Brief Biography of Lady Khadija (SA)

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

Lady Khadija (SA) was the first wife of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household). She was born in Makka. Her father's name was Khuwaylid bin Asad and he was a wealthy trader.

The Geneology of both Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) and Lady 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 Lady 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 Makka.

She had a cousin called Waraqa bin Naufal who was very learned man and who was not an idol worshipper. Both Waraqa and Lady Khadija were monothiests and believed in one Allah.

First contact with Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household)

Because of her excellent Akhlaq 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, Lady Khadija was looking for someone to be in charge of her caravan to Syria. Lady Abu Talib (AS) suggested the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) 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 Lady Khadija (SA) heard of the Prophet's skills and excellent conduct, she became his admirer.

Marriage with Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household)

Soon it was arranged for Lady Khadija (SA) to be married to the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household). At that time, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) was aged 25 and Lady Khadija (SA) was 40 years of age.

According to Shiite tradition, this was her first marriage and that she was not a widow as is narrated by non-shiite sources. Abu Talib(AS) read the Nikah on behalf of the Prophet whilst Waqara bin Noufal read it for Lady Khadija.

Abu Talib(AS) paid the mehr for his nephew and fed the people of Makka for 3 days in celebration. Lady Khadija too fed the people. The marriage was a very happy one and their first child was a son called Qasim. The second was Abdullah. Both died in infancy. Their third and last child was Lady Fatema Zahra (SA).

Her services for Islam

When the Prophet used to go to meditate in the cave of Hira on Jabel-e-Noor, it was Lady Khadija (SA) herself who would climb up there to give him his food and necesseries. She was the first person to accept Islam as taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his household).

In 616 AD, the Quraish isolated the Bani Hashim (the family of the Prophet) and they took refuge in a ravine called Shib-e-Abu Talib. Lady Khadija (SA) was there too and it was her wealth (which she donated for Islam) that sustained the Muslims at that time. The siege lasted for 3 years during which time they experienced hunger, thirst, and the cold and heat of the desert.

Her Death

Lady Khadija (SA) was married to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) for 25 years. Shed died in 619 AD on the 10th of Ramadan 3 years before the Hijrah. When she died nothing was left of her wealth - all of it was served for the propagation of Islam.

She was buried in Makkah in a cloak of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household). Hazrat Abu Talib(AS) died in this year too. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) called the year Aam-ul- Huzn (the year of grief).

While Lady Khadija (SA) lived, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) did not marry another woman and in later years he always said that she was the best of his wives.

He also said that she was one of the four perfect women who had ever lived. The other three are Lady Aasiya, the wife of Firaun, Lady Maryam, the mother of Prophet Isa (AS), and Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.).