of Revelation]

What is her significance in Islamic history?

Khadīja bint Khuwaylid was the first person to enter Islam, she believed the prophet and supported him. Her house was open to the new Muslims to help them. She protected and defended the prophet with all she has got. When Khadijah died the prophet was sad and the year of her death was called the year of sorrows. In that year the prophet lost his beloved wife and his uncle.

Kadijah is one of the women promised Jannah. When the prophet told her about what happened in the mount of Hira she didn’t hesitate even for a second, she believed him and supported him and his mission. She was the one who helped him through the many hardships he faced.

The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) loved Khadīja bint Khuwaylid and used to say “I was blessed with loving her”

The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: “She believed in me when others disbelieved; she called me truthful when others called me a liar; she supported me with her wealth when others refused; and Allah blessed me with children by her when He withheld them through all other women.”

Hadiths about Khadijah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said about Khadīja bint Khuwaylid:

“The best of the women of Paradise are Khadījah bint Khuwaylid, Fāŧimah bint Muħammad, Āsiyah bint Muzāħim (the wife of Pharoah), and Maryam the daughter of ‘Imrān, may Allah be pleased with them.”

“The best of its women is Maryam bint ‘Imran and the best of its women is Khadījah bint Khuwaylid.”

Abū Hurayrah narrated:

“Gabriel (as) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of God! This is Khadījah coming with a bowl (of food or drink). When she arrives give her greetings from her Lord, and from me, and give her the good news of a house for her in Paradise made from a hollow pearl, wherein there is no shouting and no tiredness.’”

She was a great woman, with a strong faith in Allah and his prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).  Aishah was jealous of Kadijah because she had a place in the prophet’s heart and he used to mention her a lot.

 Aishah:

“I did not feel jealous of any of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wives like I did of Khadījah, even though I never saw her. The Prophet ﷺwould mention her so often, and sometimes he would slaughter a sheep, cut it up, and send it to Khadījah’s friends. Sometimes I would say to him: ‘It is as if there is no other woman in the world apart from Khadījah.’ He would reply: ‘She…, and she…, and she bore me children.’”

Khadija died three years before the migration to Madinah at 65 years old.

What role did Khadīja play in the early spread of Islam?

Khadījah bint Khuwaylid was the first person to believe in the prophet and to accept Islam. she supported him protected him with everything she had, and made sure that no one harmed him. She stood by his side and helped him overcome all the hardships he went through.

Aisha said: “The Prophet ﷺcame back with these verses, trembling to the core. He went into Khadījah (may God be pleased with her) and said: ‘Cover me! Cover me!’ She covered him until the fear had left him, then he told her what had happened, saying: ‘I feared for my life.’ Khadījah responded: ‘No, by God. God would never humiliate you. You maintain family ties, help to carry people’s burdens when they are tired, you give to the poor, you are generous to your guests, and help people in times of hardship.’”

The prophet came to her trembling in fear and she calmed him, and when he told her about what happened she believed him and stood by his side. She even took the prophet to her cousin Warqah ibn Nawfal to consult with him about what happened.

Aisha said: “Khadījah (may God be pleased with her) then took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, her cousin, who had become a Christian. He could write in Hebrew, in which he had written as much of the Gospel as God had willed. He was an old man and had become blind. Khadījah said to him: ‘Cousin! Listen to what your nephew has to say.’ Waraqah said to him: ‘Nephew! What is it that you have seen?’ The Messenger of God ﷺtold him what had happened, and Waraqah said: ‘This is the Nāmūs – Gabriel ﷺ– who God sent to Moses. If only I was a young man. If only I could live to see the day when your people banish you.’ The Prophet ﷺsaid: ‘Will they banish me?’ He said: ‘Yes. No man has ever brought anything like this without being fought. If your day comes and I am still alive, I will support you with all my strength.’ Before long, Waraqah passed away and the revelation ceased [for a while].” [Al-Bukhārī in the chapter on How did”

Khadījah bint Khuwaylid was open for helping all the new Muslims, she played a big role in the Islamic history and supported the prophet throughout her life.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Allah granted me no better wife than she: she had faith in my Message when people rejected it. She believed in me when people called me a liar. She shared her wealth to ease my grief when people abandoned me. And she gave me, by the grace of Allah, the progeny that no other wife could give me.”

What virtues and characteristics were attributed to Khadīja?

Khadījah bint Khuwaylid was known for her powerful intellect, wisdom, generosity, strong personality, and trustworthiness. She was even called the princess of Quraish.

How is Khadīja’s legacy and impact on Muslim women recognized?

Khadija took the place of her father after his death and became a famous merchant at a time when women were thought of as objects and were oppressed. All merchants respected her and she was known for her integrity and trustworthiness. Her business strived and she became the wealthiest merchant of Quraish. Khadījah bint Khuwaylid is a source of inspiration for all Muslim women.  

How Many are the sons and daughters of Khadīja bint Khuwaylid?

Khadīja bint Khuwaylid had children from her previous two husbands who passed away. Khadijah was married to Abū Hālah ibn Zurārah ibn al-Nabbāsh al-Tamīmī and had two children Hind and Hālah. Then she married Atīq ibn ‘Ā’id ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzūm and had one daughter from him Hind bint ‘Atīq.

  When she married prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) they had four daughters Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Kulthum, and Fatima, and one son Abd-Allah who died in his childhood.

khadija bint khuwaylid death.

khadija bint Khuwaylid died due to sickness on November 22, 619 AD, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Muslims were mistreated and they were under a boycott. No one could visit them or help them in any way. They were left starving and were treated brutally. Khadija stood by the prophet in this dark time with strong faith. The boycott lasted three years during which Khadijah weakened and became sick and when the boycott ended Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid passed away.

Khadijah was rewarded with paradise, Abū Hurayrah narrated:

“Gabriel (as) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of God! This is Khadījah coming with a bowl (of food or drink). When she arrives give her greetings from her Lord, and from me, and give her the good news of a house for her in Paradise made from a hollow pearl, wherein there is no shouting and no tiredness.’”

When she died the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) became very sad, and the year of her death was called the year of sorrow. The prophet never forgot her, and he mentioned her frequently.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Allah granted me no better wife than she: she had faith in my Message when people rejected it. She believed in me when people called me a liar. She shared her wealth to ease my grief when people abandoned me. And she gave me, by the grace of Allah, the progeny that no other wife could give me.”

 That is the story of the mother of the believers Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the brave and strong woman who changed history and played a main role in spreading Islam.