Ten years after the declaration of prophethood when Abu Talib died...

Ten years after the declaration of prophethood when Abu Talib died, the Holy Prophet was seen weeping in the funeral gathering and saying, “O my beloved uncle! How will I live after your passing away? This is indeed a very difficult situation.” He called this year, ‘The Year of Sorrow’ because in this year he lost two of his most dear and helpful personalities viz. Abu Talib and Khadijah (a.s).

We have mentioned earlier that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had lived since he was eight till he married Khadijah, in the house of Abu Talib and that Abu Talib and his wife Fatima binte Asad were as good as the Holy Prophet’s parents in love and affection.

When Fatima binte Asad expired in Medina the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) used his shirt as her shroud cloth and then himself lowered her pious body in the grave and recalled the days when he was under her loving care and stayed at the grave so that she might feel happy and peace. Yes, Ali (a.s) was the son of such gentle and honorable parents. When Ali was six years old, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) brought him to his own home and nurtured him with utmost care.

It is no exaggeration to say that Ali (a.s) was brought up in the lap of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and to mention that Ali and Muhammad were both two parts of a single radiance (Noor). This is also what the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said. Three years later, when Almighty God made Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) His Messenger for the guidance of entire mankind when he was busy worshipping Only One God in the cave of Mt.

Hira and when he returned home after getting the first revelations, first of all he narrated the whole event to his younger cousin, Ali (a.s) who was then only nine. Ali (a.s) accepted the Holy Prophet’s invitation wholeheartedly and testified that Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was the Messenger of Allah. Thus he proved that for whom God created distinction in an unparalleled manner had nothing to do with seniority of age.

This is the first Muslim who understood the meaning of Islam in its totality and attached himself with it fully. History shows that Ali had never accorded any respect to idols. He had always remained aloof from idol-worship. Even since he opened his eyes he began to recognize himself and found himself in the cool shade of the affection of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.). The Messenger of God informed him of the events relating to his prophethood and Ali (a.s) readily testified Muhammad’s messengership.