Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (555-619 CE) was the beloved first wife of Prophet Muhammad and the very first person to embrace Islam. Born into the prestigious Quraysh tribe, she was a wealthy merchant who earned the titles at-Tahirah (the Pure One) and Ameerat Quraysh (Princess of Quraysh) for her noble character. She hired Muhammad to lead her trade caravan to Syria, and upon witnessing his exceptional integrity, she initiated a marriage proposal through an intermediary.

During twenty-five years of marriage, Khadijah was Muhammad's closest confidant, strongest supporter, and most trusted advisor. When the first revelation came and the Prophet was shaken with awe and uncertainty, she spoke the historic words of reassurance: 'By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kin, bear the burdens of the weak, help the poor, serve your guests generously, and assist those afflicted by calamity.' She dedicated her vast wealth to the cause of Islam and endured the hardships of the Quraysh boycott without complaint.

Khadijah is one of the four greatest women in the history of Islam, as stated by the Prophet himself. Her death in 619 CE, in the same year as Abu Talib's death, marked the Year of Sorrow (Am al-Huzn), one of the most painful periods in the Prophet's life. Her legacy as the Mother of the Believers remains an enduring model of faith, loyalty, and sacrifice.