(Sayyidah Khadeejah [radhiyallahu ‘anha] – Part Two)
Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was such a wealthy businesswoman that when the caravans would go out, her consignment was equal to the goods of the entire Quraish. However, she would not personally engage in trade; rather, she would hire men to carry out the work for her and give them a certain percentage of the profit.
Meanwhile, the uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Abu Taalib, was undergoing financial constraints. Hence, he suggested to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that he seek employment from Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) since she does hire people. He further explained, “If you approach her, she will give you preference over anyone else due to the news of your purity (and honesty) reaching her. Even though I am uneasy with you going to Shaam and I am apprehensive of the Jews regarding you, but we do not have any option besides this.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Perhaps she will send a message to me in this regard.” However, Abu Taalib felt that if a request was not made, she would hire someone else. It so happened that Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) came to know of this discussion of theirs and she had also heard of the honesty, trustworthiness and noble character of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). She thus sent a message to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) requesting him to undertake this business journey and she even offered to give him double the wage that she normally gives others.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) accepted this offer and set out towards Shaam together with Maysarah, the slave of Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). During this journey, Maysarah witnessed many unique incidents unfold. The blessings of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) were such that during this journey, he made double the profit that would normally be made during these journeys. Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was quite pleased and thus gave him double the amount that she had promised to give him. Maysarah then explained to Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) the amazing and unique incidents that he had witnessed during this journey.
Since Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was a wealthy woman of noble descent, many men of the Quraish were desirous of marrying her. However, when Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) heard of the great qualities of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), she became desirous of marrying him, and thus sent a message to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informing him of her intention.
Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) sent Sayyidah Nafeesah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). When she reached him, she asked, “O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). What is preventing you from getting married?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “I do not possess enough (wealth) to get married.” Sayyidah Nafeesah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) asked him, “What if that is taken care of for you and you are offered (someone who has) beauty, wealth, honour and compatibility? Would you not accept?” Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) enquired who this woman was. She explained that she was referring to Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked her what would be the procedure, to which she replied that she will take care of it. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus gave her the go-ahead.
Sayyidah Nafeesah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) thereafter went to Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and informed her of what had transpired. Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) then sent a message to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asking him to come at a certain time. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) went to her, Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) addressed him saying, “Indeed I desire (to marry) you due to your close family ties with me, your rank amongst your people, your trustworthiness amongst them, your excellent character and your truthfulness in speech.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) consulted his uncles regarding this decision. Thereafter, his uncles, Sayyiduna Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Abu Taalib, accompanied him to the home of Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). On her side, Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) also called her uncle ‘Amr bin Asad, as her father had already passed away.
Abu Taalib delivered a sermon in which he spoke highly about the nobility of their family, as well as the greatness of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), together with mentioning, “Although, he has less wealth, (but that does not matter) for indeed wealth is like a moving shadow and a temporary thing.” Sayyidah Khadeejah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) learned cousin, Waraqah bin Naufal was also present and he spoke a few words as well. In this manner, this nikaah was performed which became the beginning of a blessed union. At that time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was twenty-five years old while Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was forty.
(Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 1, pg. 131, Usdul Ghaabah vol. 5, pg. 260 and Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 1, pg. 370-376 & vol. 4, pg. 365)
Lessons:
1. Honesty and trustworthiness are like magnets. People are automatically drawn and inclined to a person who is blessed with these qualities. Like every other good quality, this quality was also found to the highest level in Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and he was thus titled “As-Saadiq” (the truthful) and “Al-Ameen” (the trustworthy). How unfortunate it is nowadays that these qualities are so rare, be it in the business sector or even in our domestic lives. We should thus strive and endeavour to imbibe within us these qualities and characteristics.
2. Although Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was sought after by many influential people in the Quraish, her criterion for marriage was nobility, trustworthiness, excellent character and good values, not mere wealth and fame. When a person bases his decision of marriage on piety and character, he will never regret that decision, since it is these things which will keep the marriage intact. As it is said in English, “Wealth might get you married, but piety and good character will keep you married.”
3. Although Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) were grown up adults, and both of them had already lost their fathers, they still consulted with their uncles and included them in this important decision, as there is great blessings and goodness in doing so. Hence, young people should never take the matter of marriage in their own hands, as this may result in great regret for them later on.