The Year of Sorrow: In one hard year, the Prophet (SAW) lost two of his greatest supporters: his wife Khadija (sa) and his uncle Abu Talib. Muslims call this the Year of Sorrow.
Rejected at Taif: Soon after, he travelled to Taif to seek support, and the people there drove him away and hurt him. He did not curse them. He prayed for them, and hoped that their children would one day believe.
The door to Madina: After this, Allah opened a new door. People from Madina (then called Yathrib) heard the message and invited the Prophet (SAW) to their city. This was the beginning of the Hijra — the migration to Madina.
Example
Hardship before the opening: The hardest year can come just before the biggest opening. The Prophet (SAW) lost his wife and his protector, was hurt in Taif — and still did not lose hope or his good character.
- When everything feels closed, keep doing the next right thing. A door may open from a place you did not expect.
- Never curse those who hurt you. Pray for their guidance instead.
Key Terms
- Year of Sorrow (عام الحزن) — the year Khadija (sa) and Abu Talib died
- Taif (طائف) — the city near Makkah where the Prophet (SAW) was driven away
- Hijra (ہجرت) — the migration from Makkah to Madina
Quran or Hadith
No verse or Hadith is quoted in this topic. — to be checked in Islamic History.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: A timeline: Year of Sorrow → Taif → Invitation from Madina → Hijra. In Project Desk colours.
- The Year of Sorrow took Khadija (sa) and Abu Talib — his two greatest supporters.
- In Taif, the Prophet (SAW) answered hurt with prayer, not with a curse.
- After the hardest year, Allah opened the door to Madina.