My dear children!

The people of Mecca engaged in business in two ways:

1. Through trade.
2. By raising livestock (sheep, goats, cows, and camels).

Most people were traders in the family of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (Peace Be Upon Him). His uncle, Abu Talib, was also a trader, and the Prophet went on several business trips with him in His childhood.

It was customary in Arabia for people to entrust their goods to an experienced and trustworthy person. That person would take their goods to other cities to sell them and would share in the profit.

When Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (Peace Be Upon Him) grew older, He also engaged in business. He was known as “Al-Amin” (the Trustworthy) and “Al-Sadiq” (the Truthful) and was faithful to his promises. He was honest in His accounts, never spending a single penny unnecessarily. He never cheated anyone or misled them about his goods. He would point out any flaws in the merchandise.

His good character had such an impact that the people of Mecca called him Al-Sadiq and Al-Amin and would entrust their belongings to him.

Sahabi Sa’ib (may Allah be pleased with him) used to trade with Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (Peace Be Upon Him). After a long time, he came to the Prophet, who said to him, “Sa’ib! Do you recognize me?”

Sa’ib replied, “Of course! You were my best business partner. You never delayed or argued about anything.”

Whenever Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (Peace Be Upon Him) would set out on a trade journey, other merchants in Mecca wished that He would take their goods with Him. One of these merchants was a woman, Khadijah Razi Allahu Anha (may Allah be pleased with Her).

Khadijah Razi Allahu Anha was a virtuous, kind, and intelligent trader from a noble family. Her business was extensively broad.

When Khadijah heard of Prophet Muhammad’s Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (Peace Be Upon Him) noble character, she sent a message to him, saying that if He would take her goods on a journey, she would offer Him double the profit she gave others.

Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (Peace Be Upon Him), after consulting with His uncle Abu Talib, accepted the offer and, after finalizing the business arrangements, set out on the journey. On this trip, He made a significant profit.