Back to 39 EpochsEpoch 16 of 39
Makkan Era•
3 BH (619 CE)
•Makkah Al-Mukarramah
The Year of Sorrow ('Am al-Huzn)
عَامُ الحُزْن
“The passing of his beloved protector Abu Talib and his ultimate confidante and pillar Sayyidah Khadijah within months.”
Historical & Scholarly Account
In the tenth year of Prophethood, shortly after the boycott ended, the Prophet ﷺ faced two devastating personal losses. First, his protective uncle Abu Talib passed away, stripping him of external clan protection in Makkah. Soon after, his beloved wife of 25 years, Sayyidah Khadijah رضي الله عنها, passed away. She had been his sanctuary, his confidante, his financial pillar, and his greatest human comfort. The Prophet ﷺ mourned deeply, and this year became known in Seerah as **'Am al-Huzn** (The Year of Sorrow). Quraysh intensified their physical abuse now that his protectors were gone.
Transformative Lessons for the Modern Believer
The Prophet ﷺ experienced profound human grief, sanctifying the natural reality of emotional tears.
The removal of earthly means shifts total, undivided reliance directly onto Allah alone.
Honoring the memory of loyal companions is a core Sunnah throughout life.
Key Historical Personalities in this Epoch
Sayyidah Khadijah رضي الله عنهاAbu TalibSayyidah Fatimah
Primary Scholarly Sources
- Sahih al-Bukhari (3818)
- Sahih Muslim (2435)
- Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah
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