Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Question 5

Give an account of the life of Khadija bint Khuwaylid.

Use AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.

Khadija was the daughter of a wealthy businessman Khuwaylid ibn Asad and inherited his wealth when he passed away. She was married to Hala and Atiq before she married the Prophet (pbuh). She had two sons with her first husband and a daughter with her second. She became a successful businesswoman in her own right and was well respected in Makka. She was known as ‘Tahira’ (the pure one).

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, Maysarah, 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 (died in infancy), and four daughters.

When the Prophet (pbuh) received first revelation, he came to Khadija trembling. She reassured him and said, ‘by Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your family, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously, and assist the deserving’. She took him to see her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal who told the Prophet (pbuh) that he is a messenger of God.

She was the first to accept Islam and she supported the Prophet (pbuh) financially, relieving him of financial worries.

Jibril is said to have sent greetings of peace to her, through the Prophet (pbuh), 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’.

She endured the hardships faced by the Muslims when they were boycotted by the Quraysh and died shortly after that. The Prophet (pbuh) became deeply affected by her death and the year became known as the year of sorrow. The Prophet (pbuh) often remembered and spoke very highly of her even after her death which made his other wives jealous of Khadija.

In what ways can Khadija be a role model for Muslims today?

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited.

Khadija can be a role model for all Muslims, especially women.

She was a successful businesswoman therefore, women they can aspire to be like her and go into business, and it allows them to know that they can work. It lets men know they should work with females in authority and have women as colleagues.

Khadija is a role model for Muslims in showing that women, in their different roles, can expect respect from those around them.

She was fair in the way that she treated people, as she was impressed by the Prophet’s honesty and integrity in trading, and so this can inspire people to ensure they also treat their workers and their customers well.

Her support of the Prophet (pbuh) is a good example of the belief and support shown towards family members when they are pursuing goals that are to please God and that are for the betterment of society.