Muhammad( SAS) was twenty five years of age when he crossed paths with then 40 year old Khadija( RA), who hired him for his integrity, honesty and principles when conducting business. Khadija( RA) sent Muhammad( SAS) on business accompanied by one of her faithful and trusted servants. On their return, Khadija( RA) inquired about Muhammad( SAS) and his dealings on the trip. Nothing but good could be said about this man called Muhammad( SAS) and Khadija( RA) was immediately impressed. He managed to make much more profit on the trip than she anticipated, all whilst maintaining his integrity, honesty and principles. He was kind, gentle and considerate in his dealings with everyone including servants and slaves, which was not the norm. Khadija( RA) listened intently to the many stories about this amazing trip and the amazing man, but one story peaked her interest. As told by many historians, on returning from the business trip, Muhammad( SAS) stopped to rest under a tree, when a passing monk inquired about him, the monk then explained that none but a prophet of God ever sat beneath that tree. Khadija’ s servant also told Khadija( RA) that whilst on their return journey she noticed a cloud that followed them, protecting them from the extreme heat of the sun. Khadija( RA) was extremely impressed with this young man and immediately thought to propose marriage, but how could she? How would she do this? What would her tribe say? She had already refused so many other proposals from men belonging to the noblest of families and Muhammad( SAS) was also fifteen years her junior, what would her family say? One night Khadija( RA) had a dream and she immediately seeked advice regarding it; she was told that the dream meant that Muhammad( SAS) would grace her home and that was the confirmation she needed to proceed with the proposal to Muhammad( SAS). Khadija( RA) wished to marry this honourable man, Muhammad( SAS) but was nervous. She sent someone she could trust to ask Muhammad( SAS) why he was not married, Muhammad replied“ for lack of means”, but Khadija( RA) did not need a husband to take of her. She then asked him,“ what if I could offer you a wife of nobility, beauty and wealth? Would you be interested?” He replied in the
affirmative. She then told him who the prospect was and Muhammad chuckled in amazement,“ How could I marry her? She has turned down the noblest men in the city, much wealthier and prominent than me, a poor shepherd.” He was assured that it would be taken care of and Muhammad( SAS) said“ for my part, I am willing” and the rest is just formality. Families got together, proposal was accepted and Muhammad( SAS) and Khadija( RA) were married, and so began the happiest, most loving and sacred marriages in all of human history. Khadija( RA) and Muhammad( SAS) were happily married for twenty five years; Muhammad loved Khadija, her age made no difference to him and Khadija was a source of immense love and support for Muhammad,
Half Your Deen
especially through the transition to Prophethood. In his late thirties, Muhammad( SAS) made regular visits to a cave in Mount Hira on the outskirts of Makkah, seeking solitude and contemplation. At age fourty, on one of his many retreats to the Cave of Hira, he received his first revelationfrom Angel Jibraeel( AS). The experience terrified him and he ran straight home, jumping into Khadija’ s arms crying“ Cover me! Cover me!” Although she was startled by his level of terror, she
stayed strong for him, reassuring him, comforting him, holding him. After soothing him for a while, Muhammad( SAS) was able to calm down and relate his experience to her. He feared that he was possessed or losing his mind, but his beloved wife Khadija( RA) put all of his fears to rest. She stood by him, supported him, loved him and advised him,“ Do not worry, she said“ By Allah, He would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed your guests and you answer the call of those who are in distress.” Muhammad( SAS) felt ease with his wife’ s words, her support and her love. She took her husband to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal who was an old, saintly scholar,
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