Excerpts from Islamic Books

Sealed Nectar: Early Occupation & Marriage to Khadījah (رضي الله عنها)

— Muhammad(ﷺ)'s Early Occupation —

Muhammad (ﷺ) had no particular job at his early youth, but it was reported that he worked as a shepherd for Banī Sa'd and in Makkah for a wage.

At the age of 25, he went to Syria as a merchant for Khadījah (رضي الله عنها). Ibn Ishāq reported that Khadījah (رضي الله عنها), daughter of Khuwailid was a business-woman of great honor and fortune. She used to employ men to do her business for a certain percentage of the profits.

The Quraysh were merchants, so when Khadījah (رضي الله عنها) was informed of Muhammad (ﷺ), his truthful words, great honesty and kind manners, she sent for him. She offered him money to go to Syria and do her business, and she would give him a higher rate than the others. She would also send her servant, Maisarah, with him. He agreed and went with her servant to Syria for trade.

When he returned to Makkah, Khadījah (رضي الله عنها) noticed in her money more profits and blessings than she was accustomed to. Her servant also told her of Muhammad's good manners, honesty, deep thought, sincerity and faith. She realized that she homed at her target. Many prominent men had asked for her hand in marriage but she always refused their advances. She disclosed her wish to her friend Nafīsah, who immediately went to Muhammad (ﷺ) to inform him.

He agreed, and subsequently, they were married. The marriage agreement was witnessed by Banī Hāshim and the heads of Mudār. He gave her twenty camels as a dowry. She was, then, forty years old and was considered the best of women in lineage, fortune and wisdom. She was the first woman Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) married. He did not get married to any other until she passed away.

With the exception of Ibrahim, Khadijah (رضي الله عنها) bore all of his children: Al-Qāsim, Zainab, Ruqaiyah, Umm Kulthūm, Fātimah and 'Abdullah who was called Taiyib and Tahir. All his sons died in their childhood and all the daughters except Fātimah (رضي الله عنها) died during his lifetime. Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) died six months after his death. All his daughters witnessed Islam, embraced it, and emigrated to Madīnah.

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