The Demise of Abu-Talib vol .24

The Demise of Abu-Talib

It is related that after the Benee Hâshim had lived four years, by another account three years, and by another still two years, in the defile, the Most High sent a worm against that cursed league of the Koraysh, which they had placed in the Kabah, and utterly cleared the parchment of every word except the name of God which was written on it. Jibrâeel communicated this fact to the prophet, who reported it to Abutâlib. At these celestial tidings, the chieftain dressed and started for the Kabah, where he found the Koraysh chiefs assembled. On seeing Abutâlib, they said to one another, He is now reduced to the necessity of surrendering Mohammed to us. At his approach they rose and treated him with the greatest deference and respect, and said, We perceive you have come to unite your counsels with ours and deliver your nephew to us. No, indeed! said Abutâlib, I come for no such purpose; but my nephew, who never lies, has assured me that the Most High has sent a worm that has totally effaced your cursed league, and obliterated the tyrannical and unjust compact into which you entered, and that nothing remains on the parchment but the name of God. Produce it now: if Mohammed's declarations herein prove true, then fear God, and turn from your oppressive and unmerciful doings: if what he has asserted is false, I will deliver him to you, and if you please put him to death. They agreed that this was an equitable proposition, and bringing the parchment from the Kàbah, they found the seals perfect, but when they opened the instrument, it appeared in just the state Mohammed had described. The Koraysh hung their heads, while Abutâlib warmly exhorted them to fear God and leave off their tyranny. Several of them now rose and declared they were heartily sick of the league, and it was agreed to tear the sheet on which it had been written, notwithstanding Abujahl's efforts to have it reestablished.

The Benee Hâshim now left the fastness, and returned to their houses, and two months after this event, Abutâlib fell sick. When the prophet visited him and saw he was soon to depart, he said, O my uncle, you brought me up in infancy, assisted me in manhood, and supplied my wants in my orphan state. May God, on my account, grant you the best rewards. I ask one word from you that my eyes may be enlightened. The object of the prophet in this was, that it might be publicly known that Abutâlib was a Musulmân, though he had not openly professed islam, that he might more effectually serve Mohammed. Abutâlib now repeated the kalemah or creed, declared his faith in islam, and after committing to Mohammed the relics of the prophets, and the covenant of Ibrâheem, departed to the eternal God. The prophet attended his remains to the tomb, and wept, saying, 0 my uncle, your kindred kindness has been unceasing, may God give you a good reward I It is well known that Abutâlib's death occurred in the tenth year of Mo. hammned's prophetical mission. Thirty-five days after that melancholy event, or, according to some, three days afterwards, Khadeejah departed to the holy world. By these calamities, one speedily following the other, the prophet was grievously afflicted. Both of these individuals had been his vizeers, assistants, and helpers in promoting islam, and were his companions in most pressing adversities.

It is related that the death of Abutâlib occurred on the twenty- sixth of the month of Rejeb, in the last part of the tenth year of the prophetical mission of Mohammed, and Khadeejah dying three days afterwards, the prophet named that the year of grief. When Khadeejah was near her departure to the eternal world, the prophet visited her and said, To me it is a heavy burden to see you thus, but when you arrive among your fellow-wives give them my salutation. Who are they? She inquired. He replied, Maryam, the daughter of Imràn, Kulsoom, the sister of Moosâ, and Aseeah the wife of Faroun, all of whom, with yourself, will be my wives in paradise. May the union be blessed, added Khadeejah.

It is well known that Khadeejah was sixty-five years old when she died. The prophet buried her at Hajoon. He entered the grave himself to lay her in it. After the death of Abutâlib, Jibrâeel descended and directed Mohammed to depart out of Mekkah, for no one was left able to defend him from the Koraysh, who were becoming more exasperated against him. Accordingly he left the city, and repaired to a mountain near Mekkah, called Hajoon. Before this he had preached publicly, and in private houses, sometimes, however, being unable to appear without having obtained the protection of a powerful man. In this, the tenth year of his mission, he married Auyeshah, the daughter of Abubekr, and Soodah, the daughter of Zamah.