Khadīja bint Khuwaylid — The First Believer
📜 خَدِيجَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِد — Khadīja bint Khuwaylid, The First Believer
« رُزِقْتُ حُبَّهَا »
"Allah granted me love for Khadīja."
— [Muslim 2435]
📖 Introduction
Khadīja bint Khuwaylid رضي الله عنها is more than just a wife of the Prophet ﷺ — she is the cornerstone of nascent Islam. First to believe, last to doubt, she embodies perfect faith, unwavering support, and remarkable intelligence.
📋 Titles of Honor
| Title | Meaning |
|---|---|
| أم المؤمنين (Umm al-Mu'minīn) | Mother of the Believers |
| الطاهرة (Al-Ṭāhira) | The Pure One |
| سيدة نساء قريش | Lady of the Women of Quraysh |
| خير نساء العالمين | Best Woman of Her Time |
I. Biography Before Islam
A. Noble Origins
Khadīja was from Meccan nobility:
- Father: Khuwaylid ibn Asad ibn 'Abd al-'Uzzā
- Mother: Fāṭima bint Zā'ida
- Clan: Banū Asad of Quraysh
- Lineage: Descendant of Quṣayy, like the Prophet ﷺ
Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Khadīja bint Khuwaylid is the best woman of her time, and Maryam bint 'Imrān is the best woman of her time."
— Reported by Al-Bukhārī (3432)
B. A Remarkable Businesswoman
Before her marriage to the Prophet ﷺ, Khadīja was a prosperous businesswoman:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Trade | Caravans to Syria and Yemen |
| Reputation | Honest, noble, respected |
| Fortune | One of the wealthiest in Mecca |
| Nickname | "Amīrat Quraysh" (Princess of Quraysh) |
| Social status | Tribal chiefs sought her hand |
II. The Meeting with Muḥammad ﷺ
A. The Journey to Syria
Khadīja sought a trustworthy man to lead her caravans. Muhammad was recommended, known as "Al-Ṣādiq Al-Amīn" (The Truthful, The Trustworthy).
B. The Marriage Proposal
Exceptionally for that era: Khadīja proposed marriage, through her friend Nafīsa bint Munya.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Muḥammad's age | 25 years |
| Khadīja's age | 40 years (most common view) |
| Dowry (Mahr) | 20 young camels |
| Witnesses | Banū Hāshim and Banū Asad |
C. A Blessed Union
Their marriage lasted 25 years — a period of happiness, loyalty, and mutual support.
Children of Khadīja with the Prophet ﷺ:
| Child | Notes |
|---|---|
| Al-Qāsim | Died in infancy, gave the kunya "Abū al-Qāsim" |
| 'Abd Allāh | Died in infancy |
| Zaynab | Married Abū al-'Āṣ, mother of Umāma |
| Ruqayya | Married 'Uthmān, emigrated to Abyssinia |
| Umm Kulthūm | Married 'Uthmān after Ruqayya |
| Fāṭima | Most famous, wife of 'Alī, mother of Ḥasan and Ḥusayn |
III. The First Revelation
A. Comfort After Ḥirā'
When the Prophet ﷺ descended from the cave of Ḥirā', terrified by his first encounter with Jibrīl, he ran to Khadīja.
Khadīja said: "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you! You maintain family ties, you bear the burdens of the weak, you give to the destitute, you host guests, you help in the trials of life."
B. The First to Believe
Hadith: "Khadīja was the first person to believe in Allah and His Messenger."
— Reported by Ibn Isḥāq
She never hesitated, never doubted.
IV. Unconditional Support
A. Financial Support
Khadīja put all her fortune at the service of Islam:
- Financing poor Muslims
- Freeing persecuted slaves (like Bilāl)
- Supporting during the Banū Hāshim boycott
B. The Salām from Allah
A unique honor in all of human history:
Hadith: Jibrīl said to the Prophet ﷺ: "Here is Khadīja coming with a vessel. When she arrives, convey to her greetings from her Lord and from me, and give her glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of pearls (qaṣab), wherein there will be no noise nor fatigue."
— Reported by Al-Bukhārī (3820) and Muslim (2432)
Remarkable points:
- Allah Himself sends greetings — unprecedented honor
- Jibrīl adds his own greetings
- Promised a dwelling in Paradise during her lifetime
V. The Boycott and Final Years
A. Three Years of Suffering (617-619 CE)
When Quraysh boycotted the Banū Hāshim, Khadīja — then about 63 years old — refused to leave her husband and shared their exile in the valley of Abū Ṭālib.
B. The Death of Khadīja (619 CE)
Khadīja died three years before the Hijra, a few days after Abū Ṭālib's death. That year was named "'Ām al-Ḥuzn" (Year of Sorrow).
Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "She believed in me when people denied me. She supported me with her wealth when people deprived me. And Allah granted me children from her when He denied me children from other women."
— Reported by Aḥmad (24864)
VI. The Prophet's ﷺ Eternal Love
A. Loyalty After Death
Even after marrying other wives, the Prophet ﷺ never forgot Khadīja:
Hadith: 'Āisha said: "I was never as jealous of any woman as I was of Khadīja, though I never saw her, because of how often the Prophet ﷺ mentioned her."
— Reported by Al-Bukhārī (3818)
B. Honoring Her Loved Ones
| Gesture | Description |
|---|---|
| Her friends | The Prophet ﷺ would send meat to their homes |
| Her sister Hāla | Welcomed warmly because her voice resembled Khadīja's |
| Her memory | Regularly mentioned with praise |
VII. Merits and Unique Rank
A. Among the Best Women
Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best women of Paradise are: Khadīja bint Khuwaylid, Fāṭima bint Muḥammad, Maryam bint 'Imrān, and Āsiya bint Muzāḥim (wife of Pharaoh)."
— Reported by Aḥmad (2903)
B. Comparison with Others
| Aspect | Khadīja رضي الله عنها |
|---|---|
| First believer | Yes — before any man |
| Salām from Allah | Unique in history |
| Mother of surviving lineage | Only wife whose descendants survived |
| 25 years of exclusivity | The Prophet married no one else during her lifetime |
Conclusion: The Queen of the Believers
Khadīja bint Khuwaylid رضي الله عنها remains for eternity the first lady of Islam. Without her, the early days of revelation would have been infinitely more difficult. Her love, faith, intelligence, and sacrifice laid the foundations of the world's greatest religion.
"By Allah, He never gave me better than her."
— Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ
Key Takeaways
| # | Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | First believer in Islam — before any man |
| 2 | Prosperous and independent businesswoman |
| 3 | Received the salām from Allah through Jibrīl — unique honor |
| 4 | Mother of all surviving children of the Prophet ﷺ |
| 5 | The Prophet ﷺ honored her throughout his life after her death |
May Allah be pleased with her
رضي الله عنها وأرضاها