Mukhaimarah, Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit, ʿAṭāʾ ibn Dīnār, Muḥammad ibn Kaʿb, and others have transmitted it, yet the report itself remains open to scrutiny; Allah knows best.
What appears stronger—Allah knows best—is the other narration from Ibn ʿAbbās: “They forbid the people to believe in Muḥammad.” Mujāhid, Qatādah, al-Ḍaḥḥāk, and many others held the same view, and it is the opinion preferred by Ibn Jarīr. Their reasoning is that the wording was revealed in order to complete the censure of the idolaters, for they barred people from following him while deriving no benefit from him themselves.
For that reason the Most High said:
“Among them are those who listen to you, but We have placed coverings over their hearts so they do not understand, and deafness in their ears. Even if they were to see every sign, they would still not believe in it. When they come to you to argue, the disbelievers say, ‘This is nothing but tales of the ancients.’ They keep others from him and keep away themselves, yet they destroy none but themselves, though they do not perceive it.” (Q 6:25–26)
This wording—His saying, “they”—indicates that a group is meant, namely those mentioned earlier in the verse, “They destroy none but themselves, though they are unaware,” which underscores the completeness of their condemnation. Abū Ṭālib was not of that sort; rather, he shielded the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions from harm by every means he could—through deed and word, life and wealth. Yet despite this, Allah did not decree faith for him. In that lies a profound divine wisdom and an overwhelming, decisive proof to which we must submit. Were it not that Allah has forbidden us to seek forgiveness for the polytheists, we would have begged forgiveness and mercy for Abū Ṭālib.
Section on the death of Khadījah bint Khuwaylid and a brief mention of her virtues and merits—may Allah be pleased with her and make the Gardens of Firdaws her abode and resting place. Indeed, He has already done so, according to the report of the Truthful and Trustworthy Prophet, who gave her the glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of pearl, wherein there is neither clamour nor fatigue.
Yaʿqūb ibn Sufyān said: Abū Ṣāliḥ narrated to us; al-Layth narrated to us; ʿUqayl narrated to me from Ibn Shihāb, who said: ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr said, “Khadījah passed away before the prescribed prayers were made obligatory.”
He (Yaʿqūb) also related through another chain from al-Zuhrī, who said: “Khadījah died in Mecca before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ left for Madinah, and before the prayers were enjoined.”
Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq said: “Khadījah and Abū Ṭālib died in the same year.”
Al-Bayhaqī said: “It has reached me that Khadījah died three days after Abū Ṭālib.” This was reported by Abū ʿAbd Allāh ibn Mandah.