The Opposition Intensifies

pity on them. They tore the agreement hanging in the Kabah to pieces so the Banu Hashim could return to their homes. However, Abu Talib, the Prophet’s uncle, died soon after this. His health had suffered during the three years of hardship. Nevertheless, although Abu Talib had not accepted Islam, he protected the Prophet from his opponents as head of his clan. After his death, Abu Lahab, another uncle of the Prophet, became head of the Banu Hashim. He was the bitterest enemy of Islam and Muslims. He made it clear to the Quraysh that Muhammad no longer had the protection of his clan. Moreover, in those days, no one could survive without such protection. Khadijah, the faithful wife of the Prophet, also died soon after the ban was lifted. Both these deaths took place in the tenth year of prophethood. The loss of Abu Talib and Khadijah saddened the Prophet, for they had been great sources of strength to him. It was their deaths that made the enemy bold enough to persecute him. One day when the Prophet