9. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Hassan from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir who has said the following: “When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم decided to marry Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid, Abu Talib with his family and certain individuals of Quraysh went to the house of Waraqah ibn Nawfal, uncle of Khadijah. Abu Talib began speaking and said, ‘All praise belongs to the Lord of this House, (al-Ka’bah) who has made us of the offspring of Ibrahim and Isma’il and has given us accommodation in the secure sanctuary, has made us judges for people and has blessed for us our land in which we live. The son of my brother, this one (meaning the Messenger of Allah, صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) is as such that he cannot be compared with any man from Quraysh, He is above them and he is greater (in excellence) than whomever he is compared with. There is no one as his equal among the creatures even though he is not wealthy because wealth is a favor (from Allah) that comes and goes. He is interested in Khadijah and she is interested in him and we have come to you to propose (on his behalf) marriage (to Khadijah) if she agrees. Her order and mahr (dower) for her is on my assets of whatever amount you ask for advance payment and on credit. His share (the share of the Messenger of Allah) by the Lord of this House is great, his religion is publicly known and his opinion is perfect.’
Abu Talib then remained quiet and her uncle began to speak but he stuttered and could not give complete answer to Abu Talib, his words became disconnected and he was overwhelmed. He was a clergyman. Khadijah then began saying, ‘Uncle, even though you are my guardian in public, I have more control of myself. O Muhammad, I have given myself in marriage to you and mahr (dower) is on me from my assets. Ask your uncle to slaughter a camel for the wedding ceremony and you can join your family (wife).’ Abu Talib then said, ‘O people, bear witness to her accepting Muhammad (as her husband) and her taking responsibility of mahr (dower) from her wealth.’ A certain person from Quraysh said, ‘This is strange. Mahr (dower) is paid by women for men! ’ It made Abu Talib very much upset and he stood up on his feet. People feared his anger and he said, ‘If they were like the son of my brother such people are sought with the highest price and the greatest amount of mahr (dower), and if they are of the like of your kind they cannot marry without paying a large amount for mahr (dower).’ Abu Talib slaughtered a she-camel for the wedding ceremony and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم joined his family (wife).
A man from Quraysh, called ‘Abd Allah ibn Ghanm, composed the following lines: ‘Congratulations and blessings! O Khadijah, the bird (of your good luck) has flown for you to the one happier than you. You have married the best of all the people. There is no one among people like Muhammad (in excellence). Happy news about him was given to all people by Jesus son of Mary as well as by Moses, son of ‘Imran and how close the promised time is! Writers of long ago in time had determined that from al-Batha there will come a messenger (of Allah) for guidance well guided.’”