Hazrat Khadija had known our Holy Prophet (PBUH) since he was a child. Having him deliver her goods to Mecca had been a means of getting to know him better. Hazrat Khadija possessed the highest degree of nobility, wealth, and repute among the Qurayshi women. At the same time, Allah had granted her beauty that few women have been bestowed with. Until that time, many men from her tribe had proposed marriage to her, yet she did not accept any proposals. 1 In fact, it was as if she was not thinking about marriage. However, fate brought someone who was completely different before her. The beauty in his soul was reflected on his face, the love in his heart had been transformed into his smile, and the deep thoughts in his mind had been manifested as an exceptional person who possessed both seriousness and sincerity.

Hazrat Khadija, who had rejected the marriage proposals of all of the renowned figures in Mecca and had not been interested in getting married, changed her mind as soon as she became further acquainted with this incomparable person. Divine fate had predestined these two people to feel love for one another.

A proposal from Khadija

A marriage proposal came from Khadija herself. Khadija was referred to by the nickname, “Tahira” which meant “pure one” because she would safeguard her chastity and honor; a quality that, even during the age of ignorance, was held in high-regard. Khadija’s best friend, Nafisa delivered the proposal to our Holy Prophet (PBUH). The following conversation took place between the two:

“Oh Muhammad, what is preventing you from getting married?”

“I do not have enough money to get married.”

“If that was taken care of, then would you accept an invitation to wealth, beauty, repute, and partnership?”

“Who is she?”

“Khuwaylid’s daughter, Khadija”

“But how can it be?”

"Everything will be taken care of.”

“In that case, I accept”.2

Nafisa conveyed the message to Hazrat Khadija in a state of happiness. Khadija’s immeasurable gladness could be seen in the smiles on her face. After having a delightful and pleasurable encounter with Nafisa, Khadija sent this message to our Holy Prophet (PBUH), “Oh my uncle’s son, I desire to marry you because you are my relative 3 and a dignified, trustworthy, well-mannered, and honest person from this tribe.” 4

Our Holy Prophet (PBUH), who received this marriage proposal, informed his uncle of this matter. Abu Talib confirmed this proposal by directly asking Hazrat Khadija; he learned straight from her that she wanted this marriage.

The Marriage Ceremony

The date of the marriage ceremony was determined by Hazrat Khadija and the ceremony was to take place in her home. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH), his uncles, his aunts, and some of the leading figures from the sons of Hashim came to Hazrat Khadija’s home on the set date. Hazrat Khadija provided everything that would ensure a beautiful wedding ceremony. The sheep were slaughtered and the food was prepared. After the food was eaten, it was time for the oldest ones on both sides to speak, which was in accordance with their custom. Hazrat Khadija’s father had passed away in the Battle of Fijar. For this reason, her uncle, Amr bin Asad, was her representative for the ceremony. According to the tradition, Abu Talib would be the first to speak. Therefore, he stood up and said, “Thanks be to Allah for he has created us from Ibrahim’s progeny, Ismail’s bloodline, Maad’s minerals, and Mudar’s descent. After this, I get straight to the point and say, “As you know, my brother’s son, Muhammad bin Abdullah, is your relative.

No youth from the Quraysh can be compared to him. He is superior to them in terms of repute, intelligence, honor, and virtue. Yes, he has very little property, but what does that mean? It is a transient shadow and curtain, something temporary that is given and then taken away. I swear by Allah that his rank is going to increase and grow even more from now on. He now asks for your daughter Khadija’s hand in marriage and pledges to give 20 male camels for her dowry. When Abu Talib finished speaking, the son of Hazrat Khadija’s uncle, Waraqa bin Nawfal, rose to speak. He said: “Thanks be to Allah for He has created us like you have described. He has granted us a far greater degree of superiority than you have mentioned. We also want to be honored and establish kinship with you. Oh, the community of Quraysh! Bear witness that I marry Khuwaylid’s daughter, Khadija, to Muhammad bin Abdullah, the son of Abdullah, for the price of this dowry”. When Waraqa bin Nawfal had finished speaking, Abu Talib wanted Hazrat Khadija’s paternal uncle, Amr bin Asad, to express his consent. Amr also rose to his feet and said, “Oh the community of Quraysh, bear witness that I have joined Muhammad bin Abdullah and Khuwaylid’s daughter, Khadija in marriage.”

Thus, the Master of the Universe (PBUH) was married to Khuwaylid’s daughter, Hazrat Khadija aI-Kubra, who had the most reputable ancestry as well as the most honor and wealth among the Qurayshi women. In the meantime, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was 25 years old whereas Hazrat Khadija was 40. Their marriage took place in 595 AD; 15 years before his Prophethood. Then, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) brought his esteemed wife with him to Abu Talib’s home. Here they slaughtered two camels and threw a banquet for the community. Out of regard for this happy occasion, Abu Talib slaughtered his camels and fed the community and then afterwards, invited our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his family to his home. When he went out to greet them, he thanked Allah in the midst of his tears by saying, “Praise to be Allah for He has dispelled all of our sadness away from us.” Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Hazrat Khadija, who had attained the glory of being his first wife, stayed in Abu Talib’s home for only a few days. Afterwards, they returned to Hazrat Khadija’s home where they would spend their felicitous lives together.

1. Sirah, 1/201; Tabaqat, 1/131
2. Tabaqat, 1/131
3. The fathers of both Hazrat Khadija and our Holy Prophet (PBUH) had descended from Qusay. Similarly, their genealogies shared Luay, who was one of our Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s forefathers from his father’s side of the family and an ancestor from the side of Hazrat Khadija’s mother.
4. Sirah, 1/200-201; Tabari, 2/197