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KHADIJAH BINT KHUWAYLID
The longest stretch of Khadijah's life was passed in pre-Islamic
society; she was influenced by the new religion for only a short time
as a mature woman* By comparing her life-style before and afterjthe
revelations of the Prophet, we shall find that she was an exceptional
woman who anticipated the more active role which the Prophet was to
encourage in women before he began to articulate it.
She had the advantage of being born into a good family, her
father being Khuwaylid bin'Asd bin 'Abd al±Uza bin Qusayy bin Kil; 'b
bin Murrah bin Lulayy bin GQib bin Mr. and her mother Fatimah,
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the daughter of ý Z91 idabin %; isim
bin Rauahah. She was highly
esteemed, as Aý-u Zahrah records; 'Khadijah was strong, honoured and
prudent with all the goodness and honour that God endowed her.
She was one of the most honoured and rich persons in Quraysh. Many
of her people wished to marry her, and granted her money. 2 She
was therefore in a strong position to undertake an activity which
few pre-Islamic, women engaged in : trade. "She was a rich woman
of Quraysh, a business woman. engaged in the caravan trade, and
managed her own affairs.,,
3 Further, "the caravan she owned to
carry the cargo equalled that of Quraysh in size, quality and
shipment. " 4
ý Since it was impracticable for her to carry out all the travelling
and trading in person, she employed one of two systems : she either
1. See Ibn Histram, Vol. 1, op. cit.. P. 174 _
2. See Abýu Zahrah Muhammad, KIratim al-Nabiyyin, Vol. 1. P. 417
0. * Glubbg John. The Life and Times of Muhammad, P. 72
4. AT Zahrah, op, cit*, P. 418
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