Mother of the Believers

Khadījah bint Khuwaylid

خديجة بنت خويلد

Dates: 555–619 CE / 68 BH–3 BH
Relation to the Prophet ﷺ: First wife of the Prophet ﷺ; mother of all his surviving children except Ibrāhīm

Umm al-Muʾminīn (Mother of the Believers)The First Believer

Known for

The first person to accept Islam. The Prophet ﷺ, after her death, never said her name without his eyes filling.

Life

Khadījah was 40 years old, widowed, and running a successful trading caravan when she proposed to the Prophet ﷺ — 15 years her junior and in her employ. She had seen his character as her business agent and preferred him over every suitor in Makkah. The marriage was extraordinary: 25 years of complete loyalty on both sides, monogamous in a polygamous culture, central to the earliest community.

When the first revelation came, the Prophet ﷺ returned to her terrified, asking her to cover him. She answered: "Allah will never disgrace you — you keep the ties of kin, you speak the truth, you carry the burdens of the weak, you help whoever deserves help." She took him to her Christian cousin Waraqah who confirmed the revelation. She believed before anyone else. She died in the Year of Sorrow — 619 CE — three years before the Hijrah. The Prophet ﷺ, in his twilight years, said: "Allah has not replaced her with one better."

References in the library

Passages that mention Khadījah

"him to the region of Heltni and sent someone to kill him there. None of the royal house remained except his sisters, the elder Khadija, Maryam, and Fatima, so they appointed Khadija as Sultana. She was married to their preacher, Jamal al-Din, who became minister in dominated affairs, appointing his son Muhammad in his stead as preacher. But orders were issued in Khadija's name. They write orders on palm leaves with a curved iron like a knife. They only write the Qurans and books of science on paper. The preacher mentions her on Friday and other times, saying, O Allah, support your servant whom you have chosen with knowledge above the worlds,"

Source in Volume Two →
"paradise. Hence he was called Dhu'l-Kifl. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, returned home trembling. He went to Khadijah bint Kuwailid, saying, Wrap me up, wrap me up. They wrapped him until his fear subsided. He then shared the experience with Khadijah, expressing his fear. Khadijah reassured him, saying, No, by Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You maintain family ties, honor your guests, bear the burdens of the weak, help those in need, and assist in matters of truth. Muhammad ibn Ishaq said, He is Al-Yasa ibn Akhtub. Al-Hafiz Abu al-Qasim ibn mentioned in his history that Al-Yasa is Al-Asbat ibn Adi, ibn Shutham,"

Source in First Revelation to Badr →
"for you O Messenger of Allah. He confirmed yes. She then asked with comfort and children. In another narration the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him entered upon Khadija during her illness and said O Khadija when you meet your co-wives convey my greetings to them. She asked O Messenger of Allah have you married before me. He replied no but Allah has married me to Maryam the daughter of Imran and to Asiya the daughter of Muzahim and to Kulthum the sister of Musa. It is narrated that Gabriel descended to the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him with his message and sat talking to him when Khadija"

Source in Israelite Prophets to Pre-Islamic Arabia →
"saw Zayd ibn Harithah as a young boy with a braid, whom his people had placed in the marketplace for sale. He went to Khadijah, who asked about his price. The Messenger of Allah said it was seven hundred. Khadijah agreed, saying, "Take seven hundred." So he bought Zayd and brought him to her. The Messenger of Allah then said, "If he were mine, I would set him free." Khadijah responded, "He is yours." So he set Zayd free."

Source in Volume 1 →
"In a narration, Aisha expressed her feelings of jealousy when the Prophet praised Khadijah. She remarked that Allah had replaced him with someone better, referring to herself. The Prophet responded, emphasizing Khadijah's unique support and belief in him when others doubted him, and how she provided for him when others did not. He also mentioned that all his children, except for Ibrahim, were from Khadijah."

Source in First Revelation to Badr →
"ways. Abu Talib, though a disbeliever, was a protector, while Khadijah was a believing, truthful woman. May Allah be pleased with her. Ibn Ishaq narrated that both Khadijah and Abu Talib died in the same year, bringing great sorrow to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. Khadijah had been a true supporter during trials, and he relied on her greatly."

Source in First Revelation to Badr →

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