Islamiyat · May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Question 5

The first wife of the Prophet (pbuh) was Khadija. Write about the main events of her life.

Use the AO1 Marking Grid

Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be credited.

Khadija was the daughter of a wealthy businessman and inherited his wealth when he passed away. She was married to Abu Hala and Atiq before she married the Prophet (pbuh). She is believed to have a daughter and two sons from her previous marriages. She became a successful businesswoman in her own right and was well respected in Makka.

She would employ different people to go on trade expeditions for her, and she employed the Prophet (pbuh) as a merchant on one of these expeditions. She sent her servant, Maysara, with him. After hearing of his trading skills and honesty as a merchant, she proposed marriage to him, which he accepted. At the time she was 40 and he was 25.

They had six children together, their two sons dying in infancy, and then four daughters. When the Prophet (pbuh) received revelation, he came to Khadija trembling. She reassured him that God would not humiliate him. She took him to see her cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal who told the Prophet (pbuh) that he is a messenger of God.

She was the first to publicly accept Islam and she supported the Prophet (pbuh) financially. She endured the hardships faced by the Muslims when they were boycotted by the Quraysh and died shortly after that.

Jibril is said to have sent greetings of peace to her, through the Prophet, from God and himself. After her death the Prophet (pbuh) said about her, ‘I have not yet found a better wife than her. She had faith in me when everyone, even members of my own family and tribe did not believe me, and accepted that I was truly a Prophet and a Messenger of Allah. She converted to Islam, spent all her wealth and worldly goods to help me spread this faith, and this too at a time when the entire world seemed to have turned against me and persecuted me. And it is through her that Allah blessed me with children.’

The Prophet(pbuh) is reported to remember her often after her death and it used to cause jealousy, sometimes, amongst his other wives.

What does Khadija’s marriage to the Prophet (pbuh) teach Muslims about family relationships?

Use the AO2 Marking Grid

Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be credited.

Their marriage teaches Muslims that trust and loyalty are important parts of a family relationship, which need to be nurtured to build good family relations. When in times of difficulty, family members should offer each other physical, moral and financial support.

Candidates could also say that age should not be a barrier in a relationship and that advice and guidance can be sought and given from those respected in the family, whether they are younger or older.