The year of sorrow

Abu Talib’s illness worsened, and as the hour of his death drew near, the Prophet went to his side. He found Abu Jahl and Abdullah bin Umayya sitting beside his dying uncle. Undeterred by their presence, the Prophet urged Abu Talib to make the declaration of faith, “La ilaaha illallah.”

“My uncle, say La ilaaha illallah. This is a simple phrase, and if you say it, I’ll plead with Allah for your salvation.” The two pagans however, refused to sit in silence. “Abu Talib,” they cried. “Will you shun the religion of Abdul Muttalib?”

Still, the Prophet refused to give up on his uncle. “I will ask Allah to forgive you until I am forbidden to do so.” Soon after that, however, the following verse was revealed: “It is not fitting for the Prophet and the believers that they should pray for forgiveness for pagans, even if they are kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire.” (9: 113).

Abu Talib died in the month of either Rajab or Ramadan, ten years after the Prophet began his mission. Although he had supported the Prophet and protected him from his enemies, he died clinging to the faith of his forefathers. Abbas , one of the Prophet’s uncles, once asked the Prophet , “How could you be of any service to Abu Talib, the one who supported you and rebuked others for your sake?”