Islamic Business Women : Khadijah's Entrepreneurship

Islamic Business Women : Khadijah's Entrepreneurship

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (Arabic: خديجة بنت خويلد)‎ (555 - 619) was the first wife of the Muhammad, an Islamic prophet. Her nickname was Khadijah al-Kubra. She was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn Asad and Fatimah bint Za'idah. Khadijah is widely known as the first person to convert to Islam. Khadijah was known as "The morher of the mothers of the faithful".

Success story of Khadijah’s business start when post-divorce with her husband. Khadijah devote all attention to raising her children, and building a business that he inherited from his father. With capital acumen and business skills, Khadija was able to make a great effort most business among the Quraysh. Khadijah acting as a successful single parent. His name is very well known in kalagan Quraish as a wealthy businessman woman.

In the next phase of a business trip to investors met with Khadijah Muhammad, a young man who earned the nickname Al-Amin (very trustworthy man) who later helped develop the business. One day, the queen businesses heard about the young man who was very reliable in the Arab world, he was the Prophet Muhammad. Interested in making him their employees, Khadija was called.

"I'm calling you based on what I've heard from people about the words you are honest, you are a reliable integrity, and your noble character. I chose you to handle the affairs of the trade and I'll pay you double what you give to other than your usual, "Khadija said to the Prophet. Nabiyullah Khadijah Muhammad had accepted the offer gladly.

Khadijah was sent the Prophet as the leader of the caravan to the land of Sham. A slave named Khadijah confidence Maysarah also participate in the caravan. In that way, a Jewish monk who is known to have a broad knowledge of religion, Nestora asked Maysarah, who the leader of the caravan that he participated in it.

Maysarah also preach about the reputation of the Prophet, known honest and intelligent. Nestora then say that the person is a prophet sent from God will.

All Maysarah experience in following the Prophet caravan was rumored to Khadijah. Maysarah even said saw two angels carrying a cloud over the head of the prophet to protect him from the scorching sun. Khadijah began personally fascinated with the Prophet. Especially after knowing the results of the trade Al-Amin.

Khadijah business in the greater Sham country, the resulting profit rose sharply. Decision Khadijah chose Muhammad as the right-hand business into the right decision. He also continues to partner with the Prophet in running the business.In the past business success along with Muhammad SAW. Khadijah keen to marry the Prophet. Finally at the age of 40 years while Khadijah Prophet they also married 25-year-old. The age difference does not hamper the marriage. Both of them a happy life.

They both managed to build a business on the basis of fairness and generosity. Once married to Muhammad, Khadija submit all trade matters and financial management to her famous husband intelligent and honest. She also supports her husband to give alms to the poor and help those affected by misfortune.

Property in the hands of Muhammad always grow as much as he sedekahkan. Of course the character and Khadijah decision was part of God's plan for the Great One.

Khadijah even willing to give her fortune to uphold religious preaching God. He is even willing to live in poverty with the Prophet after his money runs out for the sake of propaganda. Khadijah always accompany the Prophet struggle until death claimed his life. Khadijah died in Makkah in the month of Ramadan beginning of the tenth year of Prophethood.   
Entrepreneurship In Islam

The concept of entrepreneur had been taught by the Prophet, long time ago before he became the Prophet. The Prophet started his business when he was 12 years old by buying goods from the market and selling them to other people in order to get profits. Together with his uncle, the Prophet had a business trip to Syria. Islam categorizes entrepreneurship and trade into mu’amalah meaning that the issues are related to horizontal relationship among humans which will be responsibly adjudicated in the afterlife. Mankind is mandated to prosper the earth and lead it to the right directions also to strive in earning and making a living. The Holy Qur’an cited the entrepreneurial spirit in the verses as follow (Ade Suyitno, 2013):

QS.Al-Mulk:15, meaning:
“He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it); so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection.”

Islam encourages its people to be an entrepreneur. There are a number of verses or hadiths which encourage Muslims to be an entrepreneur, such as the importance of trading which is stated in a hadith: “Beheld trading by all of, in trading there 9 out of 10 doors that will lead to the welfare.(HR. Ahmad). 

And then, the Prophet had ever been asked by his followers: ”What is the best occupation?”He answered“a people works with his hand in trading and honest.”(HR. Al Bazzar). Therefore, “..Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salât (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allâh (by working, etc.), and remember Allâh much: that you may be successful.”
(QS. al-Jumu’ah: 10).

Positive correlation of women and earnings is an clear message of the Holy Quran which is quoted below:

“Men shall have a benefit from what they earn, and women shall have a benefit from what they earn.” (Surah An- Nisa: Ayat 32)

Women companions of the Prophet participated in all these activities with his approval. Today also muslim women entrepreneurs are becoming more important players in entrepreneurial landscape. The muslim community should be recognize this fact that Islamic guidelines set the best rules and boundary for business and economic conducts which is absent in any other system, so they should strive to facilitate women in Islamic education to avail of the opportunities provided by Allah (SWT). If the Islamic guidelines are strictly followed the muslims will insha’ Allah regain the past glory of the Ummah (Ullah Maruf et all, 2013)

Towards the return of the golden period of Islamic civilization must be built from a variety of fields. The decline of Islam in various fields, especially economics in developing countries is an important concern. One solution is in the world of business and entrepreneurship. women have a strategic role in the development of entrepreneurship as a creative, neat and meticulous. Entrepreneurship be a good profession for women because they can work at home and productive than working in the company. Women worked as a support level is not the main obligation. Muslim women are creative, productive and able to run the household duties well be one of generators progress of Islam, especially Muslim women can teach the values ​​of Islam on his entrepreneurship.

References :

Antonio. 2007. Muhammad: Super Leader Super Manager. LM pro-Jakarta

Republika Online. http://republika.co.id/

Suyitno Ade. 2013. Islamic Entrepreneurship Education. PCIM Rusia

Ullah Maruf et all. 2013. Women Entrepreneurship: Islamic Perspective. Special Issue: Islamic Management and Business. Www.iisti.org
Wikipedia