Exploring the birth period of Islam, this biography focuses on one of the most prominent and respected Muslim women in history, Khadija, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Addressing both her devotion and her leadership roles in Mecca, this book shines light on a figure who is an inspiration to women, both Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

One day, the Prophet Muhammad was describing Khadija’s virtue, and he pointed to the heaven and earth with his finger and stated, “Mary, mother of Jesus, is the best of the women of the heavens, and the worthiest woman still living on this earth is Khadija, daughter of Khuwaylid.” Khadija’s life is a source of great inspiration to believers, especially women. She is an excellent example of how one can give to the cause of Islam one’s time, energy, wealth and life. Her story is a reminder to believers to live purposeful lives and, in our prayers, we should remember Khadija and the whole family of the Prophet for their sacrifice and dedication. It was precisely their sacrifice, dedication and hard work that made it possible for Islam to reach all the four corners of the world and allowed the Quran to be preserved in its original form. May Allah be pleased with them all. Once when the Prophet Muhammad was in the Cave of Hira with the angel Jibril, or Gabriel, Jibril saw from afar that Khadija was coming towards the Cave. He said to the Prophet: “Khadija is coming here. She has brought some food and water for you.” And then he added: “When she comes in, give her the greetings from her Lord and tell her that there will be a house made of pearls for her in Paradise where there will be neither hardship nor any clamour.” When Khadija arrived, the Prophet said to her: “Here is Jibril. He is giving greetings to you from your Lord and he himself is greeting you.” Khadija replied: “God is peace and He is the source of all peace! May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you, O Messenger of Allah. And my greeting to Jibril!”

The first Graywolf Press African Fiction Prize winner, a story of a girl’s fantastical sea voyage to rescue her father The House of Rust is an enchanting novel about a Hadhrami girl in Mombasa. When her fisherman father goes missing, Aisha takes to the sea on a magical boat made of a skeleton to rescue him. She is guided by a talking scholar’s cat (and soon crows, goats, and other animals all have their say, too). On this journey Aisha meets three terrifying sea monsters. After she survives a final confrontation with Baba wa Papa, the father of all sharks, she rescues her own father, and hopes that life will return to normal. But at home, things only grow stranger. Khadija Abdalla Bajaber’s debut is a magical realist coming-of-age tale told through the lens of the Swahili and diasporic Hadhrami culture in Mombasa, Kenya. Richly descriptive and written with an imaginative hand and sharp eye for unusual detail, The House of Rust is a memorable novel by a thrilling new voice.

This book tells the story of the remarkable life of Khadija. The beloved first wife of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, she was his loyal supporter, trusted companion and source of comfort. Geared toward to young readers, it presents an extraordinary life with immense importance to Islam. One of the few girls of her time to be educated, Khadija grew in to an intelligent woman with perfect manners and exceptional beauty. She was well loved by all. A talented and successful business woman, through her own efforts Khadija became one of Mecca's wealthiest women, yet she lived a simple life and always helped the poor and needy. She was renowned for her compassion and charity. When the Messenger of Allah declared his Prophethood, Khadija became the first Muslim and devoted her life to Islam. She gave everything she owned to support the Muslims through the three difficult years of the boycott in Mecca. After her intense suffering, she finally succumbed to illness with the assurance of a place in Paradise. This Mother of Muslims is a source of inspiration to all Muslims, both men and women. Her steadfastness in the way of the religion, her unhesitating devotion to her noble Prophet, her charity, faith and compassion make her one of the most loved women of all time.

Het verhaal van Khadija Op een dag was de Profeet Mohammed, vrede zij met hem, in de Grot van Hira met de engel Jibril, of Gabriël. Jibril zag Khadija van ver aankomen in de richting van de Grot. Hij zei tegen de profeet: “Khadija komt er aan. Zij heeft wat te drinken en te eten voor je meegebracht.” En hij voegde er aan toe: “Als zij binnenkomt, doe haar dan de groeten van haar Heer en vertel dat zij in het Paradijs een huis van parelen tot haar beschikking heeft waar ze geen moeilijkheden meer zal ondervinden en geen last zal hebben van lawaai.” Toen Khadija aankwam, zei de profeet tegen haar: “Hier is Jibril. Hij doet jou de groeten van jouw Heer en hij groet jou zelf ook.” Khadija antwoordde: “Allah is vrede en Hij is de Bron van alle Vrede! Dat Allah’s vrede en zegeningen op jou mogen neerdalen, o Boodschapper van Allah. En groet Jibril ook van mij!”

Khadija: The First Lady of Islam is a scholarly biography of Mohammad

Islamic tradition praises Asiyah, Mary, Khadijah, and Fatimah as the four women who showed monumental examples of excellence in faith. While Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur'an, the other three are mentioned in the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Asiyah was the wife of Pharaoh and she was the one who protected Moses in the palace from the wrath of her furious husband. Mary is the epitome of purity and submission, who was miraculously blessed with Jesus, and she stood firm against all kinds of slanders and accusations. Khadijah was the first believer to the Prophet Muhammad. She spent all her fortune in her husband's cause, including her life. Fatimah, the Prophet's daughter, is the person through whom the Prophet's generation still continues. This book depicts the lives of these four remarkable women of the human history.