Khadijah’s (RA) Last Moments

After 25 years of marriage, a rare monogamous relationship in Makkah at that time, Khadijah's (RA) health began to fail.

She was dying from the effects of malnutrition during the boycott she had voluntarily joined out of love for her husband and commitment to the truth.

The woman who had once been the wealthiest merchant in Makkah now departed this world with her riches spent, her prestige vanished, and her body frail.

During these final days, something extraordinary happened.

Jibreel (AS) came to the Prophet ﷺ with a message that shows us Khadija (RA )'s incredible status.

"O Messenger of Allah, this is Khadijah coming to you. She's carrying a dish with some food or drink. When she comes to you, tell her that Allah sends His salaam to her and give Khadijah my salaam too. And give her the glad tidings of a pearl palace in Jannah where there will be no noise or fatigue."

Just think about this moment: She was one of the only people ever to receive salaam directly from Allah.

Not just any greeting, but a personal message of peace from the Creator of the universe to His faithful servant.

Imam Suhairi explains that the palace of pearls was promised because Khadijah (RA) had given away all of her pearls and jewelry for the sake of Islam.

And the promise of "no noise or fatigue" was because she was always a source of peace, comfort, and tranquility for the Prophet ﷺ.

Some scholars also mention that this was a special mercy because of the constant taunting and harassment she endured in Makkah, where she couldn't leave her house without people yelling, cursing, and throwing things at her.

When Khadijah (RA) walked in carrying her tray, the Prophet ﷺ told her, " Jibreel is here. Allah sends His salaam to you, and Jibreel sends his salaam to you, and gives you glad tidings of a home of pearls in Jannah. There is no noise or fatigue therein."

Her response reveals her spiritual wisdom.

She smiled and said, "Allah is the source of salaam, the source of peace. So I can't say Walaikum Assalam. And to Jibreel, my salaam. And upon you, O Messenger of Allah, the peace and the mercy of Allah."

This theological insight, understanding that Allah is the source of peace rather than its recipient, shows Khadijah's (RA) natural affinity with the unseen realm.

The Prophet ﷺ later explained that some people, like Khadijah (RA) and Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), are "muhadathoon"—they receive a type of divine insight because of their natural inclination toward goodness.

This moment also captures the essence of who Khadijah (RA) was, even when receiving direct greetings from Allah and the greatest of angels, she didn't forget to send her salaam to the Prophet ﷺ.

In every moment, her selfless heart still turned toward him.

Her theological depth shows her understanding, but her remembering the Prophet ﷺ in that moment shows her unmatched love.

This was Jibreel (AS), the same angel who had twice sent the Prophet ﷺ into Khadijah's arms for comfort during the early days of revelation, now essentially signaling that her time in this world was coming to an end.

Our beloved mother Khadijah (RA) passed away in the year 620 at around sixty-five years of age, and many narrations tell us she departed this world just three days after the death of Abu Talib.

Imagine the depth of this hardship for the Prophet ﷺ, first losing his father figure, the only one who had protected him from the physical harm of the Quraysh, and then losing his emotional support, his mental anchor, his beloved wife of 25 years, all within the span of a few days.

The loss of these two pillars of support, Abu Talib and Khadijah (RA), within such a short time was so profound that even with everything our Prophet ﷺ would go through, this period would forever be known as the Year of Sorrow.

Next week, we’ll delve into the Prophet ﷺ’s profound grief, Khadijah’s (RA) unique burial, and stories of the Prophet ﷺ’s everlasting love for her.