Hazrat Sayyedah Khadijah — Page 27
27 with other chiefs, proceeded to the Shi‘b Abi Taalib with drawn swords and told the besieged that the boycott was over and that they could return to their homes. The Year of Grief For about three years the Holy Prophet saw along with other Muslims, and the people belonging to Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib remained in Shi‘b Abi Taalib in a pitiful condition. When the boycott was over, everyone among them went back to his dwelling to live a normal life, however the health of Abu Taalib as well as of Khadijah ra was failing. Shortly after their return from the Shi‘b, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, suffered two grievous bereavements. His uncle Abu Taalib and his beloved and faithful wife ra , both passed away, one after the other. إنا هلل وإنا إليه راجعون [ Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raa- ji‘oon —‘Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return’]. There can be no doubt that their ill health was caused by the sufferings during their prolonged confinement in the Shi‘b. Abu Taalib was more than eighty years old when he died. He was like a father to the Holy Prophet saw. The Holy Prophet saw was very fond of him and he, too, loved his nephew deeply. During the days of his illness, the Holy Prophet saw visited him regularly. So long as he was alive, the Holy Prophet saw had no need to fear violence or attack from the opponents. After his death there was no such human hand to protect him from his enemies.