Lady Khadijah (SA), a well-known businesswoman in Mecca, was looking for a knowledgeable and trustworthy man to lead her trading caravan to other cities. Abu-Talib suggested to the Prophet to work for Lady Khadijah, and he accepted. After the Prophet began working for Lady Khadijah, she too witnessed the honesty and reliability of the Prophet, for which he was famous in society. She had appointed her slave to accompany the Prophet on his business trips. Her slave would share with Lady Khadijah his observations on the Prophet, which caused Lady Khadijah to admire the Prophet’s character. Lady Khadijah then sent someone to inform the Prophet about her interest in him and proposed marriage. When the Prophet decided to marry Lady Khadijah, he informed his uncle Abu-Talib about his decision and asked him to propose to her on his behalf. Abu-Talib, as an elder and the Prophet’s guardian, happily proposed this marriage by delivering a powerful sermon. Unlike the Arabs who would begin their speech with the names of their idols, Abu-Talib praised God and proudly mentioned his forefathers, Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail. He then praised the Prophet, saying that no other man is comparable to his nephew Muhammad, and he is better than everyone. He concluded his sermon with a sentence that showed his knowledge of the upcoming prophethood of his nephew. He swore by God that there will indeed be great news and elevated status for Muhammad in the future. Abu-Talib also sacrificed a camel and provided a feast for the guests in the Prophet’s wedding.
