Asma Maryam Ali

I was reading a bit about Khadijah bint al Khuwailid, and I am amazed by her–may Allah SWT be pleased with her. She defies so many preconceived notions we have about womanhood, femininity and feminism, and she transcends my understanding of islam and iman.

She was so strong and independent. She persisted in business after having been widowed. She employed people to work for her and treated them justly. Allah SWT honoured her when she employed Muhammad, the man who was to become the last messenger of Allah , may Allah ’s peace and blessings be on them. 

She recognized the beauty in that man, may Allah ’s peace and blessings be on them. She heard good things about Muhammad and despite being fifteen years his senior, believed that he would be a good husband to her. She inquired about him through their mutual acquaintances and sought his hand in marriage; he happily agreed. She was his first wife and he did not remarry until after her death, may Allah ’s peace and blessings be on them. After her death he is said to have spoken of her as though she was the only woman in the world. He spoke about her and thought about her; he honored and loved those whom she loved; he would not have her legacy forsaken:

‘She believed in me when no one else did. She embraced Islam when people disbelieved me. And she helped and comforted me in her person and wealth when there was no one else to lend a helping hand. I had children from her only.’

She knew the importance of family. He moved to her home where they built a life together; she bore his six children over the years, may Allah ’s peace and blessings be on them. She was their caregiver, their comfort and their companion for twenty-five years, until she died in what was thereafter named ‘the year of sorrow’. May Allah be pleased with her.

She was a pillar of strength for those around her. She believed in Muhammad, without doubt, and resorted to her cousin to verify and reassure Muhammad of his messengerhood, may Allah ’s peace and blessings be on them. She supported her husband, their large household and the believers through harsh persecution and poverty while she was in her fifties and sixties.

She touches me because of the depth of her humanity amidst her trials, her status, her wealth, and her age.

She was a queen amongst men and women.

Where can we find men and women who would live up to her legacy?

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