Lady Khadija (AS) the first woman of faith and the cherished wife of the Prophet (S)

In the interview below, Lady Khadija reveals her challenges and struggles in the face of fierce opposition.

In an age of ignorance and oppression of women, Lady Khadija‘s life elevated the role of women in a morally corrupt society. She was an inspiration to all believing women - a guide, a compass and a light pointing to what a true believer should embody. Below is an interview with Lady Khadija about her relationship with the Prophet Muhammad (S), written to emphasize their mutual respect, love, and deep connection within the framework of their relationship as partners in both the spiritual and worldly journey. In Islam, Lady Khadija is regarded not only as the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (S) but was also a highly influential and pious woman who played a pivotal role in the early days of Islam.

In the interview below, Lady Khadija reveals her challenges and struggles in the face of fierce opposition. Taken from sources of Hadith, this conversation reflects the profound spiritual and emotional connection between the two.

Interviewer:
So tell me, Lady Khadija, where were you born and raised?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"I was born in Makkah, in the heart of Arabia, into a family of great nobility. My father, Khuwaylid ibn Asad, was well-respected and known for his integrity and business acumen. He came from one of the most honored families in all of Arabia. His trade ventures brought him prosperity. He traded in goods from far-flung places like Syria and Yemen, and even sold pedigreed horses in Syria. His wealth allowed us to live comfortably, and it afforded us a certain standing in society."

Interviewer:
What was it like in Makkah at that time?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"Makkah was a society dominated by men, and unfortunately, women were not treated with the respect they deserved. They were seen as liabilities. Many men lived their lives in a state of lawlessness, engaging in endless wars, plundering villages, and indulging in vice. They would gather in the marketplace, listening to poetry and participating in extravagant celebrations. These festivals, and even the fairs, were the highlight of their year, but beyond that, there was so much darkness. The society had become degenerate—trading, gambling, drinking, and abusing women. The practice of burying daughters alive was a scourge on this land, a practice that I could never fathom. How could anyone commit such an act against a defenseless newborn?"

Interviewer:
How did you manage to run a business and survive in such an environment?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"It was not easy, I will admit. But I was raised with a sense of dignity and strong values, and I surrounded myself with good people. I made sure to stay away from troublemakers, those who perpetuated the corruption of society. My family’s wealth and status offered some protection, but it didn’t shield me from the harshness of the world. I found solace and strength in people like my cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal."

Interviewer: What was it about Waraqah that inspired you?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"Waraqah was truly a remarkable man, one of the few who could see past the blindness of idol worship and societal decay. He was deeply committed to truth and justice. He condemned the practice of idol worship, and more importantly, he was an advocate for the sanctity of life, especially for women and children. He would intervene if he learned that a father was about to bury his daughter. If he couldn’t stop them, he would take the girl in, offering her protection until the father changed his mind. He was a man who upheld the values of mercy, humanity, and compassion. Waraqah was well-read, especially in Christian and Jewish scriptures, and through his studies, he recognized that the truth he sought in these religions was not found in the idols of Makkah, but rather in the promise of a coming prophet who would guide humanity to the worship of the One True God."

Interviewer:
How did you first hear about the Prophet Muhammad?

Lady Khadija (AS):
I had heard about Muhammad long before I met him. He was already known in Makkah as 'Al-Amin,' the trustworthy one. His reputation was impeccable. People spoke of his honesty, integrity, and consideration for others. When merchants and traders had valuable items, they trusted no one more than Muhammad. They would leave their wealth—whether cash, jewelry, or ornaments—under his care, knowing that he would protect them as if they were his own. He had such an aura of honesty and reliability that it was impossible not to notice. It was not only his business dealings that drew people to him, but his character. His treatment of others was thoughtful and gentle, something rare in such a harsh and unforgiving world."

Interviewer:
So how did you come to know him personally?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"As fate would have it, I was in need of a trustworthy and reliable man to manage my caravan trade to Syria. I had heard of Muhammad’s integrity and reputation, and I thought to myself, 'Who better to handle this journey than someone whose character is beyond reproach?' I sent for him and offered him the job of overseeing the caravan’s affairs. Not only did he carry out the task with great success, but he did so with such honesty that it made me admire him even more. And when the caravan returned, he had earned not just a reputation for being a skillful businessman, but for his ethical conduct and how he treated the men working with him."

Interviewer:
And what happened after that?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"When I saw the integrity he exhibited in his dealings, it touched me deeply. But what truly caught my heart was the purity of his soul. I had been searching for a man of deep moral character, someone who was not only trustworthy but also pure in heart. Muhammad embodied all of those qualities. I knew, even before I sent him the proposal of marriage, that he was a man of great promise. His truthfulness and integrity spoke volumes to me, and I believed he was the man I had been waiting for. So, I sent him a proposal, and when he accepted, it felt like a partnership not only in this world but a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves."

Interviewer:
It seems clear that Muhammad’s (S) character was the defining factor for you. But from a larger perspective, how did you see the role of women at the time in society?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"In Makkah, women had little value, and their lives were often defined by their relationships with men. We were seen as property rather than as individuals with worth, intelligence, and potential. And I will not sugarcoat it—I was deeply disturbed by the way our society treated women, especially when it came to practices like female infanticide. How could a society allow the murder of its daughters? It was a practice I could not accept, and it was part of what drove me to seek change. That is why I was so drawn to Muhammad. He had a vision—a vision of a society based on justice, mercy, and equality, a society where women and men could live with dignity and respect, and where the sanctity of life would be upheld. I believed in that vision, and I wanted to be part of it."

Interviewer:
And from that moment on, you both walked the same path. What was that path like for you?

Lady Khadija (AS):
"The path was not easy, but it was a path of truth and righteousness. When Muhammad received the first revelation, it was a moment of divine clarity for both of us. I was the first to believe in him, and I supported him with all that I had. It was not just a matter of believing in his prophethood—it was about believing in the truth of what he had received from Allah. I stood by him when others mocked him, when they persecuted him and us. I gave him all my love, my wealth, and my strength. And together, we laid the foundation for a message that would eventually transform the world."

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Source: Khadijah al-Kubra: The Great Lady and the First Wife of the Holy Prophet (A Short Story of her Life), A. A. Razwy. Qum. Iran