Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA) holds an unparalleled status in Islamic history. As the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the first person to embrace Islam, and a woman of immense wisdom, wealth, and character, her life serves as a guiding light for Muslims, particularly women worldwide. Hazrat Khaija RA is a very reputable and repeated topic in the O-level Islamiyat syllabus.
Whether you are a student of Edexcel or Cambridge, Hazrat Khadija RA is an important topic to prepare for O-level exams.
Who was Hazrat Khadija (RA)?
Hazrat Khadija RA was a merchant and a successful businesswoman of Islamic history. She was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She was born into the Quraysh tribe, and her noble personality was well-known within her tribe.
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Quick Facts about Hazrat Khadija RA:
Some quick facts about the life of Hazrat Khadija RA are below:
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Khadījah bint al-Khuwaylid |
| Also Known As | Khadīja al-Kubra |
| Born | c. 554, Makkah, Hejaz, Arabia (present-day Saudi Arabia) |
| Died | 10 Ramadan, BH 3 (c. 619, aged 64–65), Makkah, Saudi Arabia |
| Resting Place | Jannat al-Mu’alla, Makkah |
| Known For | First wife of Muhammad (PBUH) |
| Title(s) | Ameerat-Quraysh, al-Tahirah |
| Spouse | Muhammad ibn Abdullah |
| Children | Sons: Qasim, AbdullahDaughters: Fatima, Zainab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum |
| Parents | Father: Khuwaylid ibn AsadMother: Fatimah bint Za’idah |
| Relatives | Grandsons: Hasan ibn Ali, Husayn ibn Ali, Abd Allah ibn Uthman, Ali ibn Abi al-AsGranddaughters: Umama bint Abi al-As, Zaynab bint Ali, Umm Kulthum bint Ali |
| Notable Family Members | Spouse: Muhammad (PBUH)Daughter: Fatimah |
Hazrat Khadija (RA)’s Business:
The father of Hazrat Khadija RA, Khuwaliyd Ibn Asad, was a merchant by profession. He was also a noble leader. She adopted this occupation from her father. She was a very successful merchant of her time. It is said that her caravan used to be equal to the total caravans of all traders of Quraysh. She was given many titles, which include:
- The Pious One
- Ameerat Quraysh (Princess of Quraysh)
- Khadija-tul-Kubra (Khadija the Great)
She used to feed and clothe the poor, assisted her relatives financially and provided money to the poor relatives for marriage purposes.
Hazrat Khadija (RA) never used to travel with her trade caravans. She employed men to trade in her place for a commission. She hired Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) for her trade in Syria when he was in his early twenties.
Hazrat Khadija (RA)’s Marriage:
Different sects of muslims have different beliefs on this controversial topic of her marriage.
According to the Shia community, her marriage to Hazrat Muhammad PBUH was the first marriage of her life. There were no records of marriages before that. Whereas, the Sunni community believes Hazrat Khadija RA married three times in her life and had children from that marriage.
Her marriage to Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is of the utmost importance for Muslims. Hazrat Khadija RA met Hazrat Muhammad PBUH when she hired him for trade in Syria. She was impressed with the honesty and nobility of Hazrat Muhammad PBUH. According to various articles, she contacted her friend Nafisa to approach the Prophet (PBUH) with a marriage proposal. Prophet PBUH hesitated as he had no means of supporting a wife, but then Nafisa insisted that he consider a marriage to a woman who had the means to provide for herself. Holy Prophet PBUH agreed to meet Hazrat Khadija RA. After this meeting, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) contacted his uncle, and a formal proposal was sent to her. Khadija’s uncle accepted the proposal, and the marriage was subsequently arranged.
At the time of marriage, Hazrat Muhammad PBUH was in his early 20s, whereas Hazrat Khadija RA was at the age of 40 years.
Children of Hazrat Khadija (RA):
They had no sons who survived childhood. According to the Sunni community, they had four daughters:
- Umme Kulsum
- Ruqayya
- Zaynab
- Fatima
Their first son was Qasim, who passed away before his third birthday. Then Hazrat Khadija RA gave birth to four daughters. Lastly, they had a son, Abd Allah, who didn’t survive his childhood.
Important life events of her life:
- First follower of Hazrat Muhammad PBUH:
When Hazrat Jibral AS came with his first revelation of the Quran upon Muhammad PBUH, it is believed that Hazrat Khadija RA was the first one to accept and believe in the truth. Hazrat Muhammad PBUH) Returned to Hazrat Khadija RA in a state of terror and fear, she was the one who calmed down and stood by Hazrat Muhammad PBUH. She accepted Islam after that. Her faith never wavered, even in the face of immense challenges. Her support gave the Prophet (PBUH) the strength to continue spreading the message of Islam.
- First believer of Islam:
After believing in the first revelation to Muhammad PBUH, Hazrat Khadija RA accepted Islam and became the first Muslim. She stood by the tough times of the life of the Holy Prophet PBUH. When nobody believed in Muhammad PBUH, Khadija RA was the first to believe in Islam and all the subsequent revelations on the Holy Prophet PBUH. She was not only a believer in his mission but also his greatest source of emotional, financial, and moral support. She has set an example for Muslim women to follow.
Death of Hazrat Khadja RA:
Hazrat Khadija RA passed away in Ramadan in 619 CE in Mecca, now located in modern-day Arabia. This was 10 years after the reveal of Prophethood. Hazrat Muhammad PBUH called this tenth year as “The Year of Sorrow”. Hazrat Khadija RA was said to e at the age of 65 at the time of her death. To learn more about the historical key personalities of Islam, ecplore the Cambridge O-level syllabus for Islamiyat.
Lessons for women:
Hazrat Khadija (RA) remains a powerful role model for Muslim women. Her qualities of integrity, leadership, business sense, piety, and devotion set the standard for what it means to live a life of purpose and service to Allah. She balanced worldly success with spiritual strength, showing that a woman can be both a leader and a nurturer.
She is often cited as the best example of Muslim women who strive to succeed in both their faith and their personal lives. The Prophet (PBUH) never forgot her. He spoke highly of her throughout his life and often remembered her kindness and loyalty.
Conclusion
Hazrat Khadija (RA) was not just the first woman to embrace Islam; she was the foundation upon which the early Muslim community stood. Her contributions to the cause of Islam, her unwavering faith, and her support to the Prophet (PBUH) during the most challenging times earn her the highest place among the Mothers of the Believers.
Her life is a timeless reminder that faith, compassion, courage, and sacrifice are the keys to true success in this life and the next.
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FAQs:
1. Who was Hazrat Khadija (RA)?
She was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the first person to accept Islam, and a successful businesswoman from the Quraysh tribe of Makkah.
2. What is the significance of her in Islam?
She played a crucial role in the early days of Islam by supporting the Prophet (PBUH) emotionally and financially and becoming the first Muslim.
3. When did she die?
Hazrat Khadija (RA) passed away in 619 CE, during the month of Ramadan. This year is known as the “Year of Sorrow” due to the deaths of Muhammad and Abu Talib.
4. Where was she buried?
She is buried in Jannat-ul-Mu’alla, a famous cemetery in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
5. What was the name of Hazrat Khadija’s father?
Her father’s name was Khuwaylid ibn Asad, a respected merchant of the Quraysh tribe.
6. How many children did she have with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
She had six children with the Prophet (PBUH): two sons (Qasim and Abdullah) and four daughters (Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah).
7. Who was her first husband?
Before marrying the Prophet (PBUH), Hazrat Khadija was first married to Atiq ibn A’idh and later to Abu Halah ibn Zurarah.
8. What was her role in the Prophet’s mission?
She supported him wholeheartedly, used her wealth for the cause of Islam, and was a pillar of strength during the initial years of persecution in Makkah.
9. What tribe did she belong to?
Hazrat Khadija (RA) belonged to the Quraysh tribe, one of the most respected tribes in Makkah.
10. Why is she a role model for Muslim women?
Her strong character, faith, leadership, and unwavering support of the Prophet (PBUH) make her a timeless role model for women seeking to balance spirituality, family, and ambition.