Prophet Muhammad's Biography (Part 4)

Muhammad's Early Occupation.

Muhammad (pbuh) had no particular job at his early youth, but it was reported that he worked as a shepherd for Bani Sa'd and in Makkah for a wage.
At the age of 25 he went to Syria as a merchant for Khadija (R.a).
Ibn Ishaq reported that:

 Khadija (r.a). daughter of Khuwailid was a business-woman of great honor and fortunate. she used to employ men to do her business for a certain percentage of profits.

The Quraish were merchants, so when Khadija was informed of Muhammad (pbuh), 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.

His Marriage to Khadija.

When he returned to makkah, Khadija (R.A) 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 Nafisa, daughter of Muniya, who immediately went to Muhammad (pbuh) to in for him.

He agreed and requested his uncles to go to khadija's uncle to discuss the matter. subsequently, they were married. The marriage agreement was witnessed by Bani Hashim and the heads of Mudar. This took place after the Prophet's return from Syria. He gave her twenty camels as a dowry, she was then 40 years old and was considered the best of women lineage, fortune and wisdom. She was the first woman Allah's Messenger (pbuh) married. He did not get married to any other until she passed away.

With the exception of Ibrahim, Khadija (r.a) bore all of his children; Al-Qasim, Zainab,Rugaiyah, Umm Kulthum, Fatimah and 'Abdullah who was called Taiyib and Tahir.. All his sons died in their childhood and all the daughters except Fatimah died during his lifetime. Fatimah (r.a) died 6 months after his death. All his daughters witnessed Islam, embraced it, and emigrated to Madinah. [Ibn Hisham 1/190,191; Fath Al-Bari 7/507] {mospagebreak}


to be continued soon inshaalah.

*Context was taken from the revised Edition of of Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtumi's The Sealed Nectar.

ok thats it for this post. Till next time Peace be unto you!
Salaam