Blessed Marriage of Lady Khadijah and Prophet Muhammad

1. Lady Khadijah’s Eminent Position Before Her Marriage

Lady Khadijah (p) was a woman of wisdom, nobility, and immense wealth. Many men of Quraysh conducted trade using her capital and property. She was known as “the Great Queen” (al-Malikah al-ʿAẓīmah) and was regarded as one of the wealthiest and most distinguished figures of her time. In Makkah, where commerce was the livelihood of much of the population, no one was said to possess greater wealth than she did.

وَ كَانَتْ خَدِيجَةُ مَلِكَةً عَظِيمَةً وَ كَانَ لَهَا مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَ الْمَوَاشِي شَيْءٌ لَا يُحْصَى“Khadijah was a great queen, and she possessed wealth and livestock beyond counting.”

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

It has been reported that she owned servants and livestock in various regions, including tens of thousands of camels, and maintained commercial enterprises in places such as Egypt and Abyssinia.

Her residence was also described as exceptionally spacious—so large, according to some reports, that it could accommodate the people of Makkah. A dome of blue silk was said to have stood upon its roof, decorated with images of the sun, moon, and stars.

Abu Talib (p), the uncle of the Holy Prophet (p), also spoke to him about Lady Khadijah’s trade. He explained that she was one of their relatives and that each year a number of men from Quraysh traded on her behalf in return for payment.

Al-Kharāʾij wa al-Jarāʾiḥ, vol. 1

2. The Beginning of Their Acquaintance: The Trading Journey to Syria

When Lady Khadijah (p) heard of the Holy Prophet’s (p) truthfulness, extraordinary trustworthiness, noble character, and generosity, she sent someone to him with an offer: that he travel to Syria on a trading mission using her capital.

She provided him with better terms and resources than she had offered to any merchant before him. She also sent her trusted servant, Maysarah, to accompany him.

Kashf al-Ghummah fī Maʿrifat al-Aʾimmah, vol. 1; Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

According to the narrations, remarkable signs accompanied the Prophet (p) during this journey.

Lady Khadijah (p), looking from the upper level of her home, is reported to have seen a cloud moving above him, shading him as he walked. She also saw two angels accompanying him from his right and left.

فَنَظَرَتْ خَدِيجَةُ إِلَى غَمَامَةٍ عَالِيَةٍ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ تَسِيرُ بِسَيْرِهِ ...“Khadijah saw a lofty cloud above his head moving as he moved, while the two angels accompanied him through the air.”

When the Prophet (p) returned from the journey with a considerable profit, Lady Khadijah (p) asked Maysarah about everything he had witnessed.

Maysarah told her about the meeting with a monk, the glad tidings he had given concerning Muhammad (p), and the cloud that had shaded him during the journey.

After hearing these accounts, Lady Khadijah (p) freed Maysarah and his children and gifted him ten thousand dirhams.

3. Lady Khadijah Expresses Her Interest and Proposes Marriage

After learning of the extraordinary events surrounding the journey to Syria, Lady Khadijah (p) personally expressed her desire to marry the Holy Prophet (p).

She said:

يَا ابْنَ عَمِّ إِنِّي قَدْ رَغِبْتُ فِيكَ لِقَرَابَتِكَ وَ سَطَتِكَ فِي قَوْمِكَ وَ أَمَانَتِكَ وَ حُسْنِ خُلُقِكَ وَ صِدْقِ حَدِيثِكَ“

O son of my uncle, I have become inclined toward you because of our kinship, your noble standing among your people, your trustworthiness, your excellent character, and your truthfulness.”

Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 1; Kashf al-Ghummah, vol. 1; Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

Lady Khadijah (p) asked the Prophet (p) to speak with his uncle Abu Talib (p) and request that he formally seek her hand in marriage.

She also sent a messenger to her own family, instructing them to accept the proposal if Muhammad (p) and his family came forward.

A more detailed narration states that Lady Khadijah (p) reassured the Prophet (p) that he should not be concerned about the amount of the dowry. She would provide it from her own wealth and had also prepared many gifts.

The narration then says:

فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ مِنْ عِنْدِهَا وَ دَخَلَ عَلَى عَمِّهِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ السُّرُورُ فِي وَجْهِهِ“

The Prophet left her and went to his uncle Abu Talib, with joy clearly visible upon his face.”

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

Lady Khadijah’s (p) heart had become deeply attached to the Holy Prophet (p), and despite having many distinguished suitors, she had no desire to marry any of them.

وَ خَدِيجَةُ لَا تَرْغَبُ فِي وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ ... قَدِ اشْتَغَلَ قَلْبُ خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتِ خُوَيْلِدٍ بِحُبِّهِ“

Khadijah had no desire for any one of them. The heart of Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid had become occupied with love for him.”

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

It is also reported that after her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal described some of the qualities of the Prophet (p) to her, Lady Khadijah (p) expressed her longing in poetry:

كَمْ أَسْتُرُ الْوَجْدَ وَ الْأَجْفَانُ تَهْتِكُهُوَ أُطْلِقُ الشَّوْقَ وَ الْأَعْضَاءُ تُمْسِكُهُ“

How long can I conceal what fills my heart when my eyes reveal it?How can I release my longing while every part of me holds it within?”

She continued by expressing that her heart no longer belonged to herself, for another had taken possession of it.

In another poem attributed to her after the matter of marriage had been raised, she expressed her longing:

يَا سَعْدُ إِنْ جُزْتَ بِوَادِي الْأَرَاكِبَلِّغْ قَلِيبًا ضَاعَ مِنِّي هُنَاكَ“

O Saʿd, if you pass through the Valley of Arāk, send my message to a heart of mine that was lost there.”

She continued:

“My eyes long to see you, and my heart desires nothing except that which you desire.”

4. The Formal Proposal and Marriage Sermon

Abu Talib (p), accompanied by members of his family and several elders of Quraysh, went to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, one of Lady Khadijah’s relatives.

After praising God and recalling the distinguished position of the descendants of Ibrahim (p) and Ismaʿil (p), Abu Talib (p) began his address:

الْحَمْدُ لِرَبِّ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي جَعَلَنَا مِنْ زَرْعِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ ذُرِّيَّةِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ...“

Praise belongs to the Lord of this House, Who made us from the descendants of Ibrahim and the progeny of Ismaʿil, placed us within His secure sanctuary, and granted us a position among the people…”

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

Abu Talib (p) then spoke of the virtues of his nephew, declaring that whenever Muhammad (p) was compared with another man of Quraysh, he surpassed him in excellence.

He explained that Muhammad (p) desired marriage with Khadijah (p), and that Khadijah likewise desired marriage with him.

هُوَ رَاغِبٌ فِي خَدِيجَةَ وَ خَدِيجَةُ رَاغِبَةٌ فِيهِ ...“

He desires Khadijah, and Khadijah desires him.”

He further stated that whatever was requested as the marriage dowry would be provided.

Waraqah ibn Nawfal acknowledged the virtues of the family of Abu Talib (p) and formally declared:

يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ اشْهَدُوا عَلَيَّ أَنِّي قَدْ أَنْكَحْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ خُوَيْلِدٍ ...“

O people of Quraysh, bear witness that I have given Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid in marriage to Muhammad son of Abdullah…”

According to this narration, the dowry was set at four hundred dinars.

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

Another of Lady Khadijah’s uncles, ʿAmr ibn Asad, also testified to the marriage, and Abu Talib (p) slaughtered a camel that day for the wedding feast.

Another Narration: Lady Khadijah Recites the Marriage Formula Herself

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (p) narrates another account in which, when Lady Khadijah’s uncle was unable to respond to Abu Talib’s words, Lady Khadijah (p) herself spoke and declared the marriage.

She said:

قَدْ زَوَّجْتُكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ نَفْسِي وَ الْمَهْرُ عَلَيَّ فِي مَالِي ...“

O Muhammad, I have given myself to you in marriage, and the dowry shall be from my own wealth. Tell your uncle to slaughter a camel for the wedding feast, and enter upon your family.”

Al-Kāfī, vol. 5; Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

According to the report, one of those present expressed surprise and asked how a woman could undertake the payment of a man’s dowry.

Abu Talib (p) rose with authority and replied that if all men possessed virtues like those of his nephew, women would seek them even with the most precious of dowries.

Abu Talib (p) also described Lady Khadijah (p) before the gathering as a woman renowned for generosity, chastity, and distinction among her people:

إِنَّ ابْنَ أَخِينَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ خَاطِبُ كَرِيمَتِكُمُ الْمَوْصُوفَةِ بِالسَّخَاءِ وَ الْعِفَّةِ ...“

Indeed, our nephew Muhammad son of Abdullah seeks the hand of your noble lady, who is known for generosity and chastity, and whose lofty virtues are well known.”

5. Their Ages and the Distinctive Nature of This Marriage

The Holy Prophet (p) was twenty-five years old at the time of this blessed marriage.

The marriage took place in the twenty-fifth year of the Year of the Elephant, approximately fifteen years before the beginning of the Prophet’s mission and twenty-eight years before the Hijrah.

According to Shaykh al-Mufid, it occurred on the 10th of Rabiʿ al-Awwal.

Iʿlām al-Warā bi-Aʿlām al-Hudā, vol. 1; Masār al-Shīʿah

Lady Khadijah (p), according to the position presented in these sources, was twenty-eight years old at the time of the marriage.

A number of narrations and historical sources cited in the original text also maintain that she had not previously been married.

إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ تَزَوَّجَ بِهَا وَ كَانَتْ عَذْرَاءَ“

The Prophet married her while she was a virgin.”

Bihār al-Anwār, vols. 16 and 22

According to these accounts, Ruqayyah and Zaynab—whom some reports have regarded as daughters of Lady Khadijah (p) from an earlier marriage—were instead daughters connected to Halah, the sister of Lady Khadijah (p), and were not Lady Khadijah’s biological daughters.

Tanqīḥ al-Maqāl, vol. 3; Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 1

The sources cited in this account emphasize that Lady Khadijah (p) had not married anyone before the Holy Prophet (p). Wealthy and influential men of Quraysh had repeatedly sought her hand, but she rejected them.

When she eventually chose Muhammad (p)—who did not possess great material wealth at the time—some of those former suitors reacted with resentment.

Jannat al-ʿĀṣimah

6. The Marriage Ceremony and Wedding Feast

According to the narrations cited in the source, a heavenly proclamation was heard at the time of this blessed marriage:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ زَوَّجَ الطَّاهِرَ بِالطَّاهِرَةِ“

Indeed, God has joined the Pure One in marriage with the Pure Lady.”

It is further narrated that God commanded Jibraʾil (Gabriel) to spread the fragrance of Paradise, so that people began asking where the beautiful scent had come from. They were told:

“This is from the fragrance of Muhammad.”

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

After the marriage contract, Lady Khadijah (p) sent four thousand dinars together with a valuable garment as part of the wedding arrangements. Abu Talib and Abbas are reported to have delivered them.

When news regarding these gifts and expenses spread among the people, objections were raised concerning the source of the dowry and gifts. Abu Talib (p) publicly and firmly defended the honor of the marriage.

Al-Anwār fī Mawlid al-Nabī

On the wedding night, the Prophet’s uncles composed verses congratulating the couple.

When the virtues of the Prophet (p) were praised in poetry, Lady Khadijah (p) replied:

اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ شَأْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ عَظِيمٌ وَ فَضْلَهُ عَمِيمٌ“

Know that the rank of Muhammad is immense and his excellence is all-encompassing.”

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

A poet of Quraysh named Abdullah ibn Ghanm also congratulated Lady Khadijah (p) in verse, referring to the glad tidings given by earlier prophets regarding the coming of the Holy Prophet (p):

هَنِيئًا مَرِيئًا يَا خَدِيجَةُ قَدْ جَرَىلَكِ الطَّيْرُ فِي مَا كَانَ مِنْكِ بِأَسْعَدِ“

Blessed and joyful may it be for you, O Khadijah; the bird of good fortune has flown toward honor for you.”

The poem continues by declaring that the finest of creation had become her husband and that Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary) and Musa ibn Imran (Moses) had foretold his coming.

Al-Kāfī, vol. 5; Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 1; Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

7. The Reaction of Quraysh: Jealousy and Criticism

After the marriage, some women of Quraysh, surprised by Lady Khadijah’s choice, distanced themselves from her out of jealousy.

Despite her wealth and the many prominent suitors who had sought her hand, she had chosen Muhammad (p), who at the time was not outwardly known for material wealth.

When news of their criticism reached Lady Khadijah (p), she arranged a gathering and confronted them directly.

She said:

يَا مَعْشَرَ النِّسَاءِ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ بُعُولَتَكُنَّ عَابُوا عَلَيَّ فِيمَا فَعَلْتُ مِنْ أَنِّي تَزَوَّجْتُ مُحَمَّدًا ... وَ أَنَا قَدْ أَخَذْتُهُ لِأَجْلِ مَا قَدْ رَأَيْتُ مِنْهُ“

O women, I have heard that your husbands have criticized me for marrying Muhammad. I chose him because of what I have seen and come to know of him.”

According to the narration, none of them was able to answer her, and they fell silent.

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

Others, unable to find any fault in the character of the Prophet (p), attempted to use his being an orphan as a point of criticism.

When Imam al-Sajjad (p) was asked why the Prophet (p) had been left without his father and mother, he replied:

لِئَلَّا يَجِبَ عَلَيْهِ حَقٌّ لِمَخْلُوقٍ“

So that no created being would possess a right over him.”

ʿUyūn Akhbār al-Riḍā, vol. 2; Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

8. Their Married Life: Sacrifice, Generosity, and Care for Others

Despite possessing extraordinary wealth, Lady Khadijah (p), after marrying the Holy Prophet (p), placed her wealth at his disposal for the advancement of Islam.

She endured the hostility and reproach of her people in doing so, attaining a unique rank granted to her by God.

Jannat al-ʿĀṣimah

Lady Khadijah (p) also had a sister named Halah. According to the account cited in the source, Ruqayyah and Zaynab came under Lady Khadijah’s care.

Lady Khadijah (p) was known for caring for widows and orphans and took these children into her household. Following her marriage to the Prophet (p), they grew up within the home of Lady Khadijah (p) and the Prophet (p).

According to the social custom of the Arabs at the time, children under someone’s guardianship could be attributed to their guardian. The text therefore presents this as the reason Ruqayyah and Zaynab came to be associated with the Prophet (p) and Lady Khadijah (p), despite not being their biological daughters.

Al-Ṣaḥīḥ min Sīrat al-Nabī al-Aʿẓam, vol. 2

The source further reports that Ruqayyah later married ʿUtaybah ibn Abi Lahab and, following their separation, married Uthman ibn Affan.

She died in the second year after the Hijrah, around the time of the Battle of Badr, at approximately twenty-two years of age, and was buried in the cemetery of al-Baqiʿ.

A narration states that Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (p) wept beside her grave and that the Prophet (p) wiped away her tears with his garment.

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 22; Al-Ṣaḥīḥ min Sīrat al-Nabī al-Aʿẓam, vol. 1

9. Lady Khadijah’s Spiritual Rank in Light of This Blessed Marriage

Lady Khadijah (p) was distinguished among the women of her time for her beauty, virtue, excellence, generosity, and chastity.

She is also described in the sources as having knowledge of literature, poetry, and Arabic prosody.

Jannat al-ʿĀṣimah

This blessed marriage became the beginning of an extraordinary spiritual station.

In a narration addressed to Lady Khadijah (p), it is said:

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَيُبَاهِي بِكِ كِرَامَ مَلَائِكَتِهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ مِرَارًا“

Indeed, God, the Mighty and Majestic, takes pride in you before His honored angels several times every day.”

Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 16

Sources

• Bihār al-Anwār al-Jāmiʿah li-Durar Akhbār al-Aʾimmah al-Aṭhār, Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi, vols. 16, 19, 22, 43–44

• Al-Kāfī, Shaykh al-Kulayni, vol. 5

• Kashf al-Ghummah fī Maʿrifat al-Aʾimmah, Ali ibn Isa al-Irbili, vol. 1

• Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, Ibn Shahr Ashub, vol. 1

• Iʿlām al-Warā bi-Aʿlām al-Hudā, al-Tabrisi, vol. 1

• Masār al-Shīʿah, Shaykh al-Mufid

• Al-Kharāʾij wa al-Jarāʾiḥ, Qutb al-Din al-Rawandi, vol. 1

• Jannat al-ʿĀṣimah, Allamah Mirjahani

• Tanqīḥ al-Maqāl, Allamah al-Mamaqani, vol. 3

• Al-Ṣaḥīḥ min Sīrat al-Nabī al-Aʿẓam, Sayyid Jaʿfar Murtada al-Amili, vols. 1–2

• ʿUyūn Akhbār al-Riḍā (p), Shaykh al-Saduq, vol. 2

• Al-Anwār fī Mawlid al-Nabī (p)

• Maʿārif wa Maʿārīf, vol. 2