Muhammad, the founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Qurʾān. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Khadija al-Kubra was the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Khadijah was the ideal wife and mother. She brought wealth, prestige and influence to Mohammad (S.A.W). I often get into debates with people about women in Islam. "I will stand with you Mother Khadija." Her wealth allowed him the leisure to meditate, and she reassured him of the authenticity of his first revelations. Both of these marriages produced children and both left her widowed. She (Aisha) lived with the Prophet Muhammad for 9 years. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. She had a keen eye and was highly intuitive, earning the monikers, Ameerat-Quraysh (“Princess of Quraysh”) and al-Tahira (“The Pure One”) due to her stellar reputation. But if I can, at the very least, continuously strive to emulate her character, I will consider myself a success in life. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who was terrified returned home to his wife, Khadija and said “Cover me with something” and after resting a bit explained what had taken place to his wife. Yet, that did not bother the Prophet (SAW) one bit. Your donation is tax-deductible. Khadija learned of the stellar character of Muhammad, as well as his experience managing caravans on the trade routes accompanying his uncle, Abu Talib. The example she left for mankind remains timeless. Maymunah bint Al Harith is the one who offered herself to the Messenger … Imam Husain ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (ع), Muhammad's grandson and our Third Holy Imam, married the daughter of the last Persian emperor Jazdagird (Yazdegerd) III son of Shahryar and grandson of this same Khusrau II. It is said that Waraka who knew how to read and write and had read the holy books was a Christian. She spent her worldly riches on the poor. Moreover, Muhammad's (and, naturally, Khadijah's) offspring came to marry ladies who were born and raised at Persian as well as Roman palaces. From overcoming oppression, to breaking rules, to reimagining the world or waging a rebellion, these women of history have a story to tell. Khadija was born to a father who was a successful merchant in their Quraysh tribe of Mecca. In Islam, whether rich or poor, one’s financial condition is a test. She was married twice before her wedlock to the Prophet. Gladly swipe my car for a camel; my laptop for a government-issued glass weight to measure goods in trade. I would give anything to do an on-the-job ride-along with Khadija. Khadija (R.A) was Mohammad’s first wife, who was loved and close to him. She helped poor girls get married and provided their dowry. Khadijah received Muhammad’s full attention for as long as she was married to him; twenty-five years. She was the daughter of Khuwaylid ib, son of Asad ibn Abdul Uzza ibn Qusayy. What could I learn in one day of shadowing this highly-respected business leader — trading furniture, pottery and silks? 2) She turned down many marriage proposals. Join our network of more than 2,000 contributors to publish your perspective, share your story and shape the global conversation. As we know, the Prophet has some wives he married like Khadijah, Aisha, Sudah and many more. Click the link to download Islamic videos app from Google play store : http://bit.ly/2KPkAl5 Assalamu Alaikum! The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said if she is ready to marry Him, then He has no objection to it. The Fair Observer website uses digital cookies so it can collect statistics on how many visitors come to the site, what content is viewed and for how long, and the general location of the computer network of the visitor. He loved no one more than Khadija during his lifetime. One month after the death of Khadija, the Prophet sustained another shock in the death of … What we think or don’t think or should be thinking. In recent decades, however, some scholars have articulated the opinion that she was in fact twenty-eight. She was the Prophet’s SAW first wife, and the only woman whom he married prior to his prophethood. Keep writing. He said yes. KhadÄ«jah died in 619, a few years before the Hijrah—the emigration to Medina wherein the Muslim community began crystallizing into a clear sociopolitical force in its own right. She inherited her father’s skills at a time in history when society was male-dominated and dangerous. She belonged to the clan Banu and she was a distant cousin of her husband the prophet Muhammad. According to most sources, she was about 40 years old with children from her previous marriages and Muhammad was about 25. She fell in love with him, and through a friend, she asked him to marry her. According to the traditional sources, KhadÄ«jah provided instrumental support in Muhammad’s early prophethood. Khadijah (RA) was born in 556 A.D to Khuwaylid bin Asad and Fatimah bint Zayd of the Banu Asad tribe, in the city of Mecca. They went to see Khadija’s uncle’s son, Waraka ibn Nawfal. But if it’s even required of me, “Muslim woman” suits me just fine.). 7) She spent her worldly riches on the poor. She is the only virgin woman married to the Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad once said that the four greatest women of mankind were: Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatima bint Muhammad (his youngest daughter,) Mary bint Emran (the Virgin Mary) and Asiya bint Muzahim (the wife of Pharaoh.) Being the most successful woman around, rich in worldly attainment as well as character, it seems Khadija faced a consistent campaign of men seeking her hand in marriage. The third wife of the Prophet Muhammad is Aisha bint Abu Bakr. She bore him six children. He loved her so deeply, and she loved him as deeply. She was very talented and had a wonderful memory. Corrections? But Khadija didn’t need a husband to take care of her financially. It is generally agreed among historians, both Muslim and orientalist, that at the time of her marriage with the Messenger of Allah – may the peace and blessings of Almighty Allah be upon him – his first wife, Khadija, was forty years old. Muslims and Baha'is believe he was a messenger and a prophet of Allah ().He is believed to be a descendant of Ishmael, a son of Abraham, and the last of all prophets (the seal of the prophets).He is seen as an example for all Muslims to follow. 25-Year-Old Muhammad Marries 40-Year-Old Khadijah (Part 2) The marriage of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid to Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH) was something unique to Qurayshi society. She was one of those women whose influence and exceptional characteristics still resonates throughout the ages and among many generations after her. I think I’ve spawned permanent foes because I don’t care to apply the label, feminist, to describe myself. In Islam, whether rich or poor, one’s financial condition is … From this time on for a quarter of a century Khadijah remained his angel of hope and consolation. Khadija’s existence precedes mine by more than 1,400 years. Little is known about her apart from the posthumous accounts of Muhammad’s life (sÄ«rah) and teachings (Hadith). Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Become a Fair Observer and help us make sense of the world. Khadija continues to inspire people to this day who revere her for taking great care of the Prophet of Islam and for showing the world, through her behavior, what a pious, modest and courageous woman can accomplish. At the time of the marriage, the Prophet was twenty-five years old, while Khadijah was forty years old. In Islam, whether rich or poor, one's financial condition is … Muhammad had no other wives while she was alive and had no children by any of his later wives. One of the most prominent and praised women in the history of Islam is Lady Khadija (AS), Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&HP) wife and companion, who had a vital role in the spread of Islam. Love comes when you are not looking, or so I have heard (and experienced). Khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA) was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s first wife, and she made a great example of herself for the women to come. Maymunah bint Al Harith. Khadijah International Waqf (L) Foundation (KIWF) is a charitable waqf (al-waqf al-khai’ri) established under Section 107 of the Labuan Islamic Financial Services and Securities Act 2010. Khadija was one of history’s most remarkable women. Muhammad is traditionally...…. Upon her father’s death, she took over the business and traded goods through the primary commerce centers at that time — from Mecca to Syria and to Yemen — hiring the most trustworthy men of character to brave the dangerous trade routes. Register for $9.99 per month and become a member today. Muhammad’s prophethood began during his marriage to Khadija, when he received the first of God’s revelations through the Angel Gabriel that left him frightened, strained and feeling alone when no one believed in him. Help us to inform and educate. When they were married, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was 25 years old, and Khadijah was 40. Prophet Muhammad was married to one wife, Khadijah, until she died. 5) She was an ideal wife; theirs was a true love story. This cookie consists of the word “yes” to enable us to remember your acceptance of the site cookie notification, and prevents it from displaying to you in future. Muhammad's wives, or the wives of Muhammad, were the women married to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Adam Zeidan is an Assistant Editor, having joined. Jazdagerd ruled Persia from 632-651 A.D. and lost the Battle of Qadisiyya to the Muslim forces in 636, thus ending the 427-year rule of t… (I’m not one for labels, sorry. Allah blessed Mohammad (S.A.W) with the ideal wife in Khadija (R.A) who was … She remains, to this day, a paradigm of endless strength, resilience, honor, loyalty, and nobility. She resigned herself to being a widowed woman, taking care of herself and her family. Updates? Glass ceiling? Muslims often use the term "Mothers of the Believers" prominently before or after referring to them as a sign of respect, a term derived from the Quran. What Should Muslims Sacrifice This Eid al-Adha. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. KhadÄ«jah, (died 619, Mecca, Arabia [now in Saudi Arabia]), merchant who was the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Moreover, she consulted her relative Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who is said to have likened Muhammad’s revelations to those of Moses, further providing Muhammad confidence in his revelations. Muhammad (Arabic: محمد ‎; pronounced ; c. 570 – 8 June 632) was the founder of Islam. These cookies track our website’s performance and also help us to continuously improve the experience we provide to you. She hired him into her conglomerate. KhadÄ«jah was born in the 6th century ce to merchants of the Quraysh tribe, which ruled Mecca. She was buried in Hujun above Makkah. These cookies essential for the website to function. He was in her employ when she offered to marry him. Khadija died on the 10th of Ramadan of the 10th year of the Proclamation of Islam. Her business was larger than all of the Quraysh trades combined, and it was the most acclaimed with a reputation of fair-dealing and high-quality goods. The Prophet Muhammad died when she was 18 years old. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy. Marriages at this time were typically necessary for survival and not always about love as we know it in today’s world. After the burial, the Apostle himself smoothed the earth on her grave. Prophet Muhammad's marriage with Khadija bint Khuwaylid when he was 25 years old 5  5176 Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) returned to Mecca, and Khadijah saw a level of trustworthiness from her trader and blessings with her money she had never seen before. 1,400 years ago, yes, Khadija shattered it. They were married for 25 years, and she bore him seven children : 3 sons and 4 daughters. Aisha - Youngest Wife of the Prophet Muhammad Short Biography of Aisha Bint Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Aisha was the youngest and favorite wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Fair Observer uses these aggregate statistics from website visits to help improve the content of the website and to provide regular reports to our current and future donors and funding organizations. KhadÄ«jah and Muhammad did not have any sons who survived childhood. She was greeted with “salam” (peace) by God himself as well as the Angel Gabriel. Join over 400 people to become a donor or you could choose to be a sponsor. Aisha (r.a) was a great Muslim lady. If Khadija’s story hasn’t broken stereotypes about Islam yet, it might intrigue you to know that she was 40 years old when she married Muhammad. She employed Muhammad when he was in his early 20s to manage a caravan to Syria and subsequently offered him marriage. 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