The trustworthiness, virtue, honesty and truthfulness of Rasulullah was praised by every tribe and individual in Makkah. His dignified character and sincerity had won the heart of Hazrat Khadeejah-binte-Khuwaylid (R.A.), who was pretty, rich, and widowed. Many noblemen of the Quraish desired to marry her. But she declined because she had developed great affection and respect for Rasulullah on account of his character.
Hazrat Khadeejah (R.A.) sent two of her friends, Aatikah-binte Abdul Muttalib and Nafeesh-binte-Ummayya, with a marriage proposal to Rasulullah. As a mark of respect, Rasulullah consulted his uncle Abu Taalib, and gladly accepted the proposal. Hazrat Khadeejah (R.A.) was forty years old and Rasulullah was twenty-five.
Abu Taalib gathered all heads of the tribes of Makkah and members of the Banu Hashim family and proceeded to the house of Hazrat Khadeejah (R.A.). A large assembly of friends and relatives of Hazrat Khadeejah (R.A.), including Umar-bin-Asad and Waraqah-bin-Nawfal awaited them.
Abu Taalib performed the Nikah and delivered the historical Nikah Khutbah (Sermon) which was noted for its praise of Rasulullah and of the high regard in which he was held by the elders of Makkah. Abu Taalib offered twenty camels as dowry for Hazrat Khadeejah. Waraqah-bin-Nawfal (R.A.) also delivered a Khutbah (Sermon).
Rasulullah had two sons, Qasim and Abdullah, both of whom passed away in childhood.They had four daughters, Zaynb (R.A.) Umme-kulthum (R.A.) Ruqayya (R.A.) and Faatimah (R.A.)
When Rasulullah reached the age of thirty-three, he developed a tendency to be alone and in deep thought. In the years that followed, he began to experience a Divine feeling and was drawn more towards the contemplation of the Allah.
Rasulullah resented the worship of idols and he denounced 'polytheism' (worship of more than one God). He abstained from eating food that had been offerings to the idols.
As Rasulullah's age neared forty years, he desired to be lonely and in solitude grew ever stronger. He avoided all worldly contacts and began to retire to the quite of the cave of Hira which was about five kilometers from Makkah. The cave was only three meters by two meters in size. During his visits to the cave he took with him only a meagre supply of bread and water.
He was always engaged in prayer and contemplation of the Greatness of Allah. He had Divine dreams of things to come. Seven years passed in this manner and during the last six months of the seven years the Divine dream persisted in such a regular pattern, that they became a part of his life.
In the year 610, while Rasulullah was meditating, an Angel (Gabriel) came to him.Gabriel (Jibrael) said "Read", and then hugged Rasulullah until he thought he would die, Rasulullah replied "I cannot read." Then Gabriel, again, commanded Rasulullah to read and repeated the hug. Rasulullah, again replied "I cannot read." Then once again Gabriel hugged Rasulullah and then said:
'Read, in the name of Allah who created (everything). He created man from a clot of blood. Read, your Lord is Great who taught you but virtue of the pen that which you did not know.' Then dissapeared.
Rasulullah was terrified he came running down the mountain. While he was descending he say Gabriel once again, but this time, Gabriel filled the horizon, Rasulullah saw Him on every turn of his head.
Gabriel said: "I am Gabriel, and you Muhammad (sa) are the Messenger of God."
Right after this Rasulullah ran to Khadeejah and asked her to cover him. She comforted him and told him that it was a revealation from The Almighty.
Man: Abu Bakr (ra)
Woman: Khadeejah (ra)
Child: Ali (as)
At first Rasulullah began to preach secretly and quietly among his relatives and friends. The sincere support of his dearest friends and companion Hazrat Abu Bakar (R.A.) was a pillar of strength for him in his efforts.
Soon there was a small group of Muslims comprising of men and women, both young and old, and a few children. The fear of non-believers drove the Muslims to pray secretly in valleys and ravines of the surrounding mountains. For three years they practiced their 'Deen' in secrecy. Gradually, those who were disgusted with the practice of idolatry also came into the fold of Islaam.
In the meantime, during these three years, every group and society in the Quraish were discussing the new religion and scoffing at it in mockery.
The first violent confrontation came when some of the Quraish came upon a few Muslims in a hidden valley and forcibly tried to stop them from praying. Hazrat Saad-bin Waqqaas (R.A.) drew his sword and one of the Quraish was wounded.
Once Abu Taalib found the Muslims in salaat in a valley. He inquired about the new religion and Rasulullah invited him to embrace Islam. But Abu Taalib politely declined saying that he did not wish to forsake the religion of his ancestors.
Subsequently, Rasulullah was commanded by Allah to preach openly. When Rasulullah addressed, the tribes of Makkah from the top of Mount Safaa, Abu Lahab of the Quraish cursed Rasulullah and it was at this stage that Allah revealed Sura 'Lahab'. Twice again Rasulullah tried to address his own people, but Abu Lahab again scoffed and sneered at Rasulullah .
Thereafter, Rasulullah preached regularly at the house of Al-Arqam-bin-Abil-Arqam near the foot-hills of the Safaa Mountains. This place of learning was also referred to as 'Dar-ul-Arqam'.