I did not feel jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) as much as I did of Khadija though I did not see her, but the Prophet (ﷺ) used to mention her very often, and when ever he slaughtered a sheep, he would cut its parts and send them to the women friends of Khadija. When I sometimes said to him, "(You treat Khadija in such a way) as if there is no woman on earth except Khadija," he would say, "Khadija was such-and-such, and from her I had children."
Merits of the Helpers in Madinah (Ansaar)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 3818
Hadith Text
"I did not feel jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) as much as I did of Khadija though I did not see her, but the Prophet (ﷺ) used to mention her very often, and when ever he slaughtered a sheep, he would cut its parts and send them to the women friends of Khadija. When I sometimes said to him, '(You treat Khadija in such a way) as if there is no woman on earth except Khadija,' he would say, 'Khadija was such-and-such, and from her I had children.'"
Commentary on the Virtues of Khadija
This narration from 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) demonstrates the unparalleled status of Khadija bint Khuwaylid in the heart of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Though she had passed away years before 'A'isha married the Prophet, her memory remained vibrant through his constant remembrance and noble treatment of her companions.
The Prophet's continued sending of gifts to Khadija's friends indicates the preservation of ties with those she loved - a noble character trait that reflects the Islamic principle of maintaining righteous relationships even after death. His response to 'A'isha's remark reveals that Khadija possessed unique virtues that distinguished her from all other women.
Scholarly Insights
Imam al-Qurtubi comments that this hadith illustrates how Khadija's merits were not merely historical but actively present in the Prophet's daily life. Her status was such that even years after her passing, the Prophet maintained the bonds she had established.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that the Prophet's statement "from her I had children" refers to the fact that all his surviving children except Ibrahim were from Khadija, making her the mother of his progeny - a distinction no other wife shared.
Scholars note that the Prophet's enduring love for Khadija teaches Muslims the virtue of faithfulness to righteous spouses and the importance of honoring the memory of those who supported Islam in its most difficult early days.