Difficult Times

The Shi‘b Abi Talib (valley) was a narrow pass between two hills that were owned by the family of the Holy Prophet (sas). It was in this valley that the family of the Holy Prophets as had to take refuge. Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra) lived there patiently with her mother, Hazrat Khadijah (ra), for two and a half to three years. During this time in the valley, the enemies enforced a boycott, which means that no one was allowed to trade with the new Muslims. Amongst other hardships, there was very little food for the family because of this boycott.

By the time the boycott ended, Hazrat Khadijah (ra) had become very weak because of her old age. She passed away in the tenth year of the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (sas), during the blessed month of Ramadan. She is buried in the cemetery called Jannat al-Mu‘alla, also known as Al-Hajun. In the same year, Abu Talib, the uncle of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas), also passed away.

At the time of the demise of Hazrat Khadijah (ra), her daughter Hazrat Zainab (ra) was already married and had migrated to Abyssinia [present-day Ethiopia]. Her other two daughters, Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra) and Hazrat Fatimah (ra), were left without a mother. This was indeed a year of grief for the Holy Prophet (sas).

As for Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra), after going through a painful divorce and the trial of Shi‘b Abi Talib, she had to endure the grief of the loss of her beloved mother.1 Hazrat Khaulah bint Hakeem (ra) approached the Holy Prophet (sas) and suggested to him that the only solution to his domestic difficulties was to remarry. The Holy Prophet (sas) accepted the advice and married an elderly lady, Hazrat Saudah bint Zam‘ah (ra). Her arrival in the family provided great support to the Holy Prophet (sas) and both girls were raised under her care.

It was a very difficult time for the Muslims as Makkah was under the governance of Abu Jahl and his deputies, Abu Sufyan, Utbah, Shaibah, and Waleed—all of whom were arch-enemies of Islam. These were the days of extreme hardships for the Muslims living in Makkah. The enemies did not leave any stone unturned in causing pain to the Muslims.