Name: Khadija bint-e-Khawailad (SA)
Title: Umm-ul-Momineen
Agnomen: Tahira
Father: Khawailad bin Asad
Mother: Fatemah bint-e-Zaedeh
Birth: Makkah
Death: 10th Ramadan 3 years before Hijrah at the age of 64 years. Buried: in Makkah
Birth and Geneology
Hadrat Khadija (SA) was the first wife of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). She was born in holy Mecca. Her father's name was Khuwaylid bin Asad and he was a wealthy trader.
The Geneology of both Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Hadrat Khadija (SA) was the same reaching upto Qusayy.
Early Life
Her mother and father both died within 10 years of each other. Their wealth was divided amongst the children but it was Hadrat khadija (SA) who took over the family business and expanded it. With the profit she made she helped the poor, widows, orphans, sick and the disabled people of Mecca.
She had a cousin called Waraqa bin Naufal who was very learned man and who was not an idol worshiper. Both Waraqa and Hadrat Khadija were monotheists and believed in one Allah.
First contact with Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)
Because of her excellent morality and character the Arabs (who at that time used to look down upon women) called her Tahira - the pure one. She was also known as the 'Princess of Makkah' because of her wealth. A lot of Arab nobles and princess wanted to marry her but she refused all of them.
In 595 AD, Hadrat Khadija was looking for someone to be in charge of her caravan to Syria. Hadrat Abu Talib (AS) suggested the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) to her. She had heard of his trustworthiness and agreed to employ him although he did not have much trading experience. To help him she sent her slave Maysara.
The trading caravan was a great success and when Hadrat Khadija (SA) heard of the Prophet's skills and excellent conduct, she became his admirer.
With the start of the prophethood of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and as the first woman believer in Islam, Lady Khadijah accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) at all the stages of his mission \[1]. Ibn Atheer narrated from Ibn Is’haaq: Khadijah (AS) was the first Muslim woman and by the order of God, she made lighter the heavy load on her prophet. When the Prophet (PBUH) used to tell his secrets to Khadijah (AS), she supported him and helped him to carry out his duties towards others \[2]. Ibn Hajar wrote that Khadijah (AS) always respected the Prophet (PBUH) and approved his words before and after the prophethood.
When the enemies of Islam blockaded Mecca, during 3 years, Khadijah (AS) gave all her wealth to be distributed amongst Muslims \[3]. All the Prophet’s (PBUH) children except Ibrahim (AS) were from Khadijah (AS) \[4]. Khadijah (AS) had 4 daughters; Roqayyah, Zainab, Umm Kolthum and Fatimah and one son called Qasem. Some others reported that she had 2 sons; Qasem and Abdullah whilst others said she had 3 sons; Qasem, Taher and Tayyeb \[5]. When the blockade of the unbelievers against Muslims ended at the beginning of the tenth year of the prophethood (Be’that), Lady Khadijah (AS) who suffered a lot during that time, became ill and passed away in Ramadhan.
The Prophet was present at her last moments and gave her the glad tiding that she will be in the company of Lady Maryam the daughter of Imran, Asiyeh the daughter of Mozahem and Kolthum the daughter of Mosa (AS) in the paradise \[6]. A few days earlier, Abutaleb had died and the Prophet said: 2 tragedies have occurred in these times and do not know which one is harder to bear \[7]. It is narrated from the Prophet (PBUH) who said: The arch angel Jabrail came to me and said; From God and I send Salaam to Khadijah (AS) and give her the glad tiding that she will have a house in paradise made of precious stones and there will be no noises or discomforts in there \[8]. It is also narrated from the Prophet (PBUH) who said: The best women of the world are Maryam, Asiyeh, Khadijah and Fatimah and he mentioned that Khadijah (AS) is the head of the women of paradise \[9].
\[1] Al-Esabah, Vol. 8, Page 100; Alsadal Qabeh, Vol. 5, Page 434.
\[2] Alsadal Qabeh, Vol. 5, Page 437.
\[3] Ya’aqoobi, Vol. 2, Page 31.
\[4] Ya’aqoobi, Vol. 2, Page 84; Ibn Hajj, Vol. 8, Page 100.
\[5] Ibn Hajar, Vol. 8, Page 100; Ya’aqoobi, Vol. 2, Page 20.
\[6] Ya’aqoobi, Vol. 2, Page 35.
\[7] Ibn Atheer, Vol. 5, Page 439; Ya’aqoobi, Vol. 2, Page 35.
\[8] Ibn Hajar, Vol. 8, Page 102.
\[9] Ibn Atheer, Vol. 5, Page 438.
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