Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA) - The Mother of the Believers
Learn about Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet ﷺ and the first to accept Islam.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: - Know who Khadijah (RA) was and her importance - Understand her role in supporting the Prophet ﷺ - Learn about her noble character and wisdom - Know why she is called 'Mother of the Believers'
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) was a noble and respected woman in Makkah. She was known for her wisdom, honesty, and kindness. She was a successful businesswoman, rare for a woman of her time. She was called 'At-Tahira' — the Pure One — because of her noble character even before Islam. Khadijah hired the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to manage her trade caravans because of his reputation for honesty. She was so impressed by his character and trustworthiness that she proposed marriage to him. They were married, and their relationship was filled with love, respect, and partnership. Khadijah was 15 years older than the Prophet, but their love was deep and beautiful. When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the first revelation in the Cave of Hira, he came home trembling and said, 'Cover me, cover me!' Khadijah covered him and listened to his experience. She comforted him with beautiful words: 'Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good ties with your relatives, you help the poor, you serve your guests, and you support the truth.' Khadijah was the first person to accept Islam. She believed in the Prophet ﷺ without any doubt. She supported him with her wealth, her love, and her wisdom. She stood by the Prophet ﷺ during the three-year boycott in the valley of Abu Talib, where Muslims suffered from hunger and hardship. She gave all her wealth for the cause of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ loved Khadijah deeply. Even years after her death, he would mention her with love and tears. He said: 'I was nourished with her love.' He also said: 'The best of the women of Paradise are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatima bint Muhammad, Maryam bint Imran, and Asiya bint Muzahim.' Khadijah passed away in the Year of Sorrow (619 CE), in the same year as Abu Talib's death. Her loss was deeply painful for the Prophet ﷺ. She is buried in Makkah. She is called 'Mother of the Believers' (Umm al-Mu'minin) because she was the first wife of the Prophet and the first believer.
Qur'an Verses
وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ
Wa alladhina yaquluna rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyyatina qurrata a'yun
Translation: And those who say, 'Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes.'
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best of the women of Paradise are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatima bint Muhammad, Maryam bint Imran, and Asiya bint Muzahim.'
Explanation
This hadith shows the four greatest women in history. Khadijah is honored alongside Maryam (mother of Isa), Asiya (wife of Pharaoh who believed in Allah despite her husband's tyranny), and Fatima (the Prophet's daughter). This shows how special Khadijah was.
The Prophet ﷺ said about Khadijah: 'I was nourished with her love.'
Explanation
Even years after Khadijah's death, the Prophet ﷺ remembered her with deep love. This shows the beautiful relationship they had and the importance of love and gratitude in marriage.
Khadijah teaches us about faith, love, and sacrifice. She believed without hesitation, supported with everything she had, and stood by the truth no matter what. Her story shows the important role of women in Islam.
- 1.What was Khadijah known as before Islam?
- 2.How did Khadijah comfort the Prophet ﷺ after the first revelation?
- 3.Who was the first person to accept Islam?
- 4.How did the Prophet ﷺ show his love for Khadijah after her death?
- 5.Who are the four best women of Paradise?
1. What did Khadijah say to comfort the Prophet?
2. What did Khadijah do during the boycott of Muslims?
3. Who proposed marriage first — Khadijah or the Prophet?
4. What did the Prophet ﷺ say about Khadijah's love?
5. What does 'At-Tahira' mean?
6. What was Khadijah's title before Islam?
7. Why did Khadijah hire Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
8. Who are the four best women of Paradise mentioned in the hadith?
9. In what year did Khadijah pass away?
10. What quality of Khadijah should we learn from?
11. What business was Khadijah involved in?
12. What happened when the Prophet came home after the first revelation?
13. What does 'Umm al-Mu'minin' mean?
14. Who was the first person to accept Islam?
15. What is Khadijah's title among Muslims?
16. Where is Khadijah buried?
17. How did the Prophet ﷺ remember Khadijah after her death?
18. What does Khadijah's story teach us about women in Islam?
19. How did Khadijah support the Prophet ﷺ?
20. Was Khadijah older or younger than the Prophet?
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