Abu Talib: Difference between revisions

Abd Manaf b. Abd al-Muttalib b. Hashim known as Abu Talib, the father of Ali b. Abi Talib (a) and the uncle of Muhammad b. Abd Allah (s) was among the nobility of Mecca and the Tribe of Bani Hashim. In Diwan Abu Talib, there are many verses which show his belief in Islam. These verse have been proved to have similar interpretations since their common point is Abu Talib’s mentioning his belief in the Prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (s).

He had the position of Siqayat al-Haj. After Abd al-Muttalib, his father passed away, he took the guardianship of Muhammad (a), his nephew and greatly supported Muhammad (s) during his mission. It is quoted from the Prophet (s), “Quraysh feared me until Abu Talib was alive.” Shaykh Mufid narrated that when Abu Talib passed away, angel Gabriel came to the Prophet (s) and told him, “Go out of Mecca since you have no support in this city.”

Abu Talib was born 35 years before the Prophet (s). His father Abd al-Muttalib was grandfather of the Prophet (s) who was regarded by all Arab tribes as a nobleman and the preacher of prophet Abraham’s (s) monotheism. Abu Talib’s mother was daughter of Amr b. ‘A’idh Makhzumi. Abu Talib was known with his kunya and his name was ‘Abd Manaf.

Abu Talib had four sons and three daughters. His sons in the order of age were Talib, Aqil, Ja’far and Ali (a) and his daughters were Umm Hani, Jammanah and Rabtah. The mother of all his children was Fatima bint Asad. It is reported that he had another child called Taliq whose mother was ‘Illa.

According to a narration from Imam Ali (a) and the reports of historians, although Abu Talib was a needy person, he was a nobleman of Quraysh and dear to them. He had a sheer grandeur and wisdom. About his generosity, it is said that, on the day he gave food to the needy, no one else in Quraysh gave food. He was the first person who made the rule of swearing the guardians of the murdered in pre-Islam Jahiliyya era and later Islam confirmed it. Halabi said, “Following his father’s conduct, he also had forbidden wine to himself.”

Following the order of his father, Abu Talib took the guardianship of his eight-year-old nephew. Accordingly, Ibn Shahr Ashub says, “In his deathbed, Abd al-Muttalib called Abu Talib and told him, ‘O my son! You well know about my love for Muhammad (s); now, how will you observe my will about him?’ Abu Talib answered, ‘Do not advise me about Muhammad (s), since he is my nephew and my son!’ when Abd al-Muttalib passed away, Abu Talib always gave priority to Muhammad (s) over himself and his own family.” Also, Ibn Hisham wrote, “Abu Talib paid a special attention to Muhammad (s) and showed more love to him than his children, provided him best of food and laid him in a bed next to his and always tried to take him with himself. Whenever Abu Talib wanted to give food to his children, he told them, ‘Wait for my son (Muhammad (s)) to come!’”

== The Prophet’s (s) Support ==

Historical reports explain Abu Talib’s unreserved supports of the Prophet (s) against pressures and threats of Quraysh. Although, Abu Talib was 75 years old at the time of the Prophet’s (s) mission, he expressed his supports for the Prophet (s) from the beginning. During his meetings and talks with chiefs of Quraysh, he formally announced his support for the Prophet (s). He even criticized and threatened Quraysh to kill them for their offer for the exchange of the Prophet (s) with Ammara b. Walid Makhzumi who was a handsome, powerful young man. His support for the Prophet (s) was to the extent that he and his wife became like real parents of the Prophet (s).

There are many disputes between Shia and Sunnis over Abu Talib’s belief. Shia believe that Abu Talib was a Muslim according to hadiths narrated from the Ahl al-Bayt (a), while Sunni historians say that Abu Talib did not formally admit Islam and died as a polytheist.

There are different reports on the day and month Abu Talib passed away, but according to Shia sources, he passed away on 26th of Rajab 10 years after the Prophet’s (s) beginning of his mission and three days later Lady Khadija (s) passed away at the age of 85 years old. Some have mentioned his demise happened on 1st of Dhul Qi’dah or Shawwal. The Prophet (s) called that year “ ‘Am al-Huzn ” [“Year of Sadness”]. On the day Abu Talib passed away, the Prophet (s) asked Imam Ali (a) to do the ritual ablution for Abu Talib and shroud him while he (s) was very sorrowful and cried and prayed God for Abu Talib’s forgiveness. When they arrived at the burial place of Abu Talib, the Prophet (s) said, “I ask God for your forgiveness in the manner that all Jinns and people wonder.” He was buried in Mecca beside the grave of his father Abd al-Muttalib in Hujun cemetery.