Khadija bint Khuwaylid, known as Umm al-Mu’minun, was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the first woman who converted to Islam. She was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn As’ad ibn Abd al-Uzza ibn Qusay and Fatima bint Za’ida.
She was called al-Tahira (the pure woman) in Jahiliyya era. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) titled her as al-Kubra (the great). She married Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 15 years before Bi’tha (595-6 CE). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not choose another wife during his marital life with Khadija.
Except for Ibrahim, other children of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were from Khadija al-Kubra; who were two boys (al-Qasim and ‘Abd Allah) and four daughters (Zaynab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum, and Lady Fatima (AS)). Al-Tayyib and al-Tahir are only the titles of Abd Allah, not the names of other children of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Khadija dedicated her wealth for expansion of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always praised Khadija.
She passed away three years before Hijra (migration to Medina) [619 CE], in Mecca. She is buried in al-Ma’lat Cemetery (also known as Jannat al-Mu’alla) in Mount al-Hajun.
Converting to Islam
Most of historical sources consider Khadija (AS) as the first one who converted to Islam. Even some sources claimed, it is agreed among all the researchers. Ibn Abd al-Barr claimed that Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) was the first one after Khadija (AS) who converted to Islam. Sources which discussed the timing of sahaba in converting to Islam, have mentioned Khadija al-Kubra (AS) and Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) as the first two people who converted to Islam. They have mentioned they were the first two people who performed prayer alongside Prophet Muhammad (AS).
Source: wikishia.net
