And the foremost to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirun) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. (Surah Tauba; Aayat 100)
Once Gibrael came to the house of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) and said that Khadījah (may Allah be pleased with her) is coming to you with some food; when she comes, give her greetings/salam from Allah and from me.
Khadījah al-Kubra was the first among all people to accept Islam. She was one of the richest persons in Makkah. It is said about her that she was born with a silver spoon. Her house was blessed with revelation coming into it to Allah’s Messenger.
Yet when she left for her heavenly abode, there were hardly a few dirhams left in her account. As soon as she accepted Islam, she laid down all her wealth with Allah’s Messenger to spend it in Allah’s way. She stood by Him all her life and supported him completely. The holy Messenger did not take another wife as long as Khadījah lived.
Once Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) drew four lines on the ground and asked his Companions what it denoted. They replied that Allah and His Messenger knew better. The Blessed Messenger explained that these four lines denote four women of Jannah namely Khadījah, Fatima, Maryam and Aasia (may Allah be pleased with all of them).
Khadījah earned three titles: Ameerat-Quraish (Princess of Quraish), al-Tahira (the Pure One), and Khadījah Al-Kubra (Khadījah the Great). She used to feed and clothe the poor, assist her relatives financially, and provide for the marriage of those of her kin who could not otherwise have had the means to marry.
Among all his wives, she was most beloved to Muhammad, as has been stated in hadith literature.
According to Kazi Ejaz and Ibne Abdul Bir’s book Al-Estiab:
Once the Blessed Messenger mentioned Khadījah before Aisha, the latter responded: “She was not but a such and such of an old lady, and Allah replaced her with a better one for you.” He replied: “Indeed Allah did not grant me better than her; she accepted me when people rejected me, she believed in me when people doubted me, she shared her wealth with me when people deprived me, and Allah granted me children only through her.” Aisha says, after this incident, “I learnt to keep quiet, whenever Khadījah’s name was mentioned by Muhammad.” (Sahih Muslim)
In another hadith, Aisha added: “I annoyed the Messenger one day and said, ’It is Khadījah only who always prevails upon your mind’. Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Allah Himself had nurtured Her love in my heart’.”
Even the Non-Muslims have praised her integrity and nobility.
Ronald Bodley in his book The Messenger, the Life of Mohammed, 1946 wrote:
“God is my protection, Oh Abul Kasim!” said Khadījah, “Rejoice and be of good cheer. He in Whose hands stands the life of Khadījah, is my Witness that thou wilt be the Messenger of His people!” Then she added, “Hast thou not been loving to thy kinsfolk, kind to thy neighbours, charitable to the poor, hospitable to the stranger, faithful to thy word, and ever a defender of the truth?”
Washington Irving in his book Life of Mohammed wrote:
After the first encounter with Gabriel, Mohammed came trembling and agitated to Khadījah. She saw everything with the eye of faith. “Joyful tidings dost thou bring,” exclaimed she, by Him, in Whose hand is the soul of Khadījah, I will henceforth regard thee as the Prophet of our nation. Rejoice,” added she, “Allah will not suffer thee to fall to shame. Hast thou not been loving to thy kinsfolk, kind to thy neighbours, charitable to the poor, hospitable to the stranger, faithful to thy word, and ever a defender of the truth?”
Let’s briefly look at the life of this great Mother of Believers.
Khadījah was called Tahira before accepting Islam. She was known for her strength of character, softness of heart, excessive generosity, smart business acumen, farsightedness, humble nature, intelligence, nobility, integrity, honesty, and purity of spirit, gratitude, faithfulness, contentment of heart, great sacrifice.
Khadījah bint Khuwaylid or Khadījah al-Kubra (Khadījah the Great) was the first wife of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). She was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn Asad and Fatimah bint Za’idah and belonged to the clan of Banu Asad. She is one of the “Mothers of the Believers”. Three of her daughters got married to Khalifas: Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatima (leader of the women in Paradise). She was grandmother of Husain and Hasan.
She belonged to a well-known, very rich and noble family of Makkah. Her father had been one of the most honoured leaders of their tribe until he was killed in a battle. Her husband had also died, leaving her a very wealthy woman. Khadījah was on a lookout for some honest man to manage her business. When she heard about the honest and noble young man called “Ameen”, she decided to entrust him with some of her wealth, asking him to trade with it in Syria on her behalf. He was already well known for his honesty, truthfulness and trustworthiness. He returned from Syria after having made a large profit for Khadījah.