Ummul-Mo’mineen Hazrat Sayyedah Khadijah (ra), the first wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, belonged to the noble family of Quraish. Her father’s name was Khuwailid and her mother’s name was Faatimah. Khadijah (ra) was born in 555 AD. Thus she was fifteen years older than the Holy Prophet (sas). Her father was a well-known chief of Makkah. He was a successful merchant who traded in oils, linen, perfumes and other rare merchandise. He lived in a two-storey house beside a hillock not far from the Ka‘bah.
From her childhood Hazrat Khadijah (ra) possessed noble qualities. She grew up into a pious, quiet and intelligent young woman. Due to her moral virtues the people of Makkah had conferred on her the title Taahirah, which means the ‘Pure’, or the ‘Virtuous’. She had a tender and compassionate heart. She was generous with her money and used to help the poor, the needy, the orphans and the widows. It is related that on one occasion Haleemah (ra) of Banu Sa‘d tribe, the woman who nursed Muhammad (sas) in his childhood, came to see him after his marriage to Khadijah (ra).
Muhammad (sas) had spent five years with Banu Sa‘d tribe and retained a grateful impression of the kindness, he had experienced as a child among that tribe. He therefore showed great regard for Haleemah (ra) when she came. He had often spoken fondly of her to Khadijah (ra). Khadijah (ra) was also delighted to see her. It was a year of drought and the crops, trees and even the wild plants died for lack of water. The animals were reduced to skeletons and many died because of hunger. There was shortage of food in the country and the people were worried. Haleemah (ra) stayed with the family of the Holy Prophet (sas) for some time. When she decided to go back to her people, Khadijah (ra) gave her a she-camel and forty sheep. Haleemah (ra) and her family were ever so grateful for that generosity.