Holy Prophet's Kindness to Children — Page 6
6 Abu Talib with the suggestion that he should let his nephew lead a trading caravan of hers to Syria. Abu Talib consulted Muhammad s as and they both agreed to the proposal. The business trip was a great success. Muhammad s as returned with huge profits. Khadijah was greatly impressed with his honesty and the way he had handled her business affairs. She therefore made him a marriage proposal, which he accepted. At the time of their marriage, Muhammad s as was twenty-five and Khadijah was forty years old. After the marriage Khadijah gave all her wealth and slaves to Muhammad s as. Muhammad s as spent most of the wealth to help the poor and needy and immedi- ately freed all the slaves. Muslims believe that when Muhammad s as reached the age of forty, God appointed him as His Messenger. It is said that he often went outside the city of Makkah and spent his time in the worship of God in a cave called Hira. This cave was situated on the top of a mountain about three miles outside Makkah. He was dissatisfied with the way of life which he saw around him in Makkah. It was a corrupt society. The poor and the orphans were totally neglected. People worshipped