After the 3-year boycott on the Muslims had been lifted, they returned to their previous lives in Makka, and looked forward to improving their condition. However, certain events occurred that year that left the Holy Prophet (S) extremely sad and the Muslims also shared in his sorrow. In that year the Holy Prophet (S) first lost his uncle Abu Talib (A), and then one month later, his wife Bibi Khadija (A). His sorrow and grief knew no bounds and he named this year "Aamul Huzn", the Year of Grief.

Abu Talib (A) had been the supporter and defender of the Holy Prophet (S) since the death of his father, Abdul Muttalib. He treated him better than his own sons. In order to protect the Holy Prophet (S) from being murdered by his enemies, Abu Talib (A) used to make one of his sons, usually Imam Ali (A), sleep in the bed of the Holy Prophet (S).

Abu Talib (A) believed so much in the excellence of the Holy Prophet (S) that he used to request the blessings of Allah by using his nephew's name. Once, when the Quraish were faced with a terrible drought, they came to Abu Talib (A), begging him to pray for rain. Abu Talib (A) held the hand of the Holy Prophet (S), who was then only a young boy, and raised his head to the skies, saying, "O Lord, send down rain for the sake of this young boy, and favour us with your blessings". This prayer was hardly over when rain began to fall heavily.

When the Holy Prophet (S) declared his mission, Abu Talib (A) stood faithfully by his side, never stepping back from the defence of his nephew.

Although Abu Talib (A) began to lose his position amongst the Quraish because of his support for the Holy Prophet (S), he did not for one moment think of asking him to hold back the message of Islam.

Abu Talib (A) let his position be under threat for the sake of the truth. Would we be too attached to our worldly desires to support the truth?

The actions of Abu Talib (A) throughout his life confirm that he was a Muslim and believed in the religion of Allah. However, some people still claim that he was an unbeliever. This is actually a false accusation because we know that Abu Talib was the one who recited the marriage formula for the Holy Prophet (S) and this can only be done by a Muslim.

It is a fact of history that Fatimah binte Asad was one of the first women to accept Islam. She was also the wife of Abu Talib (A), and remained his wife till he died. If he had not been a Muslim, it would have been unlawful for her to remain his wife.
It was no wonder that the Holy Prophet (S) missed his uncle so much. Abu Talib (A) had been his guardian for 50 years.

In the same year, the Holy Prophet (S) lost his dear wife Bibi Khadija (A), the mother of his beloved daughter, Fatimah Zahra (A).

Thereafter, she gave her entire wealth for the sake of Islam.

The double tragedy was a bitter blow to the Holy Prophet (S), at a time when he needed the encouragement and support of his loved ones.