Ummi Khadeja: The Devoted Zawja-e-Rasool and Pillar of Early Islam
Her Life, Legacy, and Unwavering Support for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Among the most revered women in Islamic history stands **Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA)**, honored by generations of Muslims with the title **Ummi Khadeja**—the mother of the believers. As the **first wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)**, the first person to accept Islam, and a steadfast supporter of the Prophet’s mission, Khadeja (RA) holds a singularly exalted place in both Islamic tradition and human legacy.
### **Early Life and Noble Character**
Khadijah (RA) was born around 555 CE into the respected Qurayshi tribe of Banu Asad in Makkah. Her father, **Khuwaylid ibn Asad**, was a successful merchant, and Khadeja inherited not only his wealth but also his business acumen and strong moral compass.
She earned the titles **"Tahira"** (the pure one) and **"Sayyidat Quraysh"** (the lady of Quraysh) long before Islam dawned, due to her unmatched integrity, generosity, and dignity. A successful and independent businesswoman, she managed a vast trading empire and was known to employ agents to conduct trade on her behalf. One such agent would change the course of her life—and history itself.
### **Marriage to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ**
At age 40, Khadeja (RA) proposed marriage to the 25-year-old **Muhammad ibn Abdullah ﷺ**, deeply impressed by his honesty, diligence, and character during a trade journey he undertook for her. Their marriage was a union of deep mutual love, respect, and trust. Khadeja (RA) became not only a beloved wife but the Prophet’s closest confidant and source of unwavering emotional and financial support.
Their home was one of peace and devotion, and together they had six children, including **Fatima Zahra (RA)**, the mother of the Prophet’s descendants through Hasan and Husayn.
### **The First Believer and Supporter of Islam**
When revelation first descended upon the Prophet ﷺ in the Cave of Hira, it was Khadeja (RA) who comforted him, reassured him, and took him to her cousin, **Waraqah ibn Nawfal**, a Christian scholar who confirmed the divine nature of the Prophet’s experience.
Khadija (RA) became the **first person to accept Islam**, making her the first Muslim in history. Her faith never wavered, even as the Quraysh turned increasingly hostile toward the Prophet and his message. She supported the mission of Islam with her entire being—her heart, her wealth, and her reputation.
During the years of persecution, especially the **Boycott of the Hashim clan** in the valley of Abu Talib, Khadeja endured tremendous hardship without complaint. She spent her entire fortune to support the early Muslim community, feed the poor, and care for the persecuted. Her sacrifice laid the economic and emotional foundation for the growing ummah.
### **Death and the Year of Sorrow**
In the 10th year of Prophethood, Khadeja (RA) passed away at the age of 65. Her death, soon followed by that of Abu Talib (the Prophet’s uncle and protector), plunged the Prophet ﷺ into deep grief. This year is known in Islamic history as **“Aam al-Huzn”**—the Year of Sorrow.
The Prophet ﷺ never forgot her. He would often remember her with tears in his eyes, praising her loyalty and excellence, and maintaining bonds with her family and friends long after her passing. He once said,
> *“She believed in me when the people disbelieved in me. She supported me when no one else did. She comforted me when I was alone. And Allah granted me children through her and no other wife.”*
### **Legacy and Status in Islam**
Ummi Khadeja (RA) is one of the four greatest women in Islam, as mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ, alongside **Maryam (mother of Isa), Asiya (wife of Pharaoh), and Fatima (daughter of the Prophet).** She is referred to as **"Umm al-Mu'mineen"**—Mother of the Believers—a title given to all wives of the Prophet, but one she uniquely exemplified in every sense.
Her life is a beacon for Muslim women and men alike: a shining example of integrity, intelligence, strength, and devotion. She showed the world that one could be both materially successful and deeply spiritual, powerful yet humble, and unshakably loyal to truth and justice.
### **Conclusion**
Ummi Khadeja (RA) was more than the wife of the Prophet ﷺ; she was his partner, his protector, his first follower, and one of the earliest architects of the Islamic movement. Her sacrifices, faith, and love helped Islam survive its most fragile early years.
In every account of the Prophet’s life, the name **Khadijah bint Khuwaylid** stands out as a symbol of courage, purity, and devotion. Truly, she was—and remains—a **Pillar of Early Islam** and a **beloved Zawja-e-Rasool** whose legacy continues to inspire.
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Irshad Abbasi
"Studying is the best cure for sorrow and grief." shirazi
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