Muhammad:

As a Youth

TOWARDS SYRIA

      When Muhammad was about twelve years old, he heard that a trade caravan was to be heading toward Syria.  His uncle, Abu Talib, was going to participate in it.

      "Uncle," the twelve-year-old Muhammad said, "I would like to be in your company on the caravan, that is, if you don't mind." Abu Talib, the kindly gentleman, looked affectionately at Muhammad, then answered, "Certainly, I'd love to have you."

      The answer made Muhammad pleased and thankful.  He prepared for the trip with full energy, and soon the long caravan was on its way, with Muhammad (pbuh) and Abu Talib among the participants.

      As the caravan slowly moved Muhammad could see how vast the desert was, how immense the skies were, how breathtaking the sunrise was, and how absolutely beautiful the surrounding nature was.

      Slowly the caravan marched, the camels heavily laden, and needing to stop every so often, not only for rest but also refreshment.

      Way up north, in a place called Busrah, and after so many weeks of travel, the caravan came to rest.  A Christian priest called Buhaira sent for all in the caravan inviting them to dinner, at the monastery, where he stayed.  All went except for Muhammad, who stayed behind, perhaps to supervise the camels.

      Buhaira asked for Muhammad to join them, which he did.  He asked Muhammad several questions, which Muhammad answered briefly and to the point.  Then Buhaira took Abu Talib aside, away from the others, and started to talk to him.

      Buhaira emphasized that according to his readings, Muhammad showed some signs of being the great man to come.  He also impressed on Abu Talib the need to protect and safeguard Muhammad, and to do his best to care for him.  Abu Talib on his part, felt even more protective of young Muhammad, now that he had heard from a complete stranger, who was a Christian living in a faraway monastery!

      The caravan then continued its slow march toward Syria.  In Syria, the young Muhammad noted the vast difference between the arid desert of Arabia and the rich, lush land of Syria.  He could also see the many differences between the customs and habits of the two peoples.  However, all too soon it was time to return.  Abu Talib was in a hurry, constantly remembering what Buhaira had told him and constantly looking at his nephew with an eye of tenderness, protection and admiration.

THE FUJJAR WAR 

      At a tender age of fifteen years, Muhammad saw himself as a teenager, taller and stronger than before, healthy looking and robust.  An early beard had already started to grow on his face—he looked dignified.

      There was a lot of hustle and bustle in Mecca, and a lot of talk about a war.  A war had been raging on and off between the tribes of Quraish and Hawazin.  The Fujjar warhad been going on for four long years, just imagine!  The real reasons for the war sounded silly to Muhammad, if not absurd.

      Yes, Muhammad participated in that war, but only in a symbolic way—he never lifted a sword, nor threw an arrow.

      Muhammad was against the idea of such a senseless war.  He was against killing.  Therefore, during that war he stood by his uncle Abu Talib, lifting arrows from here and there and giving them to his uncle.

      Muhammad was disgusted with the sight of blood, the wounding, the dismemberment, and all the needless killing. "Oh, how terrible," he thought, "to waste all those lives, to orphan so many children, and to break so many families."  It pained him very much to see many men fall wounded, many suffer severely, while others lay killed.  Some women were crying hard and wailing, and loudly so, because their sons or husbands were wounded or killed. "This is senseless, senseless," Muhammad thought to himself in disgust.

      However, being as observant as he was, he gathered a good deal of information about the tactics of war in those days.  He could learn a lot from simply being there observing.  It was

a form of education for Muhammad.

THE LEAGUE OF FUDUL 

      Because many people were wounded or killed in the Fujjar war every year, a number of people wanted to stop such nonsense in the future.  As a result, a special gathering was arranged.  Muhammad and others came to the gathering which was held in the house of Gad'an.  Muhammad, being the youngest at only fifteen, along with a group of older people, were to take an oath, called the League of Fudul to fulfill the following:

1. To help the poor and the needy,

2. To protect the weak and to secure their rights from the tyrants,

3. To assist the oppressed, and

4. To try their best to establish peace and harmony among the people."

MUHAMMAD AS A YOUNG MAN 

      Muhammad was of medium height, with a fair complexion, and with slightly curly black hair and beard.  He had a broad forehead, and dark wide eyes, with long eyelash­es.  His eyebrows were full, nose well proportioned, cheeks firm, and when he smiled he showed very white teeth.  Muhammad allowed his beard to grow, but he trimmed his mous­tache.  He was broad shouldered and muscular.  When he walked he walked firmly and his steps were steadfast.  He dressed very simply, and his clothes were immaculately clean.

      He was just as clean cut in appearance as he was superb in his conduct.  Thus, he was known to be charming, attractive, well‑loved, respected, very highly appreciated and trusted.  To others, Muhammad was far, far ahead as the model, the one who was very much in the lead, the perfection that cannot be duplicated.

      His reputation as a man who was fair, honest, and with superb conduct became well known.  He always spoke the truth, he was always dependable, and he always fulfilled his promises.  His honesty was beyond suspicion and to such an extent that he earned the nick-name of "Al‑Saadiq Al‑Amin" which means:  The Truthful, The Trustworthy.  This was an honor given to nobody before in Mecca or Arabia.  Muhammad acted and behaved as his very nature demanded and it was very difficult, if not impossible for him to be any other way.  His very nature was that of a man of the highest integrity.

A SECOND TRIP TO SYRIA 

      Khadija was a highly respected lady, widowed for the second time.  Forty years old and well‑to‑do, she needed an agent to take her caravan of merchandise to Syria.

      Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle, went to Khadija and in a tactful way suggested that Muhammad be the agent responsible for that caravan.  Muhammad by then was about twenty‑four years old or so, and he had won the admiration of everyone because of his absolute and strict honesty, among his other qualities.  His dealing had always been profitable, and his honesty had never been questioned.

      Khadija agreed to Abu Talib's request right away, and Muhammad was to be her agent, in charge of her new caravan.  Muhammad's good reputation had come to her ears many times before, and she was delighted to employ him this time.  Abu Talib was pleased with the result, and he told his nephew Muhammad about the agreement, and both felt very pleased.

HE IS IN CHARGE 

      The caravan consisted of a long line of camels, all laden with heavy merchandise, heading toward Syria.  Muhammad was the man in charge, accompanied by Maysara, the servant of Khadija.

      The march was slow but steady, and it brought back beautiful memories to Muhammad.  Muhammad familiarized himself with different places for the second time, the different stops, the hills, valleys, and oases along the long route of travel, until they reached the rich land of Syria.  Memories came back, sweet memories of the wonders of nights and days of the desert and the lush green of Syria.

      Muhammad and Maysara became close friends.  Maysara was surprised to see himself (being only a servant) treated as an equal by Muhammad.  The friendship between the two began on a firm footing and it grew warmer and warmer every day.  They liked each other and became good friends.

      In Syria, the honesty of Muhammad was the biggest surprise to all.  To the surprise of any interested buyer, Muhammad revealed the good as well as the bad points of the items he was selling!!  This was unheard of before—a point indicating extreme honesty.  Muhammad also asked for a fair price, a price satisfactory to both sides.  No one before had ever heard of such dealings, nor of such straight-forward, honest information.  To the delight of all, every item of the merchandise was sold, fast and at a good profit.  Muhammad and his crew began to prepare to go back to Mecca.

KHADIJA IS WAITING 

      Khadija had been investigating Muhammad thoroughly.  It was confirmed to her:

1. that he was the noblest of men,

2. that he never was in a fight,

3. that never was he heard to say one bad word,

4. that he never told a lie or broke a promise,

5. that he never talked behind someone's back, and

6. he never hurt the feelings of anyone.

      She had heard also that he was always just in his dealings, fair to everyone, and that he was so straightforward and honest that he was nick‑named Al Saadiq Al Amin!

      Khadija wondered that being so noble and such a great man, why he had not yet gotten married?  She had the idea that somehow she might become his wife but she said, "Oh no, not me, he is fifteen years younger than I and it doesn't seem proper for us to marry!"

MUHAMMAD RETURNS 

      While in Syria, Muhammad bought things that he thought Khadija liked to have, and other things which she had previously asked him to buy for her.  The friendship between Muhammad and Maysara continued to grow stronger.  They talked, joked, and enjoyed each other's company.  This was in spite of the fact that Maysara was a mere servant and Muhammad was the boss, the person in charge of the caravan.  Such a relationship was unheard of before, back then.

      Upon arriving in Mecca, Muhammad was the first to see Khadija.  It was noontime, Khadija was waiting at the terrace, she rushed to meet Muhammad.  He was captivating, soft‑spoken and gentle, and he told her the details of the trip.  Khadija was listening attentively and she was quite pleased.  They completed the deal and Muhammad said goodbye and left.

      Khadija kept hearing from her servant, Maysara about Muhammad and how wonderful and noble he was, how marvelous a companion he was.  Maysara kept telling her over and over again all about the many wonderful experiences he and Muhammad (pbuh) had on the long trip to Syria and back.

MUHAMMAD BECOMES A HUSBAND 

      Khadija's admiration for Muhammad grew and her affec­tion for him became obvious to her.  She told her closest friend, Nafisa, about her deep admiration and affection for Muhammad.  Nafisa offered her services as a go‑between, that is to say, she would go to Muhammad to see if marriage could be arranged between the two.  Her offer was graciously accepted by Khadija.  Now it remained to be seen if Muhammad would accept.

      Nafisa visited Muhammad, and after a while she asked him what kept him from marrying.  Muhammad had a smile on his face then said, "What have I to marry with?" meaning I don't have the money or the wealth.  "But if wealth did not matter, and you were invited to marry a woman with beauty, nobility and wealth, what would you say?" Nafisa asked Muhammad again, having an inquisitive look on her face.  Muhammad was puzzled; he wondered who that woman was, being noble and beautiful.  He did not suspect that Khadija was interested.  So he asked, "Who is she?"

      Nafisa answered with a whisper, "Khadija."

      Muhammad was at first taken by surprise but he thought it would be very good to marry Khadija, since she was well known in Mecca for being noble, decent, and a wonderful woman.  So he answered without hesitation, "I accept."  Muhammad had admired and respected the woman and he never hesitated to marry her even though she was fifteen years older than he.

      Khadija had been married twice before, and her previous husbands had died and left her wealthy.  After that, she was asked in marriage several times, not only by the noblest but also by the most reputed of the Quraish tribe, but she refused.  Now, her heart was captivated by Muhammad and she wanted to marry him. 

QUESTIONS 

1. When he was 12 years old, Muhammad had a long interesting journey.  Where was that journey to?

2. On the trip to Syria, who was in the company of the twelve year old Muhammad (pbuh) to teach him about the work of a caravan?

3. On their way to Syria, Muhammad had an interesting experience with a monk.  What did the monk ask for?

4. What did the monk predict about Muhammad?

5. What is the name of the monk who saw the twelve year old Muhammad?

6. What kind of recommendations did the monk give Abu Talib in regard to Muhammad?

7. Did Abu Talib take the monk's recommendations seriously?

8. When he was fifteen years old, Muhammad witnessed Fujjar War.  How did he participate in that war?

9. What did Muhammad (pbuh) do in the Fujjar War?

10. After the Fujjar War, the dignitaries wanted to stop all killing.  League of Fudul was the result.  Who was the youngest member of the participants?

11. What points of agreement did the League of Fudul lead to?

12. Describe the looks of Muhammad (pbuh) when he was a young man.

13. What was the reputation of Muhammad when he was a young man?

14. When a young man, was Muhammad (pbuh) known to be very fair and honest, what does that mean to you?

15. Why did people trust Muhammad (pbuh) with their valuables?

16. Because of his trustworthiness, what did the people nick name Muhammad?

17. What does Al-Saadiq Al-Amin mean?

18. Do you know of any friend of yours who can be trusted with all your valuables?

19. As a young man, Muhammad (pbuh) tended to the sheep to help his uncle.  How did he feel about this career?

20. Khadija had a caravan to go to Syria.  Why did she ask Muhammad (pbuh) to be in charge of the caravan?

21. How old was Muhammad (pbuh) when he went to Syria the second time?

22. How did Muhammad (pbuh) conduct the trip to Syria?

23. Muhammad (pbuh) and Maysara became good friends; why was this unusual?  What did Maysara do when Muhammad (pbuh) was back in Mecca from the trip to Syria?

24. How profitable was Muhammad's second trip to Syria?  Why do you think it was?

25. What impressed Khadija so much about Muhammad?

26. Khadija was asked in marriage several times before, but she refused.  Why did she now want to marry Muhammad?

27. What did Khadija see in Muhammad to love?

28. Who is Nafisa?

29. How did Nafisa approach Muhammad (pbuh) in regard to Khadija?

30. How many years was Khadija older than Muhammad (pbuh)?