Khadija bint Khuwaylid

A woman who had an impact on Islam

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid was the first wife of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Khadijah successfully managed her father's business interests and preserved the family's fortune. It is said that when the Quraysh's trade caravans gathered to embark upon their lengthy and arduous journey either to Syria during the summer or to Yemen during the winter, Khadijah's caravan equalled the caravans of all other traders of the Quraish put together. She is important in Islam as Muhammad's first wife, and one of the "mothers of the believers". Khadija and Muhammed had six children. They were given two boys, Qasim and 'Abdullah, but neither survived infancy. They were also given four daughters, Zainab, Ruqaiyyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatima.

Contributions of Khadija

• She was the first believer. When the prophet was given revelation through the angel Michael, he was terrified and on his return from Mount Hira, Kahdija was there to comfort him.
• She also was a good wife to the prophet. Durinfg their married life, Mohammed loved her and she supported him. She consoled him when no bobody else would. She remained the only wife of Muhammed until her death at the age of 65.
• When the prophet Muhammed proclaimed his mission as the messenger of Allah, and told the Arabs not to worship idols, he was persecuted everywhere he went and felt very sad. The polytheists made many attempts to stifle his voice forever. In those times of stress and distress, Khadija was a bastion of strength for him. She and his uncle, Abu Talib protected and supported him. Thanks to them the polytheists could not disrupt the prophet Muhammed's work of preaching and propagating Islam. Khadija made thus the most important contribution to the survival and propagation of Islam.

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