(Commemorating Her Passing on 10 Ramadan)
Introduction: The Woman Who Anchored Islam’s Dawn
In the heart of 6th-century Mecca—a city teeming with trade, tribal rivalries, and idolatry—stood a woman whose legacy would transcend time. Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA), the first wife of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), was more than a Companion; she was the sanctuary where Islam’s first seeds took root. Her passing on 10 Ramadan, three years before the Hijrah (619 CE), marked the end of an era, leaving the Prophet (PBUH) and the fledgling Muslim in the shadow of the Year of Sorrow. Yet, her life remains a timeless testament to faith, resilience, and unconditional love.
Early Life: The Merchant Queen of Arabia
Long before Islam’s dawn, Hazrat Khadija (RA) defied the norms of her time. Born into the noble Quraysh tribe, she inherited her father’s trade empire, becoming one of Mecca’s wealthiest merchants. She managed caravans that rivaled those of Meccan patriarchs, earning the title Al-Tahira (The Pure One) for her integrity and refusal to indulge in pagan rituals. Her generosity was legendary: during a crippling drought, she mortgaged her assets to feed starving tribes—a foreshadowing of her lifelong commitment to justice.
Marriage with the Prophet
At 40, Hazrat Khadija (RA) married the Prophet(PBUH), then known as Al-Amin. The Prophet later reminisced: She believed in me when people rejected me, comforted me when I felt alone, and spent her wealth to uplift the truth.
The First Believer: Pillar of Early Islam
When the first revelation descended in Cave Hira, it was Hazrat Khadija (RA) who steadied the Prophet (PBUH). Wrapping him in a cloak, she declared: “Allah would never abandon you. You honor kinship, speak truth, and bear the burdens of others.” Her unwavering faith transformed their home into Islam’s first sanctuary. She sold her jewels and trade networks to free enslaved Muslims like Zaid ibn Harithah and sustain the community during the brutal Meccan boycott. Her wealth funded the Dawah in secrecy, while her emotional strength shielded the Prophet from despair.
The Year of Sorrow: A Legacy Sealed in Grief
After 25 years of marriage, Hazrat Khadija (RA) succumbed to exhaustion and illness in 619 CE. The Prophet (PBUH), who had leaned on her through persecution and loss, buried her with his own hands. Her death, coupled with the passing of his uncle Abu Talib (RA), plunged him into profound grief, marking the “Year of Sorrow.” He preserved her cloak and perfume, often weeping at their scent. Centuries later, her grave’s destruction in 1925 could not erase her memory; pilgrims still whisper prayers at its ruins, a testament to her enduring spiritual presence.
Lessons from Khadija’s Life
1. Faith in Darkness: Hazrat Khadija (RA) embraced Islam when disbelief reigned, teaching us to trust Divine wisdom amid uncertainty.
2. Feminine Power: She redefined womanhood in a patriarchal world—proof that faith and ambition coexist.
3. Sacrifice for Islam: She traded earthly wealth for eternal reward, reminding us that true success lies in serving Allah’s cause.
4. Resilience: Her life was a marathon of trials—yet she never wavered.
A Prayer for Guidance
“O Allah! Grant us Hazrat Khadija’s unshakable faith in times of doubt, her generosity in times of greed, and her passion of sacrifice that outlived death. Let her story ignite our hearts to serve You with every breath. Ameen.
Final Note: Hazrat Khadija (RA) was not just a historical figure—she is a living lesson. In her, we find devotion, the courage to defy norms, and the power of Divine love that transcends time. As Ramadan’s moon waxes, let her memory inspire us to live with purpose, just as she did.
There are only two personalities in Islam who sacrificed everything they possessed for the religion, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid and Abu Bakr Siddiq
