Commercial Engagements — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Commercial Engagements.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: IV-Early Life
Pages: Book pp. 146–148 (PDF pp. 170–172)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [His Blessed Appearance] | Next: [Marriage to Hadrat Khadijah (ra)] »
Historical Account
As it has already been mentioned, Muḥammadsa had now reached the age of adulthood, and the time had come for him to enter into practical life. Moreover, since Abū Ṭālib’s financial state was not very stable; there was a genuine need for Muḥammadsa to enter into an occupation so as to lighten the burden of his uncle. Therefore, upon the desire and encouragement of Abū Ṭālib, Muḥammadsa began to work in trade and commerce. Numerous trade caravans would leave Makkah for diverse regions. Towards the south in Yemen and to the north in Syria formal trade had been established. In addition to this, commerce also took place with Baḥrain. Muḥammadsa travelled to all of these places for the purpose of commerce. Every time Muḥammadsa would fulfill his obligations with remarkable honesty, trust, elegance and skill. In Makkah also, everyone who dealt with Muḥammadsa would frequently praise him. Accordingly, Sā’ib was a companion of the Holy Prophetsa. When he accepted Islām, people praised him before the
[Sīratun-Nabīsa, By Shiblī Nu‘mānī, Volume 1, pp. 109-110, Bāb Ḥudūd-e-Safar, Published by the Ḥudhaifah Academy, Urdu Bazār, Lahore (2000)]
Holy Prophetsa and the Prophetsa said, “I am more acquainted with him than you,” at which Sā’ib responded, “Indeed, O Holy Prophetsa, may my father and mother be an offering! You were once my partner in business and you were moral and pure in all your dealings.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Adab, Bābu fī Karāhiyyatil-Mirā’, Ḥadīth No. 4836]
‘Abdullāh bin Abil-Ḥamsā’ was another companion who narrates:
‘Prior to the commencement of the divine mission of the Prophetsa, I dealt with him in a business transaction after which I owed the Prophetsa his remaining dues. I told the Prophetsa to wait there while I return shortly. However, I forgot and remembered after three days. When I returned to the meeting place, the Prophetsa was still there. The Prophetsa said nothing more to me than, ‘You have subjected me to an inconvenience as I have been waiting upon you for the past three days.’
Apparently, the intent of this narration is not to imply that Muḥammadsa waited in the same place for three days continuously. Instead its meaning is that Muḥammadsa would return to the same place repeatedly and would wait for many hours whilst expecting the return of ‘Abdullāh so that his business partner would not be put under any burden as a result of his absence.
[Sunan Abū Dāwūd, Kitābul-Adab, Bābu Fil-‘Iddah, Ḥadīth No. 4996]
It is due to such occurrences that Muḥammadsa became renowned as Amīn among the Makkans. Moreover, as a result of his honesty, he was greatly revered in Makkah and was known as an exceptionally righteous individual who always spoke the truth.
[The Trustworthy (Publishers)]
The involvement of Muḥammadsa in business commenced when he was approximately 25 years of age. Khadījah bint Khuwailid of the clan Banū Asad was an exceedingly noble and wealthy lady who possessed a significant market share in the trade and commerce of Makkah. She sent Muḥammadsa to Syria with her commercial goods and provided the services of her slave, Maysarah who accompanied Muḥammadsa during travel. Due to the diligence, blessings and honesty of Muḥammadsa, God the Almighty blessed this trade venture extraordinarily and much profit was generated. Hence, he returned home from his mission with great success. In the same manner, Muḥammadsa undertook
two or three other trade expeditions to other regions as well.
Marriage to Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra
Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra was a widow with children and had married two times, however both of her husbands had passed away. She was a very revered, wealthy, and noble woman. Due to her noble character she was given the title Ṭāhirah, which became very well known and was recognized throughout Makkah. It is for this reason that many people of Makkah presented proposals of marriage to her, but she declined them all. When she had the opportunity to deal with Muḥammadsa she witnessed his great moral qualities, and capabilities, and also found her slave Maysarah satiated with praise for him; she sent a marriage proposal to Muḥammadsa herself. After consulting with Abū Ṭālib, Muḥammadsa accepted this proposal. The relatives of Muḥammadsa and Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra were gathered and the marriage vows were taken at a dowry of five hundred Dirham. At that time Muḥammadsa was 25 years of age and Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra was of 40. In other words, Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra was 15 years older than Muḥammadsa. At the time of the marriage of Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra her father Khuwailid bin Asad had passed away, so her uncle ‘Umar bin Asad took part in the marriage on his behalf.
[The Pure (Publishers)]
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Muḥammad bin ‘Abdul-Bāqī Az- Zarqānī, Volume 1, Bābu Tazawwujihī ‘Alaihis-Salām min Khadījata binti Khuwailid, p. 373, Dārul- Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
[Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Part 1, Dhikru Tazwīji Rasūlillāhisa Khadījata binti Khuwailid, pp. 62-63, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) * Ar-Rauḍul-Anf, By Imām Abul-Qāsim ‘Abdur-Raḥmān Suhailī,, Volume 1, pp. 324-325, Bābu Ḥadīthi Tazwīji Rasūlillāhisa Khadījatara, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)]
Children of Muḥammadsa
All the children of Muḥammadsa were from Khadījahra, except Ibrahīmas who was conceived by Māriyah Qibṭiyyahra, during the latter age of Muḥammadsa. From Ḥaḍrat Khadījahra, Muḥammadsa was given three sons named Qāsimas, Ṭāhiras and Ṭayyabas. In some narrations, a young boy named ‘Abdullāhas is also mentioned. However, it is a generally accepted notion that ‘Abdullāhas was the second name given to Ṭayyabas. Among his daughters were Zainabra, Ruqayyahra, Ummi Kulthūmra and Fāṭimahra. All the children of Muḥammadsa from his wife Khadījahra, were born prior to his claim to prophethood and thus according to the Arabian custom, Muḥammadsa received
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: IV-Early Life | Navigation: « Previous: [His Blessed Appearance] | Next: [Marriage to Hadrat Khadijah (ra)] »