Khadijah bint Khuwaylid had inherited a large fortune and would invest in trade caravans to Syria. She would employ representatives to trade on her behalf in Syria and then bring back the profits for a fee. Naturally this level of autonomy lead to some of these representatives concealing profits, hence Khadijah was very keen to send her servant Maysarah to Muhammad to offer him employment when she heard of his reputation as 'al-Ameen (the trustworthy)'. He accepted the offer and went to Syria to trade on her behalf. He showed intelligence and initiative by using the profits to purchase more goods for trade in Makkah upon his return, thereby producing double profit. Khadijah was so impressed by Muhammad's character that she proposed marriage to him; when he was twenty-five and she was around forty.

The prophet had lived with his wife Khadijah in profound harmony for twenty-five years, and she had been not only his wife but also his intimate friend, his wise counsellor, and mother to his whole household including 'Ali & Zayd. She accepted Islam as soon as the Prophet informed her of it, perhaps becoming the first convert to Islam. Her support, both emotional and financial, of the Prophet in the early days of Islam was second to none. It was Khadijah who would comfort the Prophet when he become overwhelmed with revelations. She was the first person to hear verses from the Qur'an, the first to consequently recite it, and the first person to learn how to pray. When she past away his four daughters were overcome with grief, but he was able to comfort them by telling them that Gabriel had once come to him and told him to give Khadijah greetings of Peace from her Lord and to tell her that He had prepared for her an abode in Paradise- such is the lofty status of Khadijah.