We have no wealth or merchandise to use to deliver us from these difficulties...

We have no wealth or merchandise to use to deliver us from these difficulties, but right now the Quraishite caravan of merchandise is ready to leave for Syria and Khadijeh daughter of Khuwaylid usually sends men in these caravans for trade. If you were to introduce yourself to her we will find a way out (of this predicament). Word of this discussion reached Khadijeh. She sent a messenger to invite the Prophet for this purpose and sent more goods with the caravan for trade than in any other year.

The Prophet left for Sham (Syria) with the Quraishite caravan accompanied by Khadijehs special servant. Just as usual the caravan arrived at Bostra, stopped there and set up camp. The Prophet, along with Misrah and their goods took up a place in the citys' market. The place they arrived at was near a hermitage where a monk named Nastoor lived. There was also a very old lotus tree next to this hermitage.

After the cargo was unloaded the Prophet took refuge in the shade of this tree and sat there leaning against its trunk. Nastoor, the Christian monk, stuck his head out of the hermitage window and said to Misrah, whom he knew from previous trips: "Misrah, who is that sitting under this tree?". Misrah answered: "He is a Quraishite from Mecca". The monk told him: "There is none other than a prophet under this tree!" The monk told him: "This is Gods' final prophet.

Oh, how I wish I could be there when he is appointed and receives the command to declare his mission......" In the days that followed, the prophet went to the market of Bostra and displayed his goods for sale, and after selling the goods he had with him he began to but the merchandise he required. During these transactions he had a difference of.

opinion with someone and that man said: "Swear by Lat and Uzza!" the Prophet answered: "I have never sworn by these two and whenever I pass them I turn away!" The man answered: "I agree with whatever you say". At another time when that same gentleman saw Misrah alone he told him: "By God, I swear that this man is a Prophet!

I swear by He who holds my life in his powerful hands that this is the very one the scholars and theologians have discovered news of with clear and complete descriptions and explanations in their texts. These conversations made an impression on Misrahs mind and soul and had a strong effect on his conscience, causing him to become more attached to the Prophet on this trip after already having been fascinated by his character.