THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 018 The Death of Abu Talib & Lady Khadijah by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem The Death of Abu Talib & Lady Khadijah The Koraysh Approach the Ailing Abu Talib Abu Talib was now elderly and in poor health and the Koraysh, fearing a stain on their reputation if they took action after his passing, took the decision to send their representatives to ask him to intervene on their behalf with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Twenty-five notables from the Koraysh including Utbah and Shayba sons of Rabi’a, Abu Jahl son of Hisham, Umayyah son of Khalaf, and Abu Sufyan son of Harb went to visit Abu Talib. They greeted, praised him and said how highly they respected and honored him. Having done this they proceeded with their mission which was that they were prepared not to interfere with the Prophet’s religion if he did not interfere in theirs and their way of life. Abu Talib called for his nephew and told him of the Koraysh proposal. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) listened to his uncle then said, "Then give me a word, a word by which they shall rule over both the Arabs and Persians." Excitedly, Abu Jahl replied, "Indeed, by your father, for that we will give you not only one word, but ten more!" The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, "Then you must say, 'There is no god except Allah' and renounce all that you worship except Him." In exasperation the Koraysh threw up their hands saying, "Muhammad, would you make our gods one God, what you say is indeed strange!" The leaders realized their mission had been in vain and turned to each other saying, "This man will give us nothing we ask for, we will go our own way and uphold our religion which is the religion of our fathers until Allah judges between us and him!" It was then that Allah sent down the chapter Saad: “Saad, by the Holy Reading (Koran) of the Remembrance. No, the unbelievers exalt in their division. How many generations have We destroyed before them. They called, 'The time is neither of escape, nor safety.' They marvel now that, from among themselves, a warner has come to them. The unbelievers say, 'This is a lying sorcerer. What, has he made the gods One God? This is indeed a wondrous thing.' Their assembly left (saying), 'Go, and be patient to your gods, this is something to be desired. We never heard of this in the former religion. It is nothing but an invention.‘” Koran 38:1-7 The Year of Sorrow The year was 619 after Jesus, and ten years after Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), received the first Revelation. It was a time for happiness but also of great sorrow for it was on approximately 20th of Rajab of that year that the 87 year old Abu Talib weakened by terminal illness passed away. An Insight into Abu Talib’s Belief As Abu Talib neared death he called the Koraysh dignitaries to come to him and gave them a sound recommendation, Abu Talib said as reported by Hisham son of Saie via his father: “O people of Koraysh you are the chosen of Allah among His creation ….. Then he added, I recommend that you be good to Muhammad. He is the honest person of the Koraysh, the friend of Arabs and the gatherer of every good attributes I recommend for you. Indeed, he has come with the matter of religion which the heart has accepted (and this is the definition of belief) while the tongue has denied it (and this was the undisclosed plan that the Koraysh should not show he was a Muslim, so that he an others like him were able to protect the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), and support the preaching of Islam) as they feared the hatred of the unbelievers). By Allah, it is as I see, that the common Arabs, those amongst the shepherds, those who live in remote areas and the weaklings among people will accept the invitation to Islam, believe and confirm his words (there is no god except Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger). They will respect his ordinance and he will lead them in battles bearing death. And the chieftain and the frontier of Koraysh will become impotent. Their homes became as if ghosts and the weak amongst them will become landlords. The most great among the Koraysh are those most in need of him while the one who is on the lower side of society is the most fortunate with him. And that the Arabs will give Muhammad their love with a pure heart and give him their leadership. O Koraysh, support, and protect his party. By Allah, nobody walks in Muhammad’s path that is not righteous, and there is no one who follows Muhammad’s guidance who is not happy and fortunate. Had I more time and my age extended, I would indeed protect him and repel the overwhelming affairs.” Shortly thereafter he passed away. Several years later during the Battle of Badr Ubaydah, son of Harith engaged Utbah in single combat. Ubaydah’s leg had been severed and he had lost a lot of blood. Hamza and Ali carried him to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), and in a weakened voice Ubaydah asked, “O Messenger of Allah, am I to be a martyr?” “Indeed you are” replied the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), in a soft tone and Ubaydah was happy. As he lay in his weakened state he said, "If Abu Talib was alive today he would know that his words: 'We will not give him up until we lie dead around him, forgetting our women and children,' have been fulfilled in me." Abu Talib can be said to be identical to the believer in the time of Moses who warned him that Pharaoh’s people were plotting to kill him. “Then a man came running from the furthest part of the city, 'Moses,' he said, 'the Assembly are plotting to kill you. Leave, for I am one of your sincere advisers.' Koran 28:20 The Death of Lady Khadijah Lady Khadijah passed away on approximately 10th Ramadan, ten years after the prophethood, close to two months after Abu Talib at the age of sixty-five. Out of all the ladies of the world, Allah selected Lady Khadijah to be the wife of His beloved Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). She was indeed, the best wife for the best husband and they had been blissfully married for twenty-five years. Her love and devotion to the calling and to him were unquestionable. A cross word was never exchanged between them, they were the perfect couple and loved being in each other’s company. Lady Khadijah had been the first to accept Islam and her faith was like the brilliance of the brightest planet that causes all the planets and stars to appear dim in the darkest hour of the night. Although Lady Khadijah had known excesses of wealth and luxury she never uttered a single word of complaint when the Holy family’s circumstances had been reduced to the poverty of this materialistic world. Rather, she was ever thankful to Allah for whatever came her way. She was charitable and considerate, never looked down on anyone, and lovingly treated members of her household in the same way as she did her family. Such was the love and care she gave them that none wished to leave her service even when the Holy family’s circumstances were reduced. Whenever she had noticed or heard of someone in a distressed state she had always been there to lend a helping hand and like her beloved husband, never turned anyone away. She always looked for the good in people and brushed away anything that might to others have appeared negative. She was pure in heart, mind, body, and soul and was known as the Mother of Believers. Lady Khadijah had been an exemplary mother who dearly loved her children and raised them to be the best, most loving, obedient children of their time. Many were the days when she would be found fondly playing with them or, much to their delight, telling them the stories of other prophets that her beloved husband had narrated to her. When her two sons returned to Allah, she had been naturally saddened but she trusted in Allah and never complained, and gently comforted her grieving daughters who missed their little brothers. Lady Khadijah had been not only the most perfect wife, mother, friend, but neighbor. Those ladies fortunate to know her wished they had her qualities for she set the standard on earth for every woman who longed for Paradise in the life Hereafter. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his four daughters, ladies Zaynab, Rukiyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatima were deeply sorrowed by their loss. However, peace and comfort descended upon them when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) gently and lovingly told his daughters that many years before, when he had been in retreat in the Cave of Mount Hira, the Angel Gabriel had visited him and that Gabriel had said, “O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi was salaam). This is Khadijah coming to you with some food and drink. When she reaches you greet her on behalf of her Lord, and on my behalf, and give her glad tidings of a palace made from Qasab (tubes of gold, and precious stones) in Paradise wherein there will be neither noise nor toil." The news of Gabriel's message comforted the Prophet’s daughters greatly and they were content in the knowledge that Allah had called her home and removed her far from the enemies of her Lord. The Death of Abu Talib & Lady Khadijah 018 Back Cover Subtitles The Koraysh Approach the Ailing Abu Talib The Year of Sorrow An Insight into Abu Talib’s Belief The Death of Lady Khadijah