AbuTalib

AbuTalib, ʿAbd Manāf ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, is the father of Imam Ali (a), and the uncle and supporter of the Prophet of Islam (s). After his father ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, Abu Talib assumed the position of providing water to the pilgrims of Mecca. He took care of the Prophet from the age of eight and supported him until the end of his life. Because of his nobility, wisdom, and influence among the tribes, Abu Talib was appointed as an arbitrator during disputes. He is regarded as the founder of the tradition of oath-taking when giving testimony to the heirs of the victim, a practice that continued in Islam. Abu Talib was one of the prominent poets of his time, and among his poems is a piece in support of the Prophet (s) known as Qasidat al-Lāmiyya, which he composed during the episode of Shiʿb Abī Ṭālib. Abu Talib’s poems were collected by Abu Hiffān al-Mahzami (3rd century AH) under the title Dīwān Abī Ṭālib. After the Prophet (s) publicly called people to Islam, Abu Talib consistently stood by him against the pressure of the Quraysh, who wanted him to oppose the Prophet or hand him over. During the three-year economic siege against the Muslims, he spent his own wealth to support them. Shi‘a scholars and some Sunni scholars, based on narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt (a) and certain evidences, regard him as a believer, and have written books titled "The Faith of Abu Talib" to prove this.

Biography

ʿAbd Manāf ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim(1) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 121.,,, ibn Khayyāṭ, " Al-Ṭabaqāt Khalīfah" , p. 30.,,, Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p. 11. who is famous by his kunyah, Abu Talib.(2) Ibn ʿAnbah , "ʿUmdat al-Ṭālib" , p. 20. ,,, Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī, "Al-Iṣābah" ,vol. 7, p. 126. Some historians have considered his birth to be more than 80 years before the Hijra.(3) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 125. ,,, al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 2,p. 289. His father, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, was the elder of Mecca and the chief of Quraysh.(4) Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 1, P. 142 and his mother, Fatimah bint ʿAmr ibn ʿĀʾidh ibn ʿImrān, was from the Banu Makhzum tribe.(5) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 92. ,,, al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 2,p. 288.

Wife and Children

Historians mention, regarding Abu Talib and his wife Fatimah bint Asad, that…(6) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p.121-122 . / vol. 8, p. 48 ,,, Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p. 14.

They have mentioned that he had four sons and three daughters. His sons were Talib, ʿAqil, Jaʿfar, and Ali (a).(7) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 121/122. / vol. 8, p. 51 ,,, Abū al-Faraj al-Asfahānī , " Maqātil al-Ṭālibiyyīn" , p. 3. and his daughter was Umm Hani.(8) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1, p. 122. /vol. 8,p. 151. Jumanah and Raytah,(9) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1, p. 122. /vol. 8, p. 48. They were their names. Some have said that he also had a son named Tulayq from another wife named ʿAllah.(10) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 122. /vol. 8, p. 48. Provision of Water for Pilgrims Hāshim ibn ʿAbd Manāf, Abu Talib’s grandfather, was responsible for hosting and providing for the pilgrims (provision of water and hospitality) in the city of Mecca.(11) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 1, p. 64. After Hāshim, his son ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib(12) Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 1, P. 109. ,,, Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p. 13. and after him, his son Abu Talib held this responsibility for three years.(13) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 1, p. 64. It is said that Abu Talib did not have the financial means to continue this work, so he entrusted it to his brother, Abbas.(14) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 1, p. 64. Abu Talib, after the flood in Mecca and the damage to the Kaaba, took responsibility for its repair and ordered that pure funds be used in rebuilding the Kaaba. The Prophet (PBUH) was 25 years old at that time, and the dispute over the placement of the Black Stone occurred during this incident.(15) Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p.19.

Social Status

According to a hadith from Imam Ali (AS), despite his poverty, Abu Talib was the chief of the Quraysh, and before him, no poor person had ever led the Quraysh.(16) Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p. 14. His magnanimity was well-known among the Quraysh. Because of his wisdom and the influence of his speech among the Quraysh, different clans would appoint him as an arbitrator in times of disputes. Abu Talib is considered the founder of the tradition of oath-taking in testimony for the heirs of the slain (Qasamah).(17) al-Nasāʾī , "Sunan al-Nasāʾī" ,vol. 8, p. 3-5. ,,, Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd , "Sharḥ Nahj al-Balāghah" ,vol. 15, p. 219. This tradition continued in Islam as well.(18) Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd , "Sharḥ Nahj al-Balāghah" ,vol. 15, p. 219.

Characteristics

Abu Talib was famous for his generosity.(19) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 2, p. 288. He was also a talented and prominent poet.(20) Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd , "Sharḥ Nahj al-Balāghah" ,vol. 15, p. 219. His poetry in the early Islamic centuries was admired and frequently cited by renowned poets and literary figures.(21) Sībawayh , "Al-Kitāb", vol. 3, p. 260-261. ,,, al-Jāḥiẓ , "Al-Bayān wa al-Tabyīn" ,vol. 3, p. 30. He composed a poem in support of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), which became famous as the Lamiyyah Qasida(22) al-Mufīd. , "Īmān Abī Ṭālib", p. 18. The poems of Abu Talib were compiled by Abu Heffan Mahzami (3rd century AH) under the title Diwan Abu Talib.(23) Abū Hufān and al-Baṣrī ," Abu Talib Diwān," p. 37/46. Death Abu Talib passed away in the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah or mid-month of Shawwal in the tenth year of the Prophethood, at the age of 86, and according to one report, at the age of 90.(24) ) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 125. ,,, Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p. 35. And like his father, Abdul Muttalib.(25) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 119. He was buried in the Jannat al-Mu'alla cemetery located in Mecca.(26) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 2, p. 289. The Prophet (PBUH) called that year, which coincided with the deaths of Abu Talib and his wife Khadijah, the "Year of Sorrow" (Am al-Huzn).(27) al-Maqrīzī , " Imṭāʿ al-Ismāʿ",vol. 1, p. 45. With his death, the pressures on the Muslims increased.(28) Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 2, p. 284. ,,, al-Ṭabarī , " Tārīkh al-Umam wa al-Mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī", vol. 2, p. 68/69.,,, al-Bayhaqī ," Dalāʾil al-Nubuwwah ", p. 349/350. The cemetery in which he was buried is known among Iranians as the "Abu Talib Cemetery."(29) Jaʿfarīān, , "Āsār-e Islāmī-ye Makka va Madīna", p. 161.

Guardianship of the Prophet

After the death of his father, Abdul Muttalib, Abu Talib, according to his father’s will, took on the guardianship of the Prophet (PBUH), who was eight years old.(30) al-Ṭabarī , " Tārīkh al-Umam wa al-Mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī", vol. 2, p. 18.,,, al-Bayhaqī ," Dalāʾil al-Nubuwwah ", vol.2, p. 22. It has been reported that Abu Talib loved him more than his own children, provided him with the best food, placed his bed next to his own, and always tried to keep him by his side.(31) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 119. He also took him along on trading journeys. The meeting of the monk Bahira with the Prophet and the monk’s announcement to Abu Talib about the prophethood of Muhammad has been reported to have occurred on one of these journeys.(32) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 120/121. ,,,al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 1,p. 106. Abu Talib recommended a commercial partnership with Khadijah to Muhammad (PBUH).(33) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 129.,,,al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 1, p.106. And then he went on his behalf to propose to Khadijah.(34) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 1, p. 107. ,,, Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p.20. Some have said that he also delivered the marriage sermon.(35) Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 1, p. 341. ,,, al-Suhailī (d. 581 AH). " Al-Rawḍ al-Anf ",vol. 2, p. 238.,,, Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd , "Sharḥ Nahj al-Balāghah" ,vol. 14, p. 70.

Support of the Prophet

After the Prophet’s (PBUH) public call to Islam, the pressure of the Quraysh on Abu Talib increased.(36) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 1, p. 131. At the Day of Warning (Yawm al-’Indhar), when most of the attendees were from Banu Hashim, some Hashimite members like Abu Lahab scolded him. When, in that same gathering, the Prophet (PBUH) declared Imam Ali (AS) as his brother, successor, and deputy, a group mockingly said to Abu Talib: “He has commanded you to obey your own son.”(37) ) al-Ṭabarī , " Tārīkh al-Umam wa al-Mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī", vol. 2, p. 63. According to historical reports, the leaders of the Quraysh came to Abu Talib three times and asked him either to prevent the Prophet’s call to Islam or to hand him over to the Quraysh.(38)al-Ṭabarī , " Tārīkh al-Umam wa al-Mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī", vol. 2, p. 65-67. ,,,al-Balādhur" Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 2, p. 290-291. ,,, Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 1, p.171/172 He tried to persuade the Quraysh and also to make the Prophet (PBUH) aware of the dangers of his mission.(39) Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 1, p. 171/172.,,, al-Ṭabarī , " Tārīkh al-Umam wa al-Mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī", vol. 2, p. 65-67.

The Quraysh pagans even suggested to Abu Talib to exchange Muhammad (PBUH) for ‘Amarah ibn Walid al-Makhzumi, who was a handsome and intelligent young man.(40) al-Balādhurī ," Ansāb al-Ashrāf " ,vol. 2, p. 290-291.,,, al-Ṭabarī , " Tārīkh al-Umam wa al-Mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī", vol. 2, p. 67.

He was deeply angered by this proposal and rebuked them by composing a poem.(41) Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 1, p. 172/173. And according to one report, he even threatened them with death.(42) Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 1, p. 172/173.,,, al-Ṭabarī , " Tārīkh al-Umam wa al-Mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī", vol. 2, p. 67. Poems by Abu Talib in support of the Prophet (PBUH) have been narrated(43) Ibn Hishām , "Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah" ,vol. 1, p. 173/174. In the seventh year, when he learned of the Quraysh’s plan to kill the Prophet, he composed a poem with the following meaning: “By God! The Quraysh cannot reach you unless I am lying in the grave.”(44) Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 2, p. 31.

Support of the Muslims in the Valley of Abu Talib

Main article: Sha‘b Abu Talib In the seventh year of the Prophethood, after the economic boycott of the Muslims by the Quraysh, Banu Hashim and other Muslims were forced to settle in the area of Sha‘b Abu Talib.(45) Ibn Saʿd , "Al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā",vol. 1,p. 208/209. Abu Talib was among those who spent his wealth to support the Muslims.(46) Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb," Tārīkh al-Yāʿqūbī" ,vol. 1, p. 31. The faith of Abu Talib Some Muslim scholars have differing opinions regarding the faith of Abu Talib. Shia scholars, based on the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them),(47) al-Kulaynī , " Al-Kāfī ", vol. 1, p. 448/449. They believe that Abu Talib had embraced Islam. Some Sunni scholars also, citing evidence such as Abu Talib being washed according to the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) command, the Prophet’s prayers for his forgiveness, his Muslim wife Fatimah bint Asad remaining married to him, and the content of some of his poems, hold the view that he had faith.[48] al-Mufīd. , "Īmān Abī Ṭālib", ,,, al-Mūsawī , " Īmān Abī Ṭālib ", p. 64-143. ,,, Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd , "Sharḥ Nahj al-Balāghah" ,vol. 14, p. 68-83.

Some Sunni scholars have said that Abu Talib did not embrace Islam because he did not recite the Shahada. It has also been mentioned that verse 26 of Surah Al-An‘am(49) Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd , "Sharḥ Nahj al-Balāghah" ,vol. 14, p. 65-66. And verse 113 of Surah At-Tawbah (which forbids the Prophet from seeking forgiveness for polytheists) was revealed regarding Abu Talib. However, in response, it has been said that he did recite the Shahada but kept it secret so that he could continue to support and protect the Prophet.(50) Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd , "Sharḥ Nahj al-Balāghah" ,vol. 14, p. 71-83.

The verses of Surah Al-An‘am were revealed together and do not have separate occasions of revelation; and the verse forbidding supplication was revealed in Medina, after the death of Abu Talib.(51) Ibn Juzayy , "Zād al-Masīr", p. 304-305. ,,, al-Fakhr al-Rāzī , " Al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr", vol. 16, p. 157-158. ,,, al-Suyūṭī , "Al-Durr al-Manthūr", vol. 3, p. 282/283. Therefore, it is not a reason to reject his faith.

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