By Dr. Faizur Rehman
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (R.A) is regarded as one of the most distinguished and dignified figures of Meccan society, who attained a remarkable position not only through her wealth but also through her exceptional insight, superior trade acumen, and social stature. She stands in history not only as an esteemed figure in Islam but also as a role model whose life offers a dominant lesson for girls and women in the modern era, especially in business and management.According to a tradition, one of her trade caravans was once attacked within the tribal territories of Quraysh, resulting in significant financial loss. Following this incident, she sought the support of Abu Talib, the tribal chieftain of Quraysh, a respected leader in Mecca and instrumental in supporting young Muhammad during the early period of Islam.
Abu Talib not only assured the protection of the caravans but also convened various tribes and urged them to refrain from acts of plunder. However, the tribes asserted that raiding caravans was a primary means of their livelihood.Given that the prevailing economic system was based on barter (exchange of goods for goods), Abu Talib devised a remarkably insightful economic strategy. He advised the tribes to contribute their surplus goods to Khadijah’s trading caravans, thereby becoming stakeholders in the commercial enterprise.This collaborative arrangement effectively aligned the tribes’ economic interests with the safety of the caravans. Consequently, when the caravan returned safely from Syria, not only Khadijah but all participating traders earned substantial profits. Thus, Abu Talib’s economic foresight not only ensured peace but also promoted trade through collective interest.
In response to the extraordinary profits, Khadijah expressed her gratitude by offering Abu Talib a share, which he declined. When she asked how she might reciprocate, he mentioned his nephew, Muhammad, an orphan at the time, and proposed marriage. Khadijah graciously accepted—an event that later marked the foundation of a profound transformation in human history and reshaped intellectual and moral paradigms.Two key points emerge from this narrative. First, if women such as Khadijah could independently conduct trade and manage extensive commercial networks, it indicates that women in Arab society possessed a certain degree of economic autonomy and social influence. This raises a critical question: how could such a society simultaneously practice the brutal custom of burying infant girls alive? Could these contradictory behaviours coexist?A comprehensive answer to this complex issue undoubtedly requires scholarly religious interpretation. However, Jawaharlal Nehru, in his notable work The Discovery of India, suggests that Muslim historians have portrayed Arab society and its social values in a somewhat one-dimensional manner.Second, Abu Talib’s initiative as a tribal leader to incorporate all stakeholders into the trading process reflects principles strikingly aligned with modern economic thought. His decision was grounded in equitable distribution of resources, partnership, and collective benefit. It not only ensured peace but also stimulated economic activity.
A similar concept was articulated by the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher, in her historic address to the Conservative Party Conference on September 8, 1975. She emphasized that “states are not made wealthy by their natural resources, but by policies,” highlighting that prosperity depends on encouraging human creativity, initiative, and entrepreneurial spirit. She argued that societies progress when individuals are empowered to strive for a better life for their families.Citing examples such as Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Switzerland, she underscored that the rule of law, effective policymaking, and encouragement of human potential form the foundation of sustainable development. The continued progress of these nations demonstrates that alongside sound governance, the consistent enforcement of law directs state institutions toward constructive outcomes.
Conversely, those societies where the rule of law does not prevail, power and resources are concentrated in the hands of a limited elite, and the public interest is neglected, tend to experience deep and persistent challenges across multiple dimensions. In such environments, wealth and opportunities remain confined to a privileged minority, while the majority faces economic hardship, resulting in a pronounced and widening gap between rich and poor.Likewise, in the absence of strong legal accountability, corruption becomes widespread across government, business, and public institutions, with decisions often driven by personal gain rather than the collective good.
As a consequence, courts, law enforcement agencies, and public services gradually lose their credibility, leading to a decline in public trust due to the uneven application of laws.This lack of fairness and transparency discourages investment and entrepreneurial activity, thereby slowing innovation and hindering economic growth. At the same time, when people feel marginalized and unjustly treated, frustration intensifies, often culminating in social unrest, protests, and, in extreme cases, conflict or violence.
