In his journey of life and da’wah, The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was surrounded by companions and friends who were always ready to strengthen him, help him, and even sacrifice themselves for him. The Prophet’s closest friends such as Abu Bakr, Umar bin Al-Khattab, Uthman bin Affan, Ali bin Abi Talib and other friends, Radhiyallahu anhum were the pillars who supported the establishment of Islamic da’wah at the beginning of its emergence.
But on the other hand, there are strong women who also support the Prophet’s da’wah. Among all the shahabiyat who supported The Prophet’s preaching, The Prophet’s first wife, Khadijah binti khuwailid radhiyallahu anha, was among the most important, especially in the early Mecca period, which was the hardest period in The Prophet’s da’wah. This article will discuss Khadijah Radhiyallahu anha including her virtues and how she supported the Prophet through the early period of revelation and da’wah.
Also read: How to Keep Faith in Hard Times
Who is Khadijah binti Khuwailid?
Khadijah binti Khuwailid Radhiyallahu anha is the first wife of The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. She is the only wife The Prophet ﷺ married until her death which means she is also his only wife when he received the first prophecy. She is the mother of almost all of The Prophet ﷺ s children except Ibrahim.
She was born in noble house of bani Asad from Khuwailid bin Asad and Fathimah binti Zaidah. Because of her lineage and family, she was grown into intelligent and elegant lady as well as a seasoned businesswoman and trader. She was married twice before her marriage to The Prophet ﷺ, first to Abu Halah bin Zararah and she had 2 children from him, and secondly to Atiq bin Aidz and they have 1 daughter.
She is amongst the best women in Islam as stated in this hadith:
خطَّ رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ في الأرضِ أربعةَ خطوطٍ قال : تدرون ما هذا فقالوا : اللهُ ورسولُه أعلمُ فقالَ رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ : أفضلُ نساءِ أهلِ الجنةِ خديجةُ بنتُ خُويلدٍ وفاطمةُ بنتُ محمدٍ وآسيةُ بنتُ مُزاحمٍ امرأةُ فرعونَ ومريمُ ابنةُ عمرانَ رضي اللهُ عنهنَّ أجمعينَ“The Messenger of Allah ﷻ drew four lines on the ground, then he said, ‘Do you know what this is?’ The Companions replied, ‘Allah ﷻ and His Messenger know best.’ He then said: ‘The best of the women of Paradise are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Asiyah bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh’ and Maryam bint ‘Imran may Allah ﷻ be pleased with them All” (Ahmad 2903)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Her Marriage
When Khadijah Radhiyallahu anha hired the Prophet ﷺ to guide her trading caravan to Syria, she first became aware of his extraordinary honesty. After witnessing his honorable behavior, fairness and sincerity, her servant Maysarah told all the story to Khadijah Radhiyallahu anha.
She was so impressed that she asked to marry him. Khadijah Radhiyallahu anha was approximately forty years old at the time and the Prophet ﷺ was twenty-five. Mutual respect, trust and steadfast loyalty were the cornerstones of their marriage and later served as a basis for the spread of Islam.
Her Unmatched Support After the First Revelation
When the Prophet ﷺ received the first revelation in the Cave of Hira, it was one of the most important events in human history. He was so overwhelmed by the encounter with Jibril that he came home shaking and saying “Cover me cover me!”. Khadijah Radhiyallahu anha instantly gave him a calm, confident and sympathetic embrace. She gave one of the most profound reassurances ever given in place of uncertainty or fear by this phrase:
أَبْشِرْ، فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يُخْزِيكَ اللَّهُ أَبَدًا، فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ، وَتَصْدُقُ الْحَدِيثَ، وَتَحْمِلُ الْكَلَّ، وَتَكْسِبُ الْمَعْدُومَ، وَتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وَتُعِينُ عَلَى نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ.
“Nay! But receive the good tidings! By Allah ﷻ, Allah ﷻ will never disgrace you, for by Allah ﷻ, you keep good relations with your Kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, entertain your guests generously and assist those who are stricken with calamities. (Sahih Bukhari: 4953)
These words were more than consolation, they were a declaration of unadulterated faith and the first indication that he was a prophet. She was the first person to embrace Islam and did so without hesitation. When the Prophet needed it the most, Khadijahs initiative, wisdom and emotional fortitude brought him back to life.
Her Help During the Mecca Era
After the initial revelation, Khadijah continued to provide support. She supported the Prophet ﷺ during the most difficult da’wah years including the boycott against Banu Hashim, the persecution of early Muslims and the revelation pause when Quraysh made fun of him. She gave up her wealth comfort and well-being in support of Islam.
Also read: The Role of Sustenance and Wealth in Da’wah
Her Death and the Prophet ﷺ’s Deep Love of Her
She was physically weakened by the boycott and in the month of Ramadan the tenth prophetic year she returned to Allah ﷻ soon. The Year of Sorrow or Āmul Huzn was marked by her and Abu Thalibs deaths. She was never forgotten by the Prophet ﷺ. Aishah Radhiyallahu Anha said:
ما غِرْتُ علَى نِسَاءِ النبيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ، إلَّا علَى خَدِيجَةَ وإنِّي لَمْ أُدْرِكْهَا. قالَتْ: وَكانَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ إذَا ذَبَحَ الشَّاةَ، فيَقولُ: أَرْسِلُوا بهَا إلى أَصْدِقَاءِ خَدِيجَةَ قالَتْ: فأغْضَبْتُهُ يَوْمًا، فَقُلتُ: خَدِيجَةَ، فَقالَ: رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ إنِّي قدْ رُزِقْتُ حُبَّهَا.
I did not envy the wives of the Prophet ﷺ except for Khadija, whom I did not know. She said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , slaughtered a sheep, he would say: Send it to Khadija’s friends. She said: I angered him one day, so I said: Khadija. He said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I have been blessed with love for her. (Sahih Bukhari 3816, Sahih Muslim 2435)
Conclusion
Khadijah Radhiyallahu Anha was a woman of unwavering devotion, bravery, intelligence and faith. Her assistance during the first revelations and the most difficult times set the stage for Islams ascent. Her example of a wife who supports, comforts, uplifts and stands by her husband for Allah ﷻ continues to inspire. May Allah ﷻ give Muslim women the fortitude to imitate her endurance, discernment and unshakable faith and enable all of us to walk in her honorable footsteps.
Let’s Visit, Zeed and join for halal investment with Zeed.
Devin Halim Wijaya, B.B.A, M.Sc
Independent Sharia Consultant
Instagram: @devinhalimwijaya
Linkedin: @devinhalim
References:
من هي خديجة رضي الله عنها – موضوع. (2019). موضوع. من هي خديجة رضي الله عنها – موضوع
http://www.alukah.net/authors/view/sharia/16605. (2022, January 22). هن قدوتي (1): خديجة بنت خويلد رضي الله عنها. Www.alukah.net – شبكة الألوكة. هن قدوتي (1): خديجة بنت خويلد رضي الله عنها
المساهمون في مشاريع ويكيميديا. (2004, October 30). الزوجة الأولى للنبي محمد، و أول من أسلم من النساء (68–3ق.هـ / 556–619م). Wikipedia.org; مؤسسة ويكيميديا. خديجة بنت خويلد – ويكيبيديا
Islamweb. (2025). إسلام ويب. Islamweb إسلام ويب. 1 خديجة بنت خويلد رضي الله عنها
الدرر السنية – الموسوعة الحديثية – شروح الأحاديث. (2025). Dorar.net. https://dorar.net/hadith/sharh/116534
4 Women of Paradise. (n.d.). Muslim.sg. https://muslim.sg/articles/4-women-of-paradise
الدرر السنية – الموسوعة الحديثية – شروح الأحاديث. (2025). Dorar.net. https://dorar.net/hadith/sharh/13510
إسلام ويب. (2019). Islamweb.net. رتبة حديث إِنِّي قَدْ رُزِقْتُ حُبَّهَا
“Khadijah & Muhammad” Final Part: Khadijah’s Death. (2019, November 2). About Islam. https://aboutislam.net/family-life/your-society/khadijah-muhammad-final-part-khadijahs-death-2/