The Marriage of Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad: A Love Story for the Ages
One of the most enduring love stories in history is the union of Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The first love of Prophet Muhammad’s life was Khadija bint Khuwaylid, who was renowned for her beauty, tenacity, and faith. Their union was the epitome of adoration, selflessness, and fortitude. The first Muslim in Islam, Lady Khadija, passed away on 10 Ramadan in the year 619 AD.
In this article, we will explore the circumstances that brought Lady Khadija and the Prophet Muhammad together, despite their vast age difference. In addition, we will examine the unprecedented hardships they endured for Islam, such as social pressure, economic hardship, and the early persecution of Muslims in Mecca.
With Lady Khadija standing by her husband through thick and thin and even offering her wealth to support the Muslim community, their marriage served as a potent example of unity and support. They endured many hardships, but their love never wavered, and their marriage served as an example for Muslim couples in the future.
The Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Lady Khadija left a lasting legacy. Their love story is an inspiration to many, emphasising the value of perseverance, selflessness, and faith in a happy marriage. This article will demonstrate the timeless beauty of their tale as well as the lessons that can be drawn from it.
Background
Before we get into the love story between Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad, it’s important to know about their pasts.
Before they met and fell in love, Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad came from very different backgrounds. Lady Khadija was the richest woman in Mecca and a thriving businesswoman. She was raised in an affluent household and successfully built upon her wealth by expanding her trading business. She was renowned for her wit, kindness, and generosity.
On the other hand, the Prophet Muhammad was a modest man who worked as a trader and a shepherd. Although he was a member of the Banu Hashim clan and was born in Mecca, his family was not particularly wealthy. Despite this, he was regarded highly in his community and was known for his honesty, kindness, and wisdom.
Their disparate backgrounds did not prevent them from falling in love. It is significant to remember that neither Lady Khadija’s wealth nor Prophet Muhammad’s humility diminished their romance. Their relationship was built on a foundation of respect, admiration, and a closeness that cut across their differences.
How They Met
Lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid had significant business dealings with Prophet Muhammad, which made their meeting notable. Lady Khadija was impressed by Prophet Muhammad’s honesty and business acumen, and she hired him to take her goods to Syria.
The trip was a success, and Lady Khadija was so impressed with Prophet Muhammad’s work that she proposed him to marry her. Their happy marriage, which lasted for 25 years, officially began with this.
In light of Lady Khadijah’s invaluable support during the early stages of the Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood, this union marked a pivotal moment in the Prophet’s life. Prophet Muhammad expressed his grief over Lady Khadijah’s death and referred to the year after her death as “the year of sorrow.”
The Prophet Muhammad buried Lady Khadijah in the al-Ma’lat Cemetery in Mecca, which is located near Mount Al-Hajun. Overall, Lady Khadijah and Prophet Muhammad’s meeting was a significant event that led to a happy and successful marriage and marked the beginning of Prophet Muhammad’s journey to prophethood.
The Marriage
The marriage between Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad was a union of equals. They had a great deal of respect and admiration for one another, and their relationship was built on mutual trust and understanding.
The union of Lady Khadija and the Prophet Muhammad is frequently cited as the ideal marriage in Islam. Their 25-year marriage was founded on a shared deep sense of love, respect, and admiration. Lady Khadija was a successful businesswoman, and the Prophet Muhammad was a well-respected member of his community, so they were considered equal partners in their marriage. They were married when she was 40 and he was 25 years old.
Lady Khadija was admired by the people of Mecca for her exceptional character and organisational skills. Even the name Tahira, which translates to “the pure one,” was given to her.
Mutual love and respect characterised their relationship. Prophet Muhammad’s first love, Lady Khadija, endured in his heart long after her passing. She was also his closest confidante and gave him the encouragement and support he required to fulfill his role as a prophet.
The Love Between Them
Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad shared a love that was timeless and universal. Their relationship was based on mutual respect and trust, and they stood by each other through good times and bad.
The first person to support and encourage the Prophet Muhammad in his mission was Lady Khadija, who gave him the help and inspiration he needed to spread Islam. Throughout Prophet Muhammad’s formative years as a prophet, Lady Khadija stood by his side, offering him guidance and emotional support.
Prophet Muhammad, on the other hand, cherished and revered Lady Khadija even after her passing. The Prophet Muhammad loved Lady Khadija so much that he never took another wife while she was still alive. Ten years after Prophet Muhammad’s call to prophethood, when Lady Khadija died, he personally buried her.
The Impact of Their Marriage
The marriage between Lady Khadija and the Prophet Muhammad was a pivotal event in Islamic history.
Before her marriage, Lady Khadija was a wealthy and successful businesswoman who provided Prophet Muhammad with crucial support throughout his prophethood. She was the first person to accept Islam and was the first witness to the prophethood of Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad’s perseverance in his mission to spread the message of Islam was significantly aided by her support and encouragement.
The early years of Islam were significantly influenced by Lady Khadija. She provided both financial and emotional support for Prophet Muhammad, and it was her wealth that allowed him to concentrate on fulfilling his prophetic mission without concern for his financial situation.
She never wavered in her belief in his prophethood, which enabled him to overcome the difficulties he encountered in the early days of Islam. The early Islamic teachings and practices were also shaped by Lady Khadija’s encouragement and leadership.
Even after her death, the impact of Lady Khadija’s marriage to the Prophet Muhammad persisted. For the rest of his life, Prophet Muhammad thought of her with love, affection, and gratitude. She is regarded as a significant figure in Islamic history for her contributions to the early years of Islam, which are still remembered today.
Concluding
People all over the world have been inspired by the remarkable love story between Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad. Their relationship was based on love, trust, and mutual respect, and it continues to be an inspiration for couples even today.
After the first revelation, Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad woke up every morning with a renewed sense of purpose, clarity, and inner peace. It is impossible to overstate her influence on the early years of Islam given how much support and encouragement she gave him.
The strength of Lady Khadija’s character and her dignified femininity made her an exceptional woman. She was cherished by Prophet Muhammad and was remembered for her fortitude, kindness, and faith. Prophet Muhammad continued to show his love for her even after she passed away by sending food and assistance to her friends and family.
Overall, the love story of Lady Khadija and Prophet Muhammad continues to be an inspiration for couples and individuals who want to create strong, lasting bonds of love, trust, and respect in their relationships. It is impossible to overstate Lady Khadija’s influence on the early years of Islam and her unwavering support for the Prophet Muhammad.
References
Dar Rah Haqq’s Board of Writers (Author), N. Tawheedi (Translator,)A Glance at the Life fo the Holy Prophet of Islam, (Mostazafan Foundation of New York; 1st edition 2020) <https://www.amazon.com/
Dr. Muhammad Noman, et al, “The Role Of Women In The Propagation And Defence Of Islam During The Prophet’s (PBUH) Era”, Vol. 7 No. 3 (2023), Journal of Positive School Psychology.
Shadaab Rahemtulla, and Sara Ababneh, “Reclaiming Khadija’s and Muhammad’s Marriage as an Islamic Paradigm: Toward a New History of the Muslim Present.” Vol. 3 No. 2 (2021)Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, pp. 83-102.
David Samuel Margoliouth, Mohammed and the Rose of Islam, Putnam (New York and London, 1905) (Orientalist), https://
Maulana Shibli Numani, Seerat-un-Nabi, Azamgarh, (first published 1914) India (urdu)
Maulana Syed Karrar Hussain Kararvi, Malikatul Arab, Lahore, Pakistan (1970) (urdu)
