In an era when marriage is often defined by rigid gender roles, financial expectations, and misplaced ideas of authority, there is an urgent need to revisit one of the most profound examples of marital partnership in history—the marriage of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Khadija bint Khuwaylid. Their union was not one of dominance and submission, nor was it dictated by material wealth, but rather, it was a partnership built on love, trust, mutual support, and dignity.

A Marriage Rooted in Trust and Respect

Before he was a prophet, Muhammad (PBUH) was known as Al-Amin, the Trustworthy. His impeccable character and honesty became widely recognised, and it was this very reputation that led Khadija, a successful and respected businesswoman of Quraysh, to seek him out. She entrusted him with managing a caravan trade to Syria, and upon witnessing his integrity and exceptional handling of the business, she admired him not only as a merchant but as a man of principle.

Despite being older than Muhammad (PBUH), Khadija proposed marriage—a testament to her wisdom and confidence in his character. Their marriage was not one of convenience or social obligation, but a sincere bond of companionship. At a time when polygamy was the norm, Muhammad (PBUH) remained devoted to Khadija alone for the entirety of their 25-year marriage, demonstrating a level of loyalty and love that is rarely emphasized today.

A Household of Love and Shared Responsibility

Khadija was a woman of immense wealth, yet she did not view her earnings as a means of control, nor did Muhammad (PBUH) feel insecure about not being the primary financial provider. Instead of succumbing to societal pressures that dictated rigid gender roles, they cultivated a home where respect and shared responsibilities defined their relationship.

Muhammad (PBUH) supported Khadija not by being the primary breadwinner, but by being her confidant, advisor, and source of emotional and spiritual support. He took care of their home and children, ensuring that dignity and modesty were maintained in their daily lives. He was never too proud to engage in household work, and his humility set a precedent that many today overlook.

Raising a Family Together

Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadija were blessed with seven children: three sons (who passed away in infancy) and four daughters—Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatima. Together, they raised their daughters in an environment of compassion and wisdom. Muhammad (PBUH) was an affectionate father, challenging the cultural norms of his time that undervalued daughters. He did not subscribe to the patriarchal attitudes that plagued pre-Islamic Arabia, but instead, he uplifted and nurtured his daughters with love and guidance.

Emotional and Spiritual Support

Perhaps the most moving aspect of their marriage was how they supported each other through life’s trials. When Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation and was overwhelmed by its magnitude, it was Khadija who reassured him, covered him with a cloak, and reminded him of his righteousness. She believed in him when no one else did, standing by him when the Quraysh rejected him.

Her unwavering faith in him was not conditional on his financial status, nor was his love for her diminished by societal expectations. Their marriage was an equal partnership, bound by faith and mutual respect.

A Marriage Model for Today

The marriage of Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadija stands in stark contrast to the flawed perceptions of marriage today, where many equate a husband’s worth with his financial contributions and a wife’s worth with domestic duties. Their life together challenges these modern misconceptions and reminds us that marriage is about partnership, not transaction.

The Prophet (PBUH) and Khadija showed that a successful marriage does not require predefined roles where one must be the sole provider and the other the sole caretaker. Instead, they demonstrated that a couple must support each other in whatever way is necessary—financially, emotionally, spiritually, and practically.

If we are truly to revive a Sunnah, let it be this: a marriage of dignity, respect, and shared responsibility, where love is not bound by material conditions but thrives through mutual devotion.