Faithful Reflections

I. Introduction: Defining the  ‘Ām al-Ḥuzn 1.1. The Tenth Year of Prophethood: A Chronological Anchor The Islamic tradition assigns the name  ‘Ām al-Ḥuzn  ( Year of Sorrow , or Year of Sadness) to the tenth year of the prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, PBUH). This designation memorializes a period of profound personal bereavement that quickly morphed into a critical systemic crisis for the nascent Muslim community in Makkah. The tenth year is uniquely anchored in the historical narrative ( Sīrah ) by the devastating, nearly simultaneous deaths of the two individuals who served as the indispensable pillars of the Prophet’s security and comfort: his uncle and primary protector, Abu Talib , and his first wife and unwavering spiritual partner, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid .    This report examines the  ‘Ām al-Ḥuzn  not merely as a time of intense emotional loss but as an essential strategic catalyst. The unp...