Prophet Muhammad SAW is widely known as the final messenger of Allah, but before his prophethood, he was a successful and honest merchant. His integrity and trustworthiness in business were well-recognized, earning him the respect of both his peers and business partners.
This article explores the earnings of Prophet Muhammad SAW while he worked for Siti Khadijah and the profound lessons we can extract from his life as a trader.
Early Trading Journey of Prophet Muhammad SAW
According to the book The Complete History of 25 Prophets by Rizem Aizid, Prophet Muhammad SAW embarked on his trading journey at the age of 12. He accompanied his uncle, Abu Talib, on a trading caravan to the region of Syria (known as Sham). This early experience marked the beginning of his involvement in trade, and he gradually built a reputation as a trustworthy and capable merchant.
As he matured, Prophet Muhammad SAW continued honing his trading skills. One significant moment in his trading career came when he crossed paths with Siti Khadijah, a wealthy and respected businesswoman in Mecca. Their meeting would change the course of his life, both personally and professionally, as she later became his wife.
How Prophet Muhammad Met Siti Khadijah
Siti Khadijah was seeking someone reliable to lead her trading caravan to Syria. At that time, Prophet Muhammad SAW had earned a reputation as a young man of exceptional honesty and integrity. This reputation reached Khadijah, and she decided to approach him with a business proposal.
In the book Khadijah: The True Love of the Prophet by Abdul Mun'im, it is noted that Khadijah was deeply impressed by Prophet Muhammad’s intelligence, politeness, and calm demeanor. After conversing with him, she felt confident that he was the right person to manage her trade business. Khadijah’s decision to trust Muhammad SAW was based on his impeccable character, making him the ideal candidate for her trading mission to Syria.
The Salary of Prophet Muhammad SAW While Working for Khadijah
Before finalizing their agreement, Khadijah made it clear that Prophet Muhammad SAW would be compensated more generously than anyone else from his community. Her reason for this was simple: his honesty and trustworthiness were invaluable assets to her business. According to the book Learning Business from Khadijah by Azti Arlina, she stated that he would receive double the usual wages paid to other traders at that time.
Ø£َÙ†َّ رَسُولَ اللّٰÙ‡ِ صَÙ„َّÙ‰ اللّٰÙ‡ُ عَÙ„َÙŠْÙ‡ِ ÙˆَسَÙ„َّÙ…َ Ù‚َالَ: "Ø£َجَرَÙ†ِÙŠ Ø®َدِيجَØ©ُ بِÙ†َتُ Ø®ُÙˆَÙŠْÙ„ِدَ جَÙ…َÙ„َÙŠْÙ†ِ"
Translation: "I conducted two trading journeys for Khadijah and received two she-camels as payment." (Jami' Shaghir)
Khadijah compensated Prophet Muhammad SAW with two adult she-camels for his trading efforts. Additionally, it is mentioned in the book Islamic Business Ethics by Dwi Santosa Pambudi that Khadijah sometimes gave Prophet Muhammad SAW camels as gifts for his successful trading expeditions. This generous compensation reflected Khadijah’s recognition of his unmatched honesty and skill in business.
The Lasting Impact of Prophet Muhammad SAW’s Business Ethics
The Prophet’s time as a trader offers valuable lessons in Islamic business ethics. His honesty, transparency, and fairness set a high standard for how Muslim entrepreneurs should conduct their business. Prophet Muhammad SAW’s trading practices highlight the importance of trust and integrity in fostering lasting business relationships.
Although the exact amount of his salary is not well-documented, the available accounts show that Khadijah held him in high regard, not just as a trader but also as a person of impeccable character. This emphasizes the timeless value of honesty and integrity in business, which remain crucial principles for successful Islamic commerce today.
Conclusion
Prophet Muhammad SAW’s life before prophethood, especially his role in the trade industry, offers profound lessons on ethical business practices. His work with Siti Khadijah demonstrates how honesty, trust, and transparency are the pillars of a successful business. The principles he lived by are still relevant in today’s business world, especially for those looking to practice commerce in accordance with Islamic values.
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