As it has already been mentioned, Muḥammadsa had now reached the age of adulthood, and the time had come for him to enter into practical life. Moreover, since Abū Ṭālib’s financial state was not very stable; there was a genuine need for Muḥammadsa to enter into an occupation so as to lighten the burden of his uncle. Therefore, upon the desire and encouragement of Abū Ṭālib, Muḥammadsa began to work in trade and commerce.
Numerous trade caravans would leave Makkah for diverse regions. Towards the south in Yemen and to the north in Syria formal trade had been established. In addition to this, commerce also took place with Baḥrain. Muḥammadsa travelled to all of these places for the purpose of commerce.1 Every time Muḥammadsa would fulfill his obligations with remarkable honesty, trust, elegance and skill. In Makkah also, everyone who dealt with Muḥammadsa would frequently praise him. Accordingly, Sā’ib was a companion of the Holy Prophetsa. When he accepted Islām, people praised him before the Holy Prophetsa and the Prophetsa said, “I am more acquainted with him than you,” at which Sā’ib responded, “Indeed, O Holy Prophetsa, may my father and mother be an offering! You were once my partner in business and you were moral and pure in all your dealings.”2
‘Abdullāh bin Abil-Ḥamsā’ was another companion who narrates:
‘Prior to the commencement of the divine mission of the Prophetsa, I dealt with him in a business transaction after which I owed the Prophetsa his remaining dues. I told the Prophetsa to wait there while I return shortly. However, I forgot and remembered after three days. When I returned to the meeting place, the Prophetsa was still there. The Prophetsa said nothing more to me than, ‘You have subjected me to an inconvenience as I have been waiting upon you for the past three days.’
Apparently, the intent of this narration is not to imply that Muḥammadsa waited in the same place for three days continuously. Instead its meaning is that Muḥammadsa would return to the same place repeatedly and would wait for many hours whilst expecting the return of ‘Abdullāh so that his business partner would not be put under any burden as a result of his absence.3
It is due to such occurrences that Muḥammadsa became renowned as Amīn4 among the Makkans. Moreover, as a result of his honesty, he was greatly revered in Makkah and was known as an exceptionally righteous individual who always spoke the truth.5
The involvement of Muḥammadsa in business commenced when he was approximately 25 years of age. Khadījah bint Khuwailid of the clan Banū Asad was an exceedingly noble and wealthy lady who possessed a significant market share in the trade and commerce of Makkah. She sent Muḥammadsa to Syria with her commercial goods and provided the services of her slave, Maysarah who accompanied Muḥammadsa during travel. Due to the diligence, blessings and honesty of Muḥammadsa, God the Almighty blessed this trade venture extraordinarily and much profit was generated. Hence, he returned home from his mission with great success. In the same manner, Muḥammadsa undertook two or three other trade expeditions to other regions as well.
1 Sīratun-Nabīsa, By Shiblī Nu‘mānī, Volume 1, pp. 109-110, Bāb Ḥudūd-e-Safar, Published by the Ḥudhaifah Academy, Urdu Bazār, Lahore (2000)
2 Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Adab, Bābu fī Karāhiyyatil-Mirā’, Ḥadīth No. 4836
3 Sunan Abū Dāwūd, Kitābul-Adab, Bābu Fil-‘Iddah, Ḥadīth No. 4996
4 The Trustworthy (Publishers)
5 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Malik bin Hishām, p. 145, Bābu Qiṣṣati Baḥīrā, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)