Youth, Character & Marriage to Khadijah
الشباب والزواج من خديجة
After the death of Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet ﷺ was raised by his uncle Abu Talib. He became known throughout Mecca as Al-Amin (The Trustworthy) before his marriage to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid at age 25.
The Account
Under the Care of Abd al-Muttalib, then Abu Talib
After his mother's death, the Prophet ﷺ was raised by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib, the chief of Quraysh, who showed him exceptional love and attention. Abd al-Muttalib died when the Prophet ﷺ was approximately 8 years old.
His uncle Abu Talib then became his guardian. Despite never accepting Islam, Abu Talib remained the Prophet's ﷺ protector and defender throughout the Makkan period.
The Journey to Ash-Sham and Bahira the Monk
When the Prophet ﷺ was approximately 9-12 years old, he accompanied Abu Talib on a trading caravan to Ash-Sham (Greater Syria). A Christian monk named Bahira in Busra noticed signs he had read about in his scriptures and warned Abu Talib to guard his nephew from the Jews who would seek to harm him.
Note: Ibn Kathir includes this account in Al-Bidaya based on Ibn Ishaq, though the chain has some weakness. The broad fact of a trading journey with Abu Talib is well established.
Al-Amin — The Trustworthy
The Prophet ﷺ grew to be known throughout Mecca by the title Al-Amin (The Trustworthy) and Al-Sadiq (The Truthful). He was noble in character, gentle in speech, and was trusted by all with their valuables and secrets. People of all tribes deposited their possessions with him.
When the Ka'bah was being rebuilt (approximately 605 CE), a dispute arose between the tribes over who would have the honour of placing the Black Stone (Al-Hajar al-Aswad) back in its position. The Prophet ﷺ, then around 35 years old, resolved the dispute by having the chiefs of all four tribes hold a sheet together and lift the stone, then placed it himself. All tribes were satisfied.
Marriage to Khadijah RA
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid was a wealthy Makkan businesswoman, twice widowed, who heard of the Prophet's ﷺ honesty and sent him on a trading expedition to Ash-Sham with her servant Maysarah. He returned having earned double the expected profit. Maysarah reported his extraordinary character and conduct.
Khadijah proposed marriage through her friend Nafisah. The Prophet ﷺ accepted. They were married when he was approximately 25 years old and she was approximately 40.
Khadijah RA became the first person to accept Islam and was the greatest support of the Prophet ﷺ in his mission. They had six children together: two sons (al-Qasim and Abdullah, both died in infancy) and four daughters (Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah RA).
The Prophet ﷺ never married anyone else while Khadijah was alive, and after her death spoke of her with the deepest love and gratitude.
Hadith References
"Khadijah said to the Prophet ﷺ after the first revelation: "By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.""
Relevance: Khadijah's testimony to his character before prophethood — listing six qualities
"The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.""
Relevance: His treatment of Khadijah RA and subsequent wives
"Aisha RA said: "I was not jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ as much as I was jealous of Khadijah, even though she had died before he married me, because of how often he mentioned her.""
Relevance: Shows his deep and lasting love and loyalty to Khadijah RA
Scholar Views
"Allah prepared him through these years — the orphanhood, the trading journeys, the title Al-Amin — so that when prophethood came, all of Mecca knew his truthfulness, and no one could accuse him of lying about the revelation."
Zad al-Ma'ad, Vol. 1
"The marriage to Khadijah was the beginning of a partnership that would sustain the Prophet ﷺ through the most difficult years of his mission. She was the first to believe him, support him with her wealth, and comfort him with her words."
Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, Ch. 3
Key Lessons
- ◆Trustworthiness (amanah) and truthfulness (sidq) were the foundation of his character before prophethood
- ◆His wisdom in resolving the Black Stone dispute at 35 showed natural leadership
- ◆Khadijah RA's support demonstrates the immense role a righteous spouse plays in supporting a noble mission
- ◆His loyalty to Khadijah RA even after her death is a model of loyalty in marriage
Sources
- •Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum — Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri
- •Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya — Ibn Kathir
- •Zad al-Ma'ad — Ibn al-Qayyim
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