The Year of Sorrow
When these people from Najran had finished speaking with the Prophet ﷺ, he invited them to Islam. He recited some verses of the Holy Qur’an to them. Upon hearing the verses, tears came to their eyes. Their hearts testified to the truth of this revelation. Thus, they immediately believed in the Prophet ﷺ. These people had already read the descriptions and news concerning the Noble Prophet ﷺ in their religious books. Therefore, when they saw him, they recognized that he was indeed the final Prophet.
After this, when they got up to leave, Abu Jahl and several other Qurayshi chiefs stopped them and said:
«“May Allah disgrace you! You were sent here so that you could gather information about this man and report it back to them, but you sat with him and abandoned your own religion. We have never seen a more foolish and senseless delegation than you today.”»
The people of Najran replied:
«“Peace be upon you. What concern is it of yours what we do? You should mind your own business and let us do as we wish.”»
Allah Almighty praised them in Surah al-Ma’idah.
Similarly, a man from the tribe of Azd named Dimad came to Makkah. He used to remove the effects of jinn through spiritual healing and recitation. He heard the people of Makkah saying that Muhammad ﷺ was under the influence of jinn. Hearing this, he said:
«“If I could see this man, perhaps Allah Almighty would grant him healing through my hands.”»
After this, he came into the presence of the Prophet ﷺ. He relates:
“I said to the Prophet ﷺ:
«‘O Muhammad! I treat people through spiritual healing, and people say that you are under the influence of jinn. If that is the case, I can treat you.’”»
After hearing him, the Prophet ﷺ said:
«“All praise belongs to Allah alone. We praise and glorify Him and seek His help. Whoever Allah Almighty guides, no one can misguide; and whoever Allah Almighty allows to go astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah. He has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”»
After hearing these words, he said:
«“Repeat these words before me.”»
The Prophet ﷺ repeated the declaration of faith three times. Then he said:
«“I have heard the words of soothsayers. I have also heard the words of magicians and poets. But I have never heard words like these words of yours. Give me your hand; I accept Islam.”»
Thus, Dimad رضي الله عنه immediately pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ on his hand.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«“Will you also pledge allegiance on behalf of your people?”»
He replied:
«“Yes! I also pledge allegiance on behalf of my people.”»
In this way, the man who had come with the intention of removing the supposed influence of jinn from the Prophet ﷺ himself became a Muslim. Many other such incidents also took place.
Ten years had passed since the beginning of the prophethood of the Noble Prophet ﷺ when his respected wife, Hazrat Khadijah رضي الله عنها, passed away. Abu Talib had passed away a few days earlier.
Hazrat Khadijah al-Kubra رضي الله عنها was buried in the cemetery of Hajun. The Prophet ﷺ himself descended into her grave. At the time of her death, Hazrat Khadijah رضي الله عنها was 65 years old. At that time, the command regarding the funeral prayer had not yet been given.
The historians of Seerah called this year ‘Aam al-Huzn, meaning the Year of Grief, because two personalities who had supported the Prophet ﷺ on every occasion had departed from this world.
The Prophet ﷺ remained sorrowful most of the time and began going out of his home less frequently. Hazrat Khadijah رضي الله عنها had lived with him for twenty-five years after their marriage. They had remained together for such a long period.
When Abu Talib became ill, the Prophet ﷺ came to visit him.
At that time, the chiefs of Quraysh were also present there. The Prophet ﷺ said to his uncle:
«“Uncle! Say, ‘La ilaha illallah,’ so that I may intercede for you on the Day of Judgment.”»
Abu Talib replied:
«“By Allah, nephew! If I did not fear that after my death people would shame and disgrace you and your family, and that Quraysh would say that I uttered this declaration out of fear of death, then I would certainly utter these words and make your heart content. I know how much you wish that I would say these words. But I shall die upon the religion of my forefathers.”»
Upon this, the following verse was revealed:
«“Indeed, you cannot guide whoever you like, but Allah guides whom He wills, and He knows best those who are guided.”»
(Surah al-Qasas: Verse 56)
Thus, Abu Talib remained a disbeliever until the end of his life and died upon disbelief.
Hazrat Abbas رضي الله عنه relates:
“Once I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
«‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Talib always helped and supported you. Will this benefit him in the Hereafter?’»
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
«‘Yes! I was shown his condition on the Day of Judgment. I found him in the upper part of Hell; otherwise, he would have been in the lowest part of Hell.’”»
(Bukhari, Muslim)
When Abu Talib died, the Prophet ﷺ said:
«“By Allah, I will continue to pray for your forgiveness until Allah Almighty Himself prevents me from doing so.”»
Upon this, Allah Almighty revealed the following verse:
«“It is not permissible for the Prophet and the other Muslims to seek forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are relatives, after it has become clear that they are people of Hell.”»
(Surah al-Tawbah: Verse 113)
This also proves that Abu Talib did not die upon faith.
Hazrat Khadijah رضي الله عنها passed away in the month of Ramadan. A few months after her death, the Prophet ﷺ married Hazrat Sawdah bint Zam‘ah رضي الله عنها.
Before her marriage to the Prophet ﷺ, she had been married to her paternal uncle’s son, Sakran رضي الله عنه. Hazrat Sakran رضي الله عنه had migrated with her to Abyssinia when the command for the second migration was given. They later returned to Makkah. Some time after their return, he passed away.
When the waiting period of Hazrat Sawdah رضي الله عنها was completed, the Prophet ﷺ married her.
Before this marriage, Hazrat Sawdah رضي الله عنها had seen a strange dream. She related this dream to her husband, Sakran رضي الله عنه. After hearing the dream, Sakran رضي الله عنه said:
«“If you have truly seen this dream, then I will soon die, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ will marry you.”»
The following night, she again saw a dream in which she was lying down. Suddenly, the moon broke away from the sky and came toward her.
She also told this dream to her husband. Upon hearing it, he said:
«“It seems that I will die very soon.”»
And on that very day, Hazrat Sakran رضي الله عنه passed away.
In the month of Shawwal, the Noble Prophet ﷺ married Hazrat ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها.