Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
2. The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
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Before the prophethood, Muhammad, may peace be upon him,
was engaged in trading. Abdullah bin Abi al-Hamsa said:
“I had transacted some business with Muhammad, may
peace be upon him, in those days and owed him
money. I asked him to wait till I brought the required
sum. When I reached home, I completely forgot about
it. I remembered three days later and rushed to the
spot where I had left Muhammad, may peace be upon
him. He was there waiting for me.”
He did not upbraid me. All he said was ‘You caused
me a great deal of inconvenience. I have been waiting
for you here for the last three days.’ (Ibn Ishaq)
Abdullah bin Saib said that during the days of Ignorance, he
was a partner in trade with Muhammad, may peace be upon him.
Much later he went to Madinah and met him. Muhammad, may
peace be upon him, said, “Do you recognise me?” He said,
“Indeed, you were my partner in trade. And what a wonderful
partner you were! You never indulged in deceit or quarrels.”
Even before his prophethood, Muhammad used to shun
polytheism, idolatry and rude behaviour. During his second journey
to Syria, a dispute arose between Muhammad and a man in the
course of a transaction. The man said:
“I will accept your words if you swear in the names of
Lat and Uzza. (The two of three main idols worshipped
in Makkah, mentioned in the Quran 53:19-20).
