THE FIRST MIGRATION

 

HIJRAT TO ABYSSINIA : The Muslims were now being tormented and persecuted by the Kufaar even more than before. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) thus commanded some Sahaba to migrate (make Hijrat) to Abyssinia. The King of Abyssinia was a Christian. His name was Asmaha and he was known as Najashi. He was a very kind and humble person, and had deep knowledge of the Taurah and Injeel.  In the fifth year after the Announcement of Nabuiwat, in the month of Rajab, eleven men and four women migrated to Abyssinia (Habsha). [Zirkani vol.1 pg 270]

 

THE BOYCOTT : Seven years after the Announcement of Nabuiwat, the Kufaar found that Islam was spreading very fast, and that people like Hazrat Umar-e-Farouk (radi Allahu anhu) and Hazrat Hamza (radi Allahu anhu) had accepted Islam. The Kufaar now wanted to control the spread of Islam, and to allow this to happen, they planned a boycott of the Banu Hashim. This, they thought would force the Banu Hashim to go against the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). They wrote a Decree to the Banu Hashim and Placed it in the Kaaba. The Decree stated that unless and until the Banu Hashim do not hand the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) over to them, the following shall apply:

 

1. No person shall marry with anyone from the Banu Hashim.

2. No one shall buy or sell anything to them.

3. No person shall associate, talk or have any relationship with the Banu Hashim.

4. No person should allow any food or water to be sent to them.

 

Mansoor bin Ikrama wrote this decree and the leaders of the Quraish signed on it. Abu Taalib was now forced to take the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and the Bani Hashim with him into a mountainous valley which was called Shu'b Abu Taalib. The Banu Hashim remained in this valley for three years, facing great hardships and difficulties. They survived on leaves and dried up skins. The children of Banu Hashim suffered with hunger and thirst. The Kufaar ensured that no food or water could enter the valley. [Zirkani vol.1 pg.275]

 

The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and the Banu Hashim lived through this difficult time for three years, until the hearts of certain members of the Quraish softened and they personally went into the valley and helped every member of the Banu Hashim out of the valley. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, that the Decree of the Kufaar would be destroyed and when it was removed from inside the Kaaba, it was found that the entire decree had been eaten by white ants, except the name of ALLAH. Mut'im bin Adi was the one who tore the decree and asked some brave men from the Quraish to go into the valley and remove the Banu Hashim. Mansoor bin Ikrama, who had written the decree became ill and his hands became paralysed and dried up. [Madarijun Nabuiwat vol.2 pg.46]

 

THE YEAR OF SADNESS : In the tenth year after Announcement of Nabuiwat,  Abu Taalib passed away. Only three days after this, Hazrat Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) passed from this world. She was the one who always comforted and supported the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in everything. This was a great loss to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and her passing saddened him. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) referred to that year as “The Year of Sadness”. Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha) passed away in the month of Ramadaan at the age of sixty five and was made to rest in the blessed cemetery of Jannatul Mua'lla. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) personally entered her grave and laid her to rest in it. [Zirkani vol.1 pg.296]