The great spiritual and religious leader of the world used to say that holy lady Khadija and her daughter Fatimah (peace be upon them) are the role-model for women throughout history and for all.
According to Imam Khomeini, in the history of Islam, for very group or stratum of society, there is a suitable role-model who is guiding light for salvation and on the path to perfection.
Lady Khadija home environment was an example of harmony, peace, tranquility, and modesty. She helped her husband in his worldly and religious affairs, and cooperated with him in achieving his exalted mission.
Imam Khomeini believed that the holy lady Khadija and her daughter Fatimah (peace be upon them) had earned dignity and grace for all women and mankind thought the history.
Imam Khomeini always insisted that the Islamic and world societies could prevent from moral and social decline and collapse by following the character of the teachings of the divine ladies such as Hadrat Khadija and her daughter Fatimah and their pure progeny.
Lady Khadija (PBUH) was the first wife of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household). She was born in Makka. Her father's name was Khuwaylid bin Asad and he was a wealthy trader.
When the Prophet used to go to meditate in the cave of Hira on Jabel-e-Noor, it was Lady Khadija (SA) herself who would climb up there to give him his food and necesseries. She was the first person to accept Islam as taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his household).
In 616 AD, the Quraish isolated the Bani Hashim (the family of the Prophet) and they took refuge in a ravine called Shib-e-Abu Talib. Lady Khadija (PBUH) was there too and it was her wealth (which she donated for Islam) that sustained the Muslims at that time. The siege lasted for 3 years during which time they experienced hunger, thirst, and the cold and heat of the desert.
Lady Khadija (PBUH) was married to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) for 25 years. Shed died in 619 AD on the 10th of Ramadan 3 years before the Hijrah. When she died nothing was left of her wealth - all of it was served for the propagation of Islam.
She was buried in Makkah in a cloak of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household). Hazrat Abu Talib(PBUH) passed away in this year too. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) called the year Aam-ul- Huzn (the year of grief).
While Lady Khadija (PBUH) lived, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) did not marry another woman and in later years he always said that she was the best of his wives.
It is noteworthy that Imam Khomeini asserted a greater role for women in the society and he was a great champion of women rights in contemporary era. Iranian women has had been playing great role in victory and progress of the Islamic Revolution which emerged victorious under the wise leadership of Imam Khomeini in 1979.