Heroes of every variety

The brilliance of this speaks for itself.

Prophet Muhammad & Khadija bint Khuwaylid: The Greatest Of All Love Stories

Khadija bint Khuwaylid was one of the noblest women around, coming from a very prominent family. She was also an accomplished businesswoman, running her own band of merchants. One of her employees, an illiterate oprhan named Muhammad ibn Abdullah, ran a merchant caravan from Sham in the north (present-day Syria) to Mecca in the South. Muhammad was known for having an impeccable moral character, and was widely known as one of the most honest men around. Khadija was attracted to this. They married. He was 25 and she was 40. They were married for 25 years, and she bore him seven children : 3 sons and 4 daughters, ho0wever, none of their sons survived infancy.

One day, while Muhammad was meditating in the cave of Hira, the Angel Jibreel came to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the first verses of the Quran and declared to him that he was to be a Prophet. Jibreel commanded him to "READ", and this frightened Muhammad. The experience terrified the Prophet Muhammad, and he ran home, jumping into Khadijah’s arms crying, “Cover me! Cover me!” She was startled by his terror, and after soothing and comforting him for a while, the Prophet was able to calm down and relate to her his experience.

The Prophet feared he was losing his mind or being possessed. Khadijah put all his fears to rest: “Do not worry,” she said, “for by Him who has dominion over Khadijah’s soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress.”
She then took him to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal – a scholar well-versed in the Judeo-Christian scripture – and he confirmed to the Prophet that his experience was Divine and he was to be the Last Prophet.

Khadija was fiercely supportive and stood by the side of the Prophet until her death.
In my opinion, this is one of the greatest love stories I have ever heard.