made for the purpose of ensuring justice for all.4
When the al-Fuḍūl covenant was made, Muhammad, now a young man of twenty, was opening a new stage in his life. His noble birth, strong character and physical strength would surely have put him on the road to prosperity. We have reports suggesting that in his old age Muhammad was endowed with exceptional strength. In his youth, he must have been full of vigour and ability. Combining this with his well-known honesty and wisdom which belied his years in addition to his fine character, it was only to be expected that if he aspired to any material achievement in his society he would have been certain to achieve it.
Muhammad, however, continued to set for himself a high code of honour. The strength of his character and his keen sense of morality provided a balancing factor for his physical desire. He was able to control that desire with his wisdom and spiritual strength.
Moreover, he was fast acquiring a reputation for meticulous honesty. Indeed, he was called by his society al-amīn, which meant ‘trustworthy and honest’. Material gain did not seem to tempt him in any way. He did not despise wealth, nor did he seek any vain ideals. He only had a fine sense of proportion. He realized that wealth was not an end in itself. It was a means to a higher end. Hence he approached the task of searching for a new occupation with seriousness and dignity. It was soon decided that he should try to find employment in trade and business.
Muhammad had no money of his own to establish a business; nor was Abū Ṭālib, his uncle, a man of affluence to provide him with a good start. The only option left for him, therefore, was to prove himself as an agent, trading on someone else’s behalf. Apparently, he had no difficulty in securing such a position, because of his rapidly growing reputation for honesty and sound character. We have some reports which suggest that he was trading in different markets and bazaars. He entered into partnership with a fellow agent called al-Sā’ib ibn Abī al-Sā’ib, whom he praised later for his integrity and honesty. When, many years later, the Prophet met al-Sā’ib on the day he conquered Makkah, he welcomed him warmly, saying: “Welcome to my brother and partner, an honest and straightforward man.”5
It is not absolutely certain for whom Muhammad was working as agent in those early years. It is reasonable, however, to assume that it was Khadījah bint Khuwaylid, a rich widow, who had the benefit of his valuable services. She was later to send him on a trade mission to Syria with a great quantity of goods. Probably she would not have done that without trying him first in the local markets. He is reported to have said later that she was a very kind employer. Every time he and his partner went to see her, she offered them something to eat.
Muhammad gained a great deal of experience in business in his early twenties. He was working on commission. Khadījah, however, paid him more than she paid her other agents. She realized that she had working for her a man who combined honesty and integrity with a keen eye for business. Her admiration for Muhammad was increasing all the time. She wanted to retain his services, and she felt that the only way to do that was to increase his income. He, however, showed no sign of the greed normally shown by people in his position.
Business Travel
Things were becoming very difficult in Makkah. Business was at a low ebb after a couple of years of drought. It was important for the Makkan business people to concentrate on their traditional trips to Syria and Yemen. One year, as preparations for the trip to Syria were getting under way, Abū Ṭālib spoke to his nephew about travelling as agent of Khadījah.
Deep down in his heart, Abū Ṭālib did not wish his nephew to travel to Syria because he feared for his safety. But the situation was deteriorating and such a trip held the best promise for the family. Abū Ṭālib heard that Khadījah was planning to send someone on her trade in return for two camels. He felt that if he were to speak to her, she would be glad to send Muhammad at double that commission. Muhammad, however, was against approaching her. Soon he received the news that she wanted him to travel on her business trip. Some reports suggest that it was Khadījah who approached Abū Ṭālib first. She knew that he was not keen on his nephew travelling away from Makkah. She, however, wanted to send a man whom she could trust. Abū Ṭālib yielded to her pressure after Khadījah agreed to pay Muhammad double the normal commission. Her servant, Maysarah, was to travel with him.
It was a successful trip. Muhammad managed to sell all the goods he took out with him to Syria at a profit, and bought Syrian goods to sell in Makkah. Again, he made a handsome profit for Khadījah. One report suggests that she actually made twice as much as she hoped for. She was so grateful to Muhammad that she doubled his commission.
Maysarah gave his mistress a detailed report on the trip. He was full of praise for Muhammad, whom he came to know as a most pleasant man to be with – honest, kind and truthful. He never tried to burden others with his needs, yet he was most helpful to others. He did not wait for them to ask for help, he was always ready to oblige.6
Khadījah, being a wealthy widow, received one marriage proposal after another. She realized, however, that it was her money that tempted her suitors. Hence she declined as many proposals as she received. Her business association with Muhammad, however, made her recognize that there was a man for whom money was not the greatest priority. She began to think of him in a different light. Khadījah was a woman of great intelligence and noble birth. She had a strong character and she liked to act in any matter only after she had looked at it carefully from all angles. Apparently, she consulted one or two of her trusted relatives, who praised Muhammad highly. One of those was Waraqah ibn Nawfal, an old uncle of hers, who recognized that Muhammad was destined to have a very important future. Khadījah had long resolved that she would choose her future husband when she was absolutely certain of his character. Looking at her dealings with Muhammad, she felt that it was now up to her to take the next step.
Khadījah sent a close friend of hers, Nufaysah bint Munyah, to make an indirect approach to Muhammad. When she met him she said: “Muhammad, what is keeping you from getting married?” He answered: “I do not have enough to meet the expense of my marriage.” She said: “What if you are not called upon to meet such expenses? What would you say to a woman of beauty, wealth and position who is willing to marry you? Would you marry her?” He said: “Who is that woman?” She answered: “Khadījah.” He asked: “Who can arrange such a marriage for me?” She said: “Leave that to me.” His response was: “I will do it, willingly.”
The First Marriage
When Khadījah was sure of Muhammad’s reaction, she sent him a message asking him to come and see her. She said to him: “Cousin, [she used this term in the widest sense, since she was a very distant cousin of Muhammad. Their ancestry did not join until the fifth grandparent.] I admire you because of your good position among your people, your honesty and good manners, and because you are a man of your word.” She then made her proposal that they should get married. Muhammad was very pleased and went to inform his uncles, who were also very pleased with such a marriage.
Muhammad went with his uncles to meet Khadījah’s uncle, ʿAmr ibn Asad. Abū Ṭālib spoke on behalf of his nephew. He said: “This nephew of mine, Muhammad ibn ʿAbdullāh, is without peers in his nobility of character and descent. If he is not wealthy, wealth is only something accidental. Money comes and goes, and many a wealthy man becomes poor. He will certainly have a great future. He is proposing marriage to your honourable daughter, Khadījah. He is giving her a dowry of such-and-such.” ʿAmr ibn Asad did not hesitate to make his acceptance clear. The marriage was then concluded at a dowry of 20 young camels.
It was a happy marriage. Most biographers of the Prophet put his age at 25, saying that Khadījah was 40. Some reports suggest that the Prophet was nearer 30. Khadījah, on the other hand, was reported to have been 35, or even 25. In view of the fact that she gave Muhammad six children, the report which allots her a younger age seems more accurate. ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās, the Prophet’s cousin, who is considered to have been the most learned among the companions of the Prophet, states that she was 28 and not a day older.7
Whatever their respective ages, Muhammad was to spend 25 happy years with Khadījah. The marriage gave Khadījah a man whom she could love, respect and trust. He was a most caring and loving husband