Abu Talib: Difference between revisions

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 [[Age of Jahiliyya|Jahiliyya era]] and later Islam confirmed it. [[Halabi]] said, "Following [['Abd al-Muttalib|his father]]'s conduct, he also had forbidden wine to himself."

Following the order of [['Abd al-Muttalib|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!"

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 starting point 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 al-Makhzumi who was a handsome, powerful young man. His support for the Prophet (s) was to the extent that he and [[Fatima bt. Asad|his wife]] became like real parents of the Prophet (s).

There are different reports on the day and month Abu Talib passed away, but according to [[Shi'a]] sources, he passed away on 26th of [[Rajab]] 10 years after the Prophet's (s) beginning of his mission (22nd of March, 619) and three days later [[Lady Khadija (a)]] passed away at the age of 85 years old. Some have mentioned his demise happened on 1st of [[Dhu al-Qi'da]] (23rd of June) or [[Shawwal]] (25th of May). 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 [[Jinn|Jinns]] and people wonder." He was buried in [[Mecca]] beside the grave of his father Abd al-Muttalib in [[Hujun cemetery]].