“He it is Who created you from a single soul, and of the same did He make his mate, that he might find comfort in her. So when he covers her she bears a light burden, then moves about with it. Then when it grows heavy, they both call upon Allah, their Lord: If You give us a good one, we shall certainly be grateful.”
—Holy Qur’an, Surah 7, Verse 189
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, born November 26, 1935, is the Nation of Islam’s First Lady, Mother of the Faithful and life companion and help-meet of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, National Representative of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Eternal Leader of the Nation of Islam.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah Farrakhan were childhood sweethearts. The were married on September 12, 1953. From these childhood sweethearts came nine beautiful children. Minister Farrakhan has described Mother Khadijah as “the wind beneath my wings.”
When Minister Farrakhan decided to rebuild the work of the Nation of Islam in 1977, Mother Farrakhan was his first helper. Her many responsibilities included assisting with The Final Call newspaper (then published out of the basement of their home in Chicago).
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan has represented the Nation of Islam in official delegations as First Lady, with beauty, style, and humility, and has shared her design skills in the creation of Newell Apparel, which manufactures the official uniforms of the women of the Nation of Islam.
The matriarch of the Farrakhan family, which includes many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, shared with Final Call readers (in 2006) answers to questions posed by then-Final Call Managing Editor Dora Muhammad to mark that year’s Mother’s Day. The following are some of the insights Mother Khadijah shared on various topics:
On motherhood: Mother Khadijah Farrakhan has said her family started every morning with the Fajr prayer and ended their day with a family dinner to instill in their children a love for Allah.
On the essential attitude mothers have toward their children in order to be successful in raising them, especially if they did not plan them or do not have the father in their lives:
“First, we must understand that each child is an individual that has different wants and needs. We must know, as a mother, that you are a born nurturer of your family. And always keep the principles of Islam as your guide.”
On marriage and what helps sustain her commitment and love of her husband’s mission: “My love and continued love for Allah and His Messenger, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and my love and faith in Islam has helped to sustain me and my support for my husband.”
On wanting to adopt or become single moms regarding women who do not believe that they will ever find a suitable mate: “We never give up hope on marriage, for there is someone for everyone. However, if you choose to adopt, remember these words: You are a born nurturer with or without a father in your home. Happy adopting!!!”
On Islam and what the distinct title, “Mother of The Faithful,” means to her: “Being true to your God and being true to your religion.”
“Being faithful to Allah, your religion, to yourself and one another,” replied Mother Khadijah, when asked, “In what ways do you see women in Islam need to elevate the standards of our religion?”
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan has embodied such faith ever since enrolling in the Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. and G.C.C.) under the direction of Sister Captain Anna Lois Muhammad in New York City. The sisters in Mother Khadijah’s class included many important figures, such as Sister Betty Shabazz, the late wife of Malcolm X.
One of Mother Farrakhan’s special skills is sewing. She started as a child and has been sewing ever since. She is responsible for elevating the style of dress for Muslim women.
She designed the special uniforms worn by the M.G.T. Vanguard class. Her fashions have been featured in shows in America and Africa. Her designs have a wide appeal that are adored by women everywhere.
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan is unlike any other and wears the crown of the First Lady of the Nation of Islam.
The Final Call interviewed several women of the Nation of Islam who serve in leadership and they shared their reflections on the anniversary of her birth.
Sister Naeemah Muhammad, Student National M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain, and member of the N.O.I. Shura Executive Council:
“How truly blessed we are to witness this sacred and historic moment—to see our Beloved Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, First Lady of our Nation, Mother of the Faithful, and wife of the Messiah in our midst reach her 90th birth anniversary!
As Allah fashioned The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Man of God in our midst, we are grateful for Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, the helpmeet chosen by Allah and specifically fashioned to be by his side.
She was there with The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan every step of the way as he worked tirelessly to rebuild the work of his father The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
She has been the perfect example of the divine feminine expression of God working in and through a woman as she worked to help bring to birth and lovingly mother an entire Nation.
She has been a mighty wind beneath the wings of her husband that he could soar far above this world, defying the gravitational pull of the most vehement opposition ever faced by any man, to attain the pinnacle of success, taking our people and all humanity with him.
I am profoundly grateful to Allah for blessing the women of our Nation and women throughout the world with Mother Khadijah, such a radiant example of what it means to be a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and a faithful servant of Allah.
Sister A’ishah Muhammad, Student National Auditing Supervisor, a member of the Shura Executive Council and former National M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain:
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, there is not a moment nor a prayer that I pray that I don’t thank Almighty Allah for her faithfulness, for her belief in Him, His Exalted Christ and Mahdi, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Their Messiah!
Many of us do not realize that it is her faith in Allah that has helped to sustain our Nation as we stand on her shoulders, for which we can never, ever thank Allah enough! Many of us see her outer beauty, her grace and her comportment but it is only a reflection of the beautiful soul that she genuinely is.
Whenever one has had the blessing of her company one would see that she is extremely easy to talk with as she is compassionate, genuine and speaks to all of us as a mother should! I love that she speaks straight words and that she has a wonderful sense of humor.
She serves as a model and an example not just for those of us who are registered M.G.T., but as an example to women all over the world! I will forever cherish those lessons and counsel that she has given to me personally and for the manner with which she has handled me so beautifully in my 46 years in the Nation.
We thank Allah for her being the perfect soulmate and helpmeet to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan as her demonstration of love for her husband is so very touching and continues to inspire.
In my prayers, I ask that the name of Mother Khadijah Farrakhan be remembered by those who come after her and us, so all will know what a magnificent and phenomenal Star she has been!
Sister Aminah Bayyinah Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan’s administrative assistant and member of the N.O.I. Shura Executive Council:
On behalf of the M.G.T. and G.C.C., we offer our deepest love and heartfelt gratitude to Mother Khadijah Farrakhan for her many years of tireless service, unwavering sacrifice, and steadfast love for our people. We are honored to continue building upon the noble work and timeless example of such an extraordinary, beloved woman.
Beloved Mother Khadijah, we cannot thank Allah enough for you, your unparalleled love, your unwavering sacrifice, your devoted service, and your relentless pursuit of the rise of our Nation. We love you!
Student Southern Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Dr. Nusaybah Muhammad:
As the mother of nine children, she has also demonstrated how to rear righteous seeds. Through her consistency, sacrifice, and gentle strength, Mother Farrakhan modeled how to instill Islam into the hearts of children until it becomes their nature. Her family is a living reflection of the success that comes from nurturing children according to divine guidance.
Mother Farrakhan further elevated the Training Unit on cooking, embodying the principles of “How to Eat to Live” and showing Muslim women everywhere that healthy living does not mean sacrificing taste or flavor. Through her creativity in the kitchen, she proved that eating to live can be delicious, joyful, and deeply tied to our spiritual discipline.
In the Sewing Unit, Mother Khadijah emerged as a master seamstress, transforming her personal skill into a national expression of modesty and elegance.
She dressed her family with dignity and then broadened that gift to dress an entire nation of women. Her work showed that the Muslim woman can be both fashionable and modest, refined in appearance and rooted in divine purpose.
For me, and for countless sisters across the Nation, Mother Farrakhan is the living reminder of why the Training Units matter. They provide the root foundation for God’s expectations of us as women, how we think, how we move, how we serve, how we build.
And how we help establish a divine civilization. Through her life, she has shown that the M.G.T. and G.C.C. is not simply a curriculum, it is a pathway to fulfilling our divine purpose.
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan has risen to a height that allows all of us coming behind her to lift our eyes and see what a God-filled, purposeful life looks like. She is our example, our comfort, and our confirmation that when the woman is trained in God, she becomes the cornerstone of a new world.
Student Eastern Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Johnna Muhammad:
I was first blessed to meet Mother Khadijah Farrakhan in 1979 at the Medinah Temple in Chicago, Illinois, where the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke during the rebuilding stages of the Nation of Islam. My first thought was, “she is so beautiful and so regal.”
Later, at other events, I would notice her engaged, holding the audience. During a very early Saviours’ Day event, I recall her addressing us women and teaching about the role of women in Islam and the dress of women in Islam. I was blessed to visit her and see her in action at her garment factory, Newell Apparel.
I find her to be a no-nonsense woman. Whenever blessed to be in her presence, she often would speak of her family and how the women conducted themselves under the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
She is the epitome of the Muslim Girl in Training and General Civilization Class. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan would often speak proudly about how, when they had nothing, she would beautify their home, teach their daughters to cook, and be the type of mother that she is.
As she traveled with her husband all over the world, we saw how she carried herself with dignity, poise, style, sophistication, and grace. She is the epitome of a well-rounded woman. She is the Mother of our Nation. She is the quintessential woman.
Student 7th Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C.Captain Aaniyah Muhammad:
Words fall short when attempting to capture the depth of my love, admiration, and reverence for you, beloved Mother Khadijah Farrakhan. Your life is one of unwavering devotion—defined by fearlessness, loyalty, and steadfastness in faith. As a Believer, a wife, and a mother to a Nation, you embody a grace that strengthens and inspires me.
I thank Allah, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, for blessing us with the immeasurable gift of Mother Khadijah Farrakhan. It is my sincerest prayer that He continues to envelop you in His grace, His mercy, His protection, and His boundless favor.
Happy and Blessed 90th Birth Anniversary, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan. We love you. We honor you.
Student Southwest Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Maalikah Muhammad:
I love, love, love and appreciate Mother Khadijah Farrakhan so much as the Mother of the Faithful, the Mother of our Nation. I actually look at her like my own mother. She reminds me so much of my mother. Her birth anniversary is November 26 and my birth mother’s is November 27, so I’ve always enjoyed celebrating both of them around the same time.
But her wonderful and loving spirit, her beautiful demeanor, her love for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, her children, her family, and her love for her Nation exude in everything that she does and in every interaction that I’ve had with her.
I’m so grateful to Mother Khadijah, because she and her sacrifice, I attribute it to the success of our Nation today. So, I could never thank Allah enough for our dear Mother Farrakhan and I’m honored just to be able to say that to her and say that about her and that she can hear it.
And of course, I’ve said it to her, but I’m so grateful, grateful, grateful to Mother Khadijah and her sacrifice on behalf of our Nation and her sincere and genuine love for me and us and our Nation.
Student Delaware Valley Region M.G.T. and G.C.C.Captain Kamisha Muhammad:
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan is a profound inspiration to me and to our sisterhood. As we celebrate her 90th birthday anniversary, we honor her lifetime of grace, strength, and unwavering devotion to Allah and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
She embodies the highest example of a believing woman: disciplined, loving, and rooted in righteousness. Her life continues to uplift our sisterhood, reminding us of our dignity, our purpose, and the beauty of true womanhood. Mother Khadijah is a light among us, and we are blessed to celebrate her 90 years of divine service.
Student Western Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Sajdah Karriem:
Meeting Mother Khadijah Farrakhan for the first time was an experience I will never forget. As soon as I saw her, I felt a calmness and grace that filled the entire space. There was a warmth in her presence—gentle, dignified, and steady—that immediately put my heart at ease. I felt honored, humbled, and uplifted all at once.
Mother Khadijah is an incredible woman in the Nation of Islam—truly one of its finest. Her example of quiet strength, unwavering loyalty, and deep compassion has inspired generations.
She carries herself with a rare elegance and humility, yet her spirit is powerful enough to move anyone who is blessed to be in her presence. Her long-standing support, sacrifice, and dedication to our Beloved Minister represent the best of who we strive to be.
To meet her was to witness living history and to feel the beauty of a life lived with faith, love, and unwavering commitment. She is, without question, a magnificent and extraordinary jewel in the Nation of Islam and a beautiful example to all the women in the Nation of Islam.
As a Student Regional Captain in the Nation of Islam, I look for living examples of leadership, character, and faith that I can strive to reflect in my post.
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan stands out as one of the greatest examples of quiet strength, unwavering support, humility, grace, and steadfast faith. Her life offers several lessons that guide me in my own development as a student, a believer, and a servant.
Student Mid-Atlantic Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C.Captain Saadiqa Muhammad:
I want to just thank Allah for blessing us with such a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful woman as an example to us, the Black woman, of just how to stand and represent. That to me is an awesome responsibility, especially when a book doesn’t come with it.
So, I thank Allah that she has been such a perfect example for me. I know that as a Nation, all eyes have been on her, from our Class, and I just love her. I just love her and I thank Allah every day. We don’t have very many Black women who are willing to stand by their men.
To sacrifice, sacrifice family, raise their children, when their partner is out working. We don’t have many examples of women who will do that and put the love in the children for their father. So, I’m so thankful. I’m just thankful.
What else can we say about Mother Khadijah? I am thankful to Allah that she has been with us for 90 years and I am praying that she gets 90 more! …Just to be able to look at her, that’s all I want to do, so I’m thankful. I’m thankful!
—Charlene Muhammad, National Correspondent