Muhammad was now 25 years old… It was time he engaged in some form of business. His uncle Abu Talib had grown too old to work. One day he sat Muhammad down and said:

“My dear son, the light of my eyes… As you know we are struggling to make ends meet and I am too old to engage in business… And you’ve passed the age of a shepherd’s pay… If a business opportunity comes up, would you like to give it a try?”

Our Master accepted this offer with pleasure… All they had to do was figure out what form of business he should take up, which in a short time they easily did… Soon enough this talk of Muhammad’s interest in a business venture reached Khadija, the wealthiest businesswoman of Mecca…

At this point, Muhammad was known and referred to as “Muhammad al-amin” which meant “The trustworthy”. Khadija called for Muhammad and offered him to accompany her caravan to the bazaar of Juraish in return for two young camels. Juraish was six days distance between Mecca and Yemen. 

Our Master accepted. From Juraish he bought wheat, which was produced in Yemen, and sold this in Mecca. He added the profit he made from this trade to their working capital, went to the Hubasha Bazaar, and bought new merchandise. In a short time, he doubled the merchandise that was given to him. 

This is how the first business connection started between our Master and Khadija. These two little business trips had proven fruitful for Khadija…

A few months had passed…

One day Atiqa, our Masters aunt, the daughter of Abdulmuttalib came to visit Abu Talib.

“O Abu Talib” she said… “Muhammad is 25 years old… It’s time he gets married, do you not consider this?”

Abu Talib was thoughtful… “I am always considering the needs of Muhammad, but as you can see, I have grown old… Though I desire the best for him my financial situation is not appropriate to cover the costs of a wedding…”

Atiqa smiled, “I know a way he can make an earning…”

“How?” Abu Talib asked…

“If you think it is appropriate, I can arrange it straight away…”

“Arrange what? Tell me first!”

“Khadija is planning on sending a new caravan to Damascus these days… Apparently, she is looking for someone she can trust to manage her caravan. If you like, I can talk to her, it will be a mutually beneficial agreement, Khadija will have her goods sold and my nephew will make enough money for a wedding…”

This made sense to Abu Talib.

“Accepted, do as you like…” he said.

Abu Talib shared this idea with Muhammad. Our Master gladly accepted. Meanwhile Atiqa went to visit Khadija:

“O Khadija… I heard that you are going to send a caravan to Damascus and that you are looking for someone you can trust to take care of your business… If you like you can entrust your caravan to Muhammad al-Amin, my nephew… What do you say?”

Khadijas eyes lit up, this offer made her happy:

“I had sent Muhammad on a couple of trips before, to the bazaars in Juraish and Hubasha… He brings luck and abundance wherever he goes… If that noble young man accepts to take my caravan to Damascus, I can give him twice the merchandise I give others…. Can you please ask him to visit me immediately?”

Atiqa was pleased. Both parties were excited with this new possible venture… Muhammad took a friend with him and went to visit Khadija.

Khadija first observed Muhammad from head to toe…  How astonishing! She had never seen such a good-looking man with such a luminous and reassuring face before... 

“All of the Meccans know how trustworthy you are” she admitted, “This is why they call you “al-Amin” (The Trustworthy) … This time, I would like to leave my caravan in your trust… I’m also thinking about sending my servant Maysara to assist you… I will give you twice the merchandise I give others, the more you sell the more you can earn…” 

Muhammad took this offer and shared it word to word with his uncle Abu Talib. 

“My beloved nephew…” Abu Talib responded, “No doubt this job is a blessing that has been sent to you by Allah. You can accept it, but I fear the Jews there will try to harm you. Though I also know that Allah who has raised you and protected you until now will surely continue to protect you…”

So, the caravan under Muhammad’s supervision and trust, finally embarked on the journey to Damascus. Alongside Maysara, Khadija also sent Huzayma, one of her relatives, to assist Muhammad…