Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 92
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 92 Shortly after their deliverance from the Shi’b the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, suffered two grievous bereavements in the deaths of his wife Khadija and his uncle Abu Talib. There can be no doubt that these were hastened by their sufferings during their prolonged confinement in the Shi’b. Abu Talib had been in the position of father to Muhammad, of whom he was very fond. The Holy Prophet also loved him deeply. In his last illness he visited him regularly and, when he perceived his uncle’s end was approaching, tried to persuade him to subscr ibe to Islam. Abu Jahl and the others who were present entreated Abu Talib to not to depart from the religion of his father, Abdul Muttalib. Thus his last words were, ‘I die in the religion of Abdul Muttalib. ’ Abu Talib was more than eighty years of age wh en he died. The sacrifices to which he had exposed himself and his family for the sake of his nephew while yet incredulous of his mission stamp his character as singularly noble and unselfish. They afford at the same time strong proof of the truth and sinc erity of the Holy Prophet. Abu Talib would not have acted thus for an interested deceiver and he had ample means of scrutiny. When he had felt that life was ebbing he had summoned his brethren, the sons of Abdul Muttalib, around his bed and had commended h is nephew to their care. Relieved of this trust, he died in peace. For forty years he had been Muhammad’s faithful friend, the prop of his childhood, the guardian of his youth and, in later life, a very tower of defence. His unbelief had only made his infl uence the stronger. So long as he survived, his nephew needed not to fear violence or attack. There was no strong hand now to protect him from his foes.