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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Religious Figure

Khadija bint Khuwaylid

Khadija bint Khuwaylid (c.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Khadija bint Khuwaylid (c. 554–619) was a Meccan merchant and the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad. In Islamic tradition, she is honored as the first person to accept his prophetic message.

Who was Khadija?

Born into the aristocratic Quraysh tribe in Mecca, Khadija was a wealthy and respected merchant in her own right. She employed Muhammad to manage a trade caravan to Syria before marrying him, becoming his first wife. Their marriage predated his prophetic mission.

Why she matters

Islamic tradition credits Khadija as the first person to believe in Muhammad's revelations, making her the first convert to Islam. She provided crucial financial and emotional support during the earliest, most vulnerable period of the faith, and remains a revered figure for her faith and business acumen.

Key details about her life

Khadija and Muhammad had six children: two sons (Qasim and Abd Allah) and four daughters (Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatima). She died in Mecca in November 619. Her legacy as a prominent businesswoman and early supporter of Islam is studied in Canadian classrooms and communities.

In short

  • First wife of Muhammad and first convert to Islam
  • Wealthy Meccan merchant and businesswoman
  • Mother of six children, including Fatima
  • Died in 619 in Mecca
Canadian angle

Khadija is studied in Canadian classrooms and communities as a major figure in Islamic history, particularly for her role as an early supporter of Islam and as a prominent woman in pre-Islamic Arabian commerce.

Quick questions

Who was Khadija?
Khadija bint Khuwaylid was a Meccan merchant and the first wife of Muhammad. In Islamic tradition, she is also recognized as the first person to accept Islam.
How many children did Khadija have?
She had six children with Muhammad: two sons and four daughters.
What is Khadija known for?
She is known for being Muhammad's first wife, a wealthy merchant, and the first person in Islamic tradition to believe in his prophetic message.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khadija_bint_Khuwaylid
    Supports: Birth/death date, first wife of Muhammad, merchant status, children, and first convert tradition.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Khadijah
    Supports: Death in 619, merchant status, first wife of Muhammad, and role supporting early Islam.
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khadija_bint_Khuwaylid
    Supports: Identifies Khadija as an Arab businesswoman and Muhammad's first wife, and notes her status in Islam.
  4. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/khadija
    Supports: Merchant background, support for Muhammad, first convert tradition, and general legacy.