The Year when Abu Talib and Khadija Passed Away

Ten years of the Prophethood of Muhammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) had passed when two sad events took place. These were the death of his very dear and kind uncle, Abu Talib, and the death of one of the noblest ladies of all times, Khadija his wife.

History will always record with honour that during the times of opposition to Islam, Khadija devoted her life and all her property to the faith. She was the richest lady in Makkah. And she had been the first to embrace Islam.

After Abu Talib's death, conditions became more difficult for the Muslims as it was mainly out of respect for him that the Prophet Muhammad and his followers had not been forced to leave Makkah.

The deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija were a great loss to the Muslims but the Prophet bore his own grief patiently and continued his mission to take the word of Allah to the people.

At that time, seasonal get-togethers of villagers and different tribes took place at Mina near Makkah. The Prophet went to these gatherings to preach the word of Allah. But his task was made difficult because the people were still reluctant to give up the old beliefs. Also, Abu Lahab tried to mislead the people and ridiculed the Prophet whenever he tried to preach.

Although only a few people became Muslims the constant efforts of the Prophet meant that news about Islam reached every corner of Arabia. He had been asked by some people of Ta'if to visit them so that they could hear verses of the Qur'an and then they might embrace Islam. When the Prophet after a long journey, reached their village, some nasty people and older children threw stones at him. He was badly shaken by their sudden aggressive attack.

The Archangel Jibril appeared to the Prophet and said that he had been given permission by Allah to turn the land inhabited by the Ta'if people upside down. But the Prophet said: 'No! These people do not understand the message of Allah at present but will come to know it some time.'

On his journey home, the Prophet stopped to rest by a garden wall, where he prayed to Allah:

“O Allah, to You I complain of my weakness, helplessness and lowliness before men.  O Most Merciful, You are the Lord of the weak, and You are my Lord. To whom would You leave my fate? Toa stranger who insults me or to an enemy to whom You have given power over me? If You are not angry with me, I care not what happens to me. Your favour alone is my objective. I take refuge in the Light of Your countenance by which the darkness is illumined and on which this world and the other depend, lest Your anger descend upon me or Your wrath light upon me. It is for You to be satisfied until You are well-pleased. There is no power and no might save through You.”

It so happened that Utba ibn Rabia and Shaiba ibn Rabia, who owned the garden, sent their servant to the Prophet with some grapes. Before he began to eat the grapes, the Prophet said 'Bismillah' meaning 'In the name of Allah'. The servant, whose name was Addas, was very surprised to hear those words and said: 'This is not the way the people of this country speak.'

'From what country do you come, Addas, and what is your religion?' asked the Prophet. 'I come from the Assyrian town of Ninevah and I am of the Christian faith', he replied. 'From the same town as Yunus, the son of Matta', added the Prophet. 'How do you know of him?' asked Addas in surprise. 'He is my brother -he was a Prophet and I am a Prophet', said Muhammad. Addas then knew that this man was really a Prophet and he kissed his feet.

Later, on the same journey, the Prophet was again praying to Allah when he was overheard by some jinn who were close by. The jinn were so impressed by the Prophet's prayers that they also decided to become Muslims.