Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid are extraordinary role models in managing a business with ethics deeply rooted in Islamic values. From the beginning of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ career as a merchant to Khadijah’s role as a successful entrepreneur, their story offers many valuable lessons for modern entrepreneurs. Their success wasn’t merely due to their business skills but also because of the moral and ethical values they upheld.
This article will reveal the 6 secrets of success that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Khadijah applied in managing their business, along with real-life stories from the Sirah Nabawiyah (Prophetic Biography) that demonstrate how these values were practiced in reality.
1. Honesty: The Foundation of Trade
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was known as “Al-Amin,” which means “the trustworthy.” Even before his prophethood, he was renowned among the Quraysh for his honesty in business. One notable story is when he worked for Khadijah. During a trade expedition to Syria on behalf of Khadijah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was always honest in reporting the profits, even if it meant reporting more profit than expected.
In the trade journey to Syria, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, accompanied by Khadijah’s servant Maisarah, earned significant profits. Maisarah witnessed firsthand how the Prophet ﷺ treated everyone with fairness and honesty, whether they were buyers or sellers. When Khadijah heard this report, she was deeply impressed, which ultimately became one of the factors leading her to propose marriage to the Prophet ﷺ.
Honesty is the foundation of a sustainable business. In all transactions, integrity must be maintained. Honesty is not just a matter of morality but also about building long-term trust with business partners and customers.
2. Trustworthiness: Fulfilling Responsibilities with Integrity
When Khadijah chose Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to manage her business, she fully entrusted him with all the responsibilities. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ executed every task with utmost trustworthiness, never betraying the trust placed in him. He always ensured that everyone’s rights were fulfilled and never abused his position of responsibility.
After Prophet Muhammad ﷺ returned to Mecca from a successful business trip, Khadijah received reports that all the goods had been sold with considerable profit. Even though the profits far exceeded expectations, the Prophet ﷺ did not take more than what had been agreed upon, showcasing his profound sense of responsibility towards the trust given to him.
Trustworthiness in business means fulfilling responsibilities with complete honesty and maintaining integrity in every aspect, including managing money, time, and other resources.
3. Hard Work and Perseverance: Overcoming Challenges
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not someone who relied solely on luck. He was directly involved in the trading, traveling long distances from Mecca to Syria, crossing scorching deserts fraught with risks. His perseverance and hard work ensured that Khadijah’s business continued to grow and prosper.
The journey from Mecca to Syria was not easy and was filled with physical and mental challenges. However, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ remained diligent and focused on his task, ensuring that all the goods were sold at fair prices. While others might have given up in the face of difficulties, the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated that hard work and perseverance are the keys to achieving success.
Success in business requires hard work, patience, and perseverance. There are no shortcuts to success; only through consistent effort and determination can a business thrive and grow.
4. Justice: Fair Transactions for All Parties
One of the critical principles taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in business is justice. He always ensured that every transaction was conducted fairly, without harming any party involved. The Prophet ﷺ did not only focus on his own profits but also considered the welfare of others involved in the transaction.
In every transaction, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always offered fair prices, never inflating them unfairly or exploiting the situation. One famous story is that when he conducted trade, he always ensured that the scales used were accurate and free from manipulation, while maintaining good character during the transaction. This is in line with a hadith where the Prophet ﷺ said:
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “May Allah have mercy on the one who is lenient in buying, selling, and in demanding back his money.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2076)
Justice is a principle that must be applied in every business transaction. All parties should receive their due rights, and there should be no exploitation or deception.
5. Collaboration and Support: The Power of Partnership
The partnership between Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Khadijah is a perfect example of successful collaboration. Khadijah fully entrusted the Prophet ﷺ to run her business, and the Prophet ﷺ reciprocated this trust with remarkable success. Moreover, Khadijah’s moral support for the Prophet ﷺ, both as a wife and business partner, became a strong foundation for their success.
After marrying the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Khadijah continued to support him in all aspects of life, including business and personal matters. Khadijah’s unwavering support provided the mental and spiritual strength to Prophet ﷺ, enabling him to face various challenges in life and business. She is also well known in the sirah for her significant role in supporting the Prophet ﷺ during the early years of his prophethood, including sacrificing her wealth to support the Islamic mission.
Good support and collaboration are essential elements in business. Success is not determined by one individual alone but by a solid team that works together and supports each other.
6. Business with Pure Intentions and Blessings
Everything that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did was based on pure and sincere intentions. He did not engage in business solely for worldly wealth but also to seek blessings from Allah SWT. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ believed that businesses conducted with good intentions and in line with sharia would bring greater rewards in this world and the hereafter.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always reminded others to conduct business with good intentions and in accordance with Islamic teachings. This was evident when he refused any form of deceit in trading, even if it could bring more profit. He believed that blessings from Allah are far more valuable than mere material wealth.
Conducting business with pure intentions and seeking blessings is key to achieving lasting success. Good intentions attract blessings, while bad intentions lead only to loss in the long run.
Conclusion
The story of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Khadijah offers us six secrets of success in business: honesty, trustworthiness, hard work, justice, collaboration, and pure intentions. These values remain highly relevant to modern business life. By emulating these lessons, we can build businesses that are not only materially successful but also blessed and pleasing to Allah ﷻ.
References:
- Ibn Hisham, A. M. (2009). Sirah Nabawiyah Ibn Hisham (Vol. 1). Maktabah al-Manar al-Islamiyah.
- Mubarakpuri, S. R. (2002). Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar): Biography of the Noble Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Darussalam Publishers.
- Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 2076).
- Lings, M. (1983). Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources. George Allen & Unwin.
