Lady Khadijah (RA) – The Merchant Queen Who Sacrificed Her Wealth and Life for Islam


In the history of Islam, certain names shine like eternal beacons, and among the brightest is Lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA). She was a woman who lived at the heart of Quraysh society, enjoying great wealth and prestige, yet she never allowed worldly riches to capture her heart.


Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid, belonged to the noble clan of Banu Asad. She was known in Makkah as Al-Tahira (“the Pure One”), not only for her noble lineage but also for her impeccable character, dignity, and wisdom. In an era when women rarely engaged in large-scale trade, Khadijah successfully managed one of the most prosperous and respected trading caravans in Arabia.


Her caravans traveled from Makkah to Syria, Yemen, and beyond. The finest merchants of Quraysh invested and worked under her business leadership, earning her the title “The Queen of Merchants.”


The most important turning point in her life came when she entrusted her trade caravan to a young man known for his honesty and integrity – Muhammad Al-Amin (peace be upon him). His flawless conduct during the trade journey to Syria deeply impressed her, leading to a marriage that would unite not only two noble hearts but also lay the foundation for the greatest mission in history.


When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation, Khadijah was the very first woman to believe in him. She was not just a loyal wife but the strongest supporter of his Prophetic mission. She devoted all her wealth to Islam – financing the needs of the early Muslims and supporting the Prophet through the most challenging days of his call.


During the harsh years of the Quraysh’s economic and social boycott in the valley of Abu Talib (Shi‘b Abi Talib), Khadijah used her wealth to feed and protect the small Muslim community. She endured hunger, hardship, and persecution alongside the Prophet without complaint, her resolve unshaken.


The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) often spoke with deep love and gratitude about her, saying:


> “She believed in me when the people disbelieved; she trusted me when others denied me; she gave me of her wealth when others withheld; and Allah blessed me with children through her and not through any other wife.”




In the 10th year of Prophethood, both Khadijah and Abu Talib passed away. The Prophet named it “The Year of Sorrow” (Aam al-Huzn), for he had lost his greatest supporter and his most beloved companion. Until the end of his life, he remembered Khadijah with affection and honor.


Lady Khadijah proved that wealth, when dedicated to truth, can change the destiny of the world. She remains an eternal role model for all men and women who wish to use their resources for justice, compassion, and faith.


Today, whenever the name of Islam is mentioned and the call to prayer is heard anywhere in the world, a part of that sound carries the legacy of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA) – the noble woman who gave everything for the sake of Allah.