Chapter on the Guardian, Witnesses, Proposal, and Dowry

When Abu Talib عليه السلام, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy upon him, arranged the marriage of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy upon her, after proposing to her through her father, or as some say, through her uncle. Abu Talib عليه السلام, stood by the doorposts, addressing the gathering of Quraysh who were present. Abu Talib عليه السلام began by praising Allah سبحانه وتعالى, saying: "All praise is due to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, who made us from the progeny of Ibrahim and the descendants of Isma'il, who established for us a sacred house that is frequented (by pilgrims) and a secure sanctuary to which the fruits of all things are brought. He سبحانه وتعالى has made us the rulers over the people in our land. My nephew, Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, cannot be compared to any man of Quraysh except that He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم surpasses them in virtue, nor can He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم be equated with anyone except that He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم holds greater honor than them. Though He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم may possess little wealth, wealth is merely a fleeting provision and a transient shade. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم has an interest in Khadijah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and she صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم has an interest in Him عليه السلام. The dowry, whether its immediate or deferred portion, will be paid from my wealth. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم holds a great position, a lofty status, and an eloquent and persuasive tongue." Following this address, Khadijah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was married to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم consummated the marriage the following day. The first child she صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم bore for Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was Abdullah ibn Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).