Chapter Six

1  Now, Muhammed continued to grow successfully, and he was known for his fairness and trust.  Now, one day, he heard a rumor that disturbed him.  There was a widower in the city, a supplier of caravans who was doing quite well, and other merchants had become jealous of her because she was a woman, and outdid them.  And they had arranged with all the makers of goods, not to sell to her, so she could not get the supplies she needed, making excuses that her credit was no good, and such. And when Muhammed heard this, he was extremely angry!
2  And he went secretly to the woman, whose name was Khadija.  "I am angry over what is being done to you," he explained.  "These merchants need to be taught a lesson they will not soon forget.  The suppliers will not sell to you, but they will sell to me.  Let me buy for you, then you sell to the caravans at the cost of our purchase, telling them you are doing so in gratitude for them doing business with you, that you got a good buy on these provisions, and are passing it along to them.  The other merchants will be stuck with their merchandise. I will then go to them and offer to buy it at a loss to them.  We will then sell the goods at the regular price, and make a substantial profit."
3  "You are a scoundrel!"  the woman remarked.  "But I like your way, and I would muchly like to get back at these merchants.  Let us try your plan!"
4  Now, Muhammed's plan worked beautifully.  He and Khadija made substantial profits.  When the other merchants found out what they had done they went to the city leaders in great bitterness.  But the city leaders said to them "You were caught in your own scheming, you were outwitted by this woman.  You deserve your fate!"
5  But Muhammed was not a cruel man.  He loaned money to several of them so they could regain their business.  He believed the lesson had been learned, and they would not try such scheming again, knowing he was watching them, and was ready to outwit them again.
6  Now, Khadija saw no sense in ending her relationship with Muhammed.  He brought her good profits.  People trusted him.  Working together they made far more than they made separately!  Muhammed was constantly at her house, and her children adored him.  Her son even began to call him father, which did not displease Muhammed.
7  One evening as Muhammed was about to leave, Khadija spoke boldly.  "Do you have to leave?"  she asked.  "My bed is cold.  It has been a long time since a man warmed it."
8  Muhammed thought for a moment, and decided there was no reason for him to leave at all!  A short time later he took Khadija for his wife, and many made much of it.  For he was so much younger than her.  But most saw their great love and knew it was a thing of joy.
9  There was one merchant, however, in the city, that did more than make jest of it in private.  He made mention of it in the marketplace before his business, almost daily, soon making it the joke of Mecca, saying that because Muhammed's wife was so old, they had to be intimate in other ways besides the normal way.
10  Now, to so anger Muhammed was not a wise thing to do.  Word of what was happening soon reached him, and Muhammed disguised himself and went down to the marketplace, and waited.  And when the man began to tell his tales and had the crowd aroused, Muhammed threw off his disguise and was upon him with a fury!  And the two men fought viciously in the market, til people were running to and fro to escape the melee!
11  The man had two burly servants who tried to help him, but Muhammed threw these aside like they were children's dolls!  But when more merchants arrived, with thoughts of beating Muhammed, some of those who had fought the bandits with him joined into the fight and it became a real melee.
12  Soldiers arrived, and had to put a stop to it.  And they were brought before the leader of the city, and an explanation was demanded.  Muhammed explained why he had attacked the man, and the man admitted he was doing what Muhammed complained of. "Well!"  the leader of the city remarked, "I will not make you pay restitution to Muhammed, for he has already taken restitution in his own manner, and, quite well, I might add!  But there will be no more remarks in public about him and his wife, or I will not only fine you, but I will have you publicly flogged!  And as for you, Muhammed, in this you were justified.  I will not punish you.  But mind your temper in the future.  Now go!  You have given the people quite an amusement, but no more of it!"
13  Now all departed, but there was yet another reason that Muhammed and the merchants of Mecca were not on good terms.  For now he had beaten one of their own, and many of them did not look upon him with favor.
14  Now, Khadija and Muhammed had four daughters, and a son that was born dead. She told him she was disappointed that she had given him no son.  But he said "We already have a fine son!  And these daughters are my joy.  No man could be happier."  And they were contented, as their wealth grew.  Muhammed surrounded himself with good friends, and he was well respected in the city.  There was talk that someday he might be its leader, talk certain merchants did not like, but none dared speak against Muhammed because of his temper, and because of the way the people loved him.

Page 8

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