Background
He was born in the last month of the year 8 Animal Husbandry, equivalent of ca 630 AD His mother was a Coptic Egyptian slave who accepted Islam. Sent as a gift from Muqawqis, a Byzantine official, to Muhammad in 628.
He was born in the last month of the year 8 Animal Husbandry, equivalent of ca 630 AD His mother was a Coptic Egyptian slave who accepted Islam. Sent as a gift from Muqawqis, a Byzantine official, to Muhammad in 628.
The child was placed in the care of a wet nurse called Umm Sayf, wife of Abu Sayf, the blacksmith, in the tradition of the Arabs of the time, to whom Muhammad gave some goats to complement her milk supply. Ibrahim fell seriously ill sometime after the Battle of Tabuk, at which time he was reported as being either sixteen or eighteen months old. When it was clear that he would not likely survive, Muhammad was informed.
His reaction to the news is reported as: Muhammad is also reported as having informed Mariyah and Sirin that Ibrahim would have his own nurse in Paradise.
Different accounts relate that the ghusl for Ibrahim was performed by either Umm Burdah, or al-Fadl ibn 'Abbas, in preparation for burial. Here, after a funeral prayer led by Muhammad, he was interred.
Muhammad then filled the grave with sand, sprinkled some water upon it, and placed a landmark on it, saying that "Tombstones do neither good nor ill, but they help appease the living. Anything that man does, God wishes him to do well." The word went out saying that the sun was eclipsed in sadness over the death of Ibrahim.
Upon hearing this Muhammad is reported as saying "The sun and the moon are signs of God.
They are eclipsed neither for the death nor birth of any manitoba On beholding an eclipse, therefore, remember God and turn to Him in prayer." Ibrahim died at the age of 16, 18 or 21 months. This may have been at the time of another solar eclipse, which occurred on the afternoon of 3 August 631 (29 Rabi"Akhir 10 Animal Husbandry).
However, according to modern astronomical calculations this eclipse was not visible from Mecca or Medina.
Tabari says Ibrahim died at the age of 21 months. If Ibrahim was born in the last month of 8 Animal Husbandry, he would be 21 months in Shawwal 10 Animal Husbandry (January 632).
So Ibrahim died on the 29th of Shawwal 10 Animal Husbandry, equivalent with Monday, 27 January 632, the day of the solar eclipse which had 76% obscuration in Medina.