Sayyiduna Abu Huraira narrated, Gabriel came to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! This is Khadija coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (i.e. Allah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a Qasab palace in Paradise wherein there will be neither any noise nor any fatigue (trouble).” Her full name is Khadijah bint Khuwaylid ibn Asad ibn Abd al-Uzza ibn Qusayy. She was born in Makkah and was raised in a famous and respected household, her father passed away duaring Sacrilegious War (battle of al-Fujjar). She was married twice before the Prophet ﷺ to two Arab noblemen. Lady Khadijah was very fortunate when it came to trade. Her caravans were continuously roaming between Makkah and the different trading cities of the time. She was known for her good reputation, generosity, and fairness that she was called the ”Pure One” before Islam. She used to employ men to trade for her, she sought smart, honest, and respectful men, the prophet Muhammad was one of them.
It is narrated that she once sent him to Syria in the company of her servant Maysarah. When they returned, her servant told her about the Prophet’s ﷺ character and the trustworthiness and purity he had shown. Besides this, there were the blessings that Allah bestowed on him; his profits multiplying. Lady Khadijah was impressed with the personality of the prophet ﷺ and she wanted to marry him. So she sent her friend Nafeesah bint Maniyyah to tell the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about that. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) agreed, and the marriage of Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her) was arranged by her father Khuwaylid. She was in her forties, and the prophet Muhammad was 25 years old. During their marriage, Allah blessed them was six children, al-Qasim, Abdullah, Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthūm, and Fāŧimah. Lady Kgadijah managed to grant the prophet Muhammad a happy marriage. She stood by him through thick and thin, until he received the revelation.
Lady Ayisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated: The commencement (of the Divine Inspiration) to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of true dreams in his sleep, for he never had a dream but it turned out to be true and clear as the bright daylight. Then he began to like seclusions, so he used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship Allah continuously for many nights before going back to his family to take the necessary provision (of food) for the stay. He come back to (his wife) Khadijah again to take his provision (of food) likewise, till one day he received the Guidance while he was in the cave of Hira. An Angel came to him and asked him to read. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) replied, “I do not know how to read.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “Then the Angel held me (forcibly) and pressed me so hard that I felt distressed. Then he released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he held me again and pressed me for the second time till I felt distressed. He then released me and asked me to read, but again I replied. ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he held me for the third time and pressed me till I got distressed, and then he released me and said, ‘Read, in the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists), has created man out of a clot, Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen, has taught man that which he knew not.” (96.1-5). Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) returned with that experience; and the muscles between his neck and shoulders were trembling till he came upon Khadijah (his wife) and said, “Cover me!” They covered him, and when the state of fear was over, he said to Khadijah, “O Khadijah! What is wrong with me? I was afraid that something bad might happen to me.” Then he told her the story. Khadijah said, “Nay! But receive the good tidings! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you, for by Allah, 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.” Khadijah then took him to Waraqa bin Naufil, the son of Khadijah’s paternal uncle. Waraqa had been converted to Christianity in the Pre-lslamic Period and used to write Arabic and write of the Gospel in Arabic as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadijah said (to Waraqa), “O my cousin! Listen to what your nephew is going to say.” Waraqa said, “O my nephew! What have you seen?” The Prophet (ﷺ) then described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, “This is the same Angel (Gabriel) who was sent to Moses. I wish I were young.” He added some other statement. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked, “Will these people drive me out?” Waraqa said, “Yes, for nobody brought the like of what you have brought, but was treated with hostility. If I were to remain alive till your day (when you start preaching). then I would support you strongly.”
Lady Khadijah bint Khuwailid supported the prophet Muhammad in his Dawa to Islam when he received the revelation from Allah. She is the mother of the believers, the first wife of the Prophet ﷺ and the finest of them, the mother of his children, and the first person to believe in him. She is the one to whom Allah’s Messenger (may peace he upon him) gave glad tidings to her of a palace in Paradise. May Allah be pleased with her and gather us with her in Jannah.
