The Year of Grief: Abu Talib and Khadija die

In the year 619 A.D., not long after annulment of the social boycott, Muhammad suffered a great loss of Abu Talib and Khadija, who followed each other to meet their deaths within a short interval, which was a severe blow.

With the death of Khadija, the lamp of Muhammad's home was extinguished. One protected him with the influence that derived from his noble rank, while the other guarded him with her material and wealth. After the death of Abu Talib and Khadija, Muhammad was immersed in deep grief, and that is why, this year is called aam-ul-huzn (the year of grief). The bereavement of his uncle and wife cast a gloom over Muhammad's life. The tragedy coincided with so many afflictions and animosities of his enemies that Mecca had become a bed of thorns for Muhammad by now onwards.

The Year of Sorrow (Aam-ul-Huzn) is an Islamic term for a Hijri year that coincided with 619 or 623 CE. It is called so since both Abu Talib and Khadija - the Islamic prophet Muhammad's uncle and wife, respectively - died that year.

In Nur-ul-Absar, the author mentions the date of demise of Abu Talib to be the first of Zilqada after the removal of economic sanctions which lasted for 8 months and 21 days.

The privations and hardships endured by the Muslims during the Meccan boycott of the Hashemites had gravely affected the health of both Khadija and Abu Talib. Khadija died within a few days, and Abu Talib's end came a month thereafter.