Death of Ibrahim, Son of the Prophet

Ibrahim, the Prophet's infant son by Mariyah al-Qibtiyyah, died at approximately sixteen to eighteen months of age. The Prophet held him as he was dying, his eyes filled with tears, and said: 'The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, but we say nothing except what pleases our Lord. O Ibrahim, we are grieved by your departure.' Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf asked: 'Even you, O Messenger of Allah?' The Prophet replied: 'O Ibn Awf, this is mercy.' A solar eclipse occurred on the same day, and some people said it eclipsed because of Ibrahim's death. The Prophet firmly corrected this superstition, saying: 'The sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse for the death or birth of anyone. When you see an eclipse, pray and supplicate to Allah.' This incident demonstrated the Prophet's humanity in grief while maintaining strict monotheism even regarding natural phenomena, and it has become one of the most important lessons against superstition in Islam.