MUHAMMAD'S  FIRST MARRIAGE

Khadija, A Rich Widow of Mecca
When Muhammad reach his twenty-fifth year, his uncle, Abu Talib, recommended that he enter the service of Khadija, a rich widow merchant of Mecca.  He accompanied her trading caravan as far as Syria.  Khadija was so pleased with him that on his return, she offered to marry him.  Muhammad agreed, although she was forty years of age and had been twice married before.  She bore him two sons and four daughters.  Both sons died in infancy.  Muhammad loved her faithfully until her death.

His Personal Appearance
   As an adult, Muhammad was somewhat above middle height, with a lean but commanding figure.  His head was massive, with a broad and noble forehead,  He had thick black hair, slightly curling, which hung over his ears; his eyes were large, black and piercing; his eyebrows arched and joined; his nose high and acquiline; and he had a long. Bushy beard.  When he was excited, the veins would swell across his forehead.  His eyes were often bloodshot and always restless.  Decision marked his every movement.  He used to walk so rapidly that his followers half-ran behind him and could hardly keep up with him.

'Ayisha'a Evaluation of Muhammed
'Ayisha, the youngest of his eleven wives, said,

He was a man just such as yourselves; he laughed often and smiled much.  At home he would mend his clothes and cobble his shoes.  He used to help me in my household duties; but what he did oftenest was to sew.  He used to eat with his thumb and two fore-fingers; and when he had done, he would lick them, beginning with the middle finger.  He had a special liking for sweetmeats and honey.  He was also fond of cucumbers and undried dates.  When a lamb or kid was being cooked, Muhammad would go to the pot, take out the shoulder; and eat it.  He never travelled without a toothpick.

'Aysha used to say that the prophet loved three things--women, scents, and food.
   Muhammand at one time was very poor, but prospered later in life.  He had twenty milch camels; yielding two large skinsful of milk every evening.  He also had seven goats.  He would say, "There is no house possessing a goat but a blessing abideth thereon; and there is no house possessing three goats but the angels pass the night there praying for its inmates until the morning.