The Excellent Exemplar - Muhammad — Page 9
THE EXCELLENT EXEMPLAR — MUHAMMAD 9 of modesty and good sense - a sharp contrast to the behavior of other young men of similar situation whom Abu Talib knew. While still a young man, Muhammad was employed as a trade agent by Khadeeja, a wealthy, middle - aged widow of Mecca in business on her own, and he proceeded in that capacity on one or two journeys with a trade caravan. He acquitted himself so well in the di scharge of his duties that each venture brought considerable profit to his employer. She received favorable reports of his deportment, habits, and behavior. This must have confirmed the good impression that she had herself conceived of the young man’s pers on and character, and she made up her mind to send him an offer of marriage. When the offer was communicated to Muhammad through his uncle, he took counsel with the latter, who advised acceptance, and the match was concluded. Muhammad was twenty - five when he married Khadeeja, who was forty, had been twice widowed, and had had children. In making his own decision Muhammad must have been principally influenced by the kindly treatment Khadeeja had accorded him while he worked for her, and the good impression her other qualities had made on him It is true Khadeeja was wealthy, but this could not have influenced Muhammad, for it is well known that when Khadeeja placed all her resources at her husband’s disposal, he distributed the gr eater part of her goods and property among the poor, the needy, and the afflicted, and set free all her slaves. He thus voluntarily chose a life of poverty for himself and his wife, and it speaks highly of Khadeeja’s deep affection fox her husband and of h er lofty character that she accepted his choice