The sounder view is that each of the two has a distinctive merit that belongs to her alone and in which the other does not share. ʿA’ishah—may Allah be pleased with her—excelled after the close of the prophetic mission and following the Prophet’s passing, for she disseminated the message, knowledge, and the rulings of the Law in a way that Khadijah did not. Khadijah, on the other hand—may Allah be pleased with her—excelled at the dawn of the mission, supporting and standing by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in a manner unmatched by ʿA’ishah. Each, then, has her own special distinction. As for the greatest honor, it is enough for them both that they were the most beloved of the Prophet’s wives to him, and that suffices. Beyond that, every one of them enjoys her particular virtues.