Hazrat Abu Talib a.s
Uncle, Guardian and Protector to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w)
Asalamoalaka ya Hazrat Abu Talib a.s.
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Name: | Abd Manaf Ibin Shaybah Al-Hashim |
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Kunyat: | Abu Talib |
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Father: | Shaybah Al-Hashim or better known as Abdul-Muttalib |
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Mother: | Fatimah |
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Wife: | Fatimah Bint Assad |
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Brothers: | Hamza |
| Abu Lahab | ||
| Abbas , Abdullah (Hazrat Muhammad s.a.w father , he is only real 1 brother of Abu Talib a.s , Abdullah & Abu Talib a.s are from one mother) & other Step Brothers | ||
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Relation: | Uncle, Guardian and Protector to The Prophet (s.a.w) |
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Children: | Taleb |
| Ageel | ||
| Jafar | ||
| Ali(as) The infallible 1st holy Imam & calipha of all Muslims | ||
| Fakhitah (Umm Hani)
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The great chieftan of Bani Hashim Abdul-Muttalib, dying on his death bed, designated his son Abu Taleb to take care of The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hf).
"Son, Mohammad thine nephew will be of great importance, one day. So support him with your hand and tongue!"
So his father Abdul-Muttalib died and Abu Taleb became the Chief of the tribe of Bani Hashim.
He took his brother's son Mohammad to live with him and his family. And his wife Fatimah Bint Assad rejoiced in him and took loving care of the small lad. She preferred him over all of her children.
Abu Taleb love for his young orphaned nephew increased day by day and he admired his good manners and politeness towards everyone. He was proud of the fact that everyone looked at his nephew as being the trusted person of all Mecca.
One day as the family was about to eat. Abu Taleb stopped and withdrew his hand from the food before him and his hungry family and said,
"We shall eat only, until my son Mohammad arrives."
As soon as the little lad arrived and took his place at the table spread. Abu Taleb affectionely offered him the small bowl of fresh yoghurt. Mohammad took it readily and drank his full and emptied it and passed it along to his Uncle who also drank from it and his sons all drank one by one and had their full. Abu Taleb was thankful and said to his nephew,
"Mohammad thy are truly blessed."
When Abu Taleb had finished from his trading in Syria. He returned to Mecca with his nephew, who continued his solitary life as before. But his uncle saw to it that he, as also Abbass and Hamzah, had some training in the use of weapons of war. Abu Taleb had heard stories of the Jews and the Christians of a coming Prophet. He suspected the little lad Mohammad was the Prophet the Ahlu Kitab were talking of and resigned himself in always protecting him and have him with him were ever he went.
Ever since his encounter with the Christian monk named, Buhaira in the city of Basra in Syria underlined his believe even more.
Abu Taleb disliked and spoke out against any kind of persecution and always championed the unfortunate and persecuted against their aggressors. The little boy Mohammad loved his uncle even more for his principles.
One day, a battle took place between the defending tribe of Kinana and the aggressing tribe of Qais. The chief from the tribe of Kinana came to Abu Taleb for help and said,
"Son of the bird feeder and pilgrim water giver, don't be absent from us. We will get victory in your presence!"
Abu Taleb answered,
"I won't be absent from you if you promise to avoid all types of persecution, enmity, rudeness and falsehood!"
The Kinana chief clansman readily agreed to Abu Taleb's conditions and the Hashimite chieftian joined them in battle with Mohammad at his side.
The Alliance of Fodhool
Abu Taleb founded the Alliance of Fodhool. It was an agreement signed by all the Meccan chieftains. According to the agreement they decided to help and protect any pilgrim was was attacked or robbed.
The Khathaamian father shouted for help. And the people told him to rush to Abu Taleb the founder of the Fodhool Alliance.
When the man reached Abu Taleb and pleaded his case. Abu Taleb quickly order some men armed with their swords to look for the girl and bring the abducting people to justice.
Mohammad who was also part of the Fodhool Alliance with the armed men quickly rescued the girl and reunited her with her father. And apprehended the thieves and brought them before the Meccan Elders for punishment.
The unwavering support of Abu Taleb
When Mohammad was fourty years old and had declared his Prophet hood and the attestment of only one God and the religion of Islam. Quarish were openly aggressive but could not move against Mohammad personally as they feared and respected Abu Taleb's high position and standing as a great and powerful Hashimite chieftain.
But to the dismay of Quraysh. The new religion of Islam grew quite rapidily and the idolators of Quraysh became restless and uneasy. So the Quraysh leaders in desperation came to Abu Taleb and demanded he removes his protection from his nephew. But Abu Taleb refused to do so.
"Never. He and I are one!"
In another instance they came to Abu Taleb who was sick and bedridden and angrily demmanded,
"Abu Taleb, you must prevent your nephew from us, because he's weakening our thoughts and insults our gods!"
Abu Taleb saddened because Qurashy did not wish to listen to words of truth. He acknowledged to himself that the situation was becoming desperate. So, he said to them,
"Go, give me time to speak with him."
Abu Taleb related to Mohammad the words of Quraysh. But his nephew replied politely,
"Uncle, I can't disobey my Lord's Command!"But for Quraysh that wasn't good enough for they truely feared Mohammad and his new founded religion for their position, wealth and standing in Mecca and Arabia. So Abu Jahal the most spiteful of them all proposed desperately.
"We'll give him whatever he wants and demands of our wealth and money. Rather, we'll make him king over all of us, if that what he wants!"
The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) answered,
"I want nothing, but only one word."Abu Jahal quickly said.
"Yes, what's the word? We'll give you as ten times of it!"
The Messenger of Allah (swt) replied.
"Say, that there's no other god but Allah!"On hearing Mohammad's answerer Abu Jahal turn full red in the face and was filled with anger and snapped back.
"Ask us of another word instead!"
The Holy Prophet of God (pbuh&hf) said.
"If you brought me the sun and placed it in my right hand, I'd not ask other than that word!"The tension in the air increase from Quraysh elders who were angry of Mohammad's demand. The polytheists all stood up and started to threaten Mohammad, when Abu Taleb intervened and they stompped out in anger. And Abu Taleb sighed and turned to his nephew and said.
"Son, save your soul and don't overburden me."
The Holy Prophet eyes filled with tears and answered.
"Uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon on my left hand, just to leave this matter. I'd not leave it till Allah supports it or I perish for it!"Abu Taleb wept at his nephew's words, and gestured his nephew to draw closer to him and kissed him and said surely and softly.
" Nephew, go and say whatever you like. By Allah, I'll never leave you alone!"
Then Abu Taleb smiled at his orphaned nephew and rejoiced in a small song.
"By Allah, they all won't reach you.
Till a pillow of dust will be put under my head.
And till I'll be buried."
Life for a life
Still the wicked tyrants of Quraysh was relentless and once again came to Abu Taleb and tried another way of persuasion and said to him.
Abu Taleb was shocked and sorry to hear of their distasteful idea and he angrily said.
"Do you give me your son to feed him for you, while I give you my son for you to kill!
By God! Have you ever seen a she camel take a pity on another other than its own young?"
The polytheists anger and frustration increased and they intensed their harm over the followers of Mohammad by imprisoning and torturing them. And Abu Taleb feared gravely now even more over his nephew.
Protection of the Bani Hashim
Under the protective wing of his Uncle Abu Taleb, The Holy Prophet Mohammad Al-Mustafa (pbuh&hf) went on preaching the new religion to bring to the people into the light of God's the good tidings and to leave the wickness of the darkness of the life they used to live idolising pagan gods of stone and wood.
However, after the confrontation with Quraysh Abu Taleb feared for Mohammad's safety and would go after him if he were to be delayed.
One day Abu Taleb called upon his clansmen of Bani Hashim to swear to protect and save Mohammad. All accepted but for the wicked Abu Lahab who was AbuTaleb's brother and Uncle to Mohammad.
For Abu Lahab and his wife the wood collector both disliked Mohammad and his new religon and were in favour with Quraysh argument.
One day Khadeejah was worried for the safety of Mohammad her husband, as he had not returned from the desert that evening for his meal. She quickly ran to Abu Taleb and told him of her worry.
Abu Taleb had heard that Abu Jahal and other polytheists were planning to kill his nephew Mohammad. So he and his son Jafar immediately went to the surrounding hills of Mecca looking for Mohammad, fearing for the worst. They looked every where for him all day long.
Finally they found him in solemn prayer with him Mohammad's cousin and Abu Taleb's youngest son Ali praying behind him on his right hand side. Abu Taleb looked and took pity at the sight of the two worshipers like a bird with one wing. And he wept joyfully and said to his son Jafar.
"Go and complete your good cousin's wing."
And Jafar immediately took his position behind the Prophet's left side alongside that of his younger's brother side and all prayed to Allah. Hence Mohammad was flanked by either side with Ali and Jafar and the bird's wing was complete.
In another instance again Mohammad went missing for a very long time and Abu Taleb feared that Mohammad was killed. So he went to all the frequent sites that his nephew would visit and indulge in prayer in the desert, but he was nowhere to be seen.
So, on his return from the desert Abu Taleb called upon all the Bani Hashim tribe and said solemly to them.
"Each one of you must take a strong iron bar and conceal it under your robes. When I enter the mosque, each one of you must follow and take a seat and sit beside a Qurayshian leader. And each of you must kill the Qurayshian leader with your concealed weapon, beside him, if it is known that Mohammad had been murdered!"
The men of Bani Hashim obeyed their chief clansman Abu Taleb and each took their position beside a heathen paganist leader and waited for the news of Mohammad's death.
Abu Taleb waited in silence in the mosque amongst the Quraysh leaders. When suddenly Zaid Ibin Harithah , Mohammad's faithful servant rushed into the mosque and knelt beside Abu Taleb and wispered into his ear that his nephew Mohammad had returned and was safe in his home with his wife Khadeejah.
Abu Taleb face lit up with joy and rose silently without a word and signaled for his men to withdraw after him. Only then did Quraysh become to know and realised what had Abu Taleb had intended for all of them, and they became fearfull and weary of Abu Taleb since that day. And one of them committed.
"Abu Taleb would readily destroy us and Quraysh for which his family is part of, just for the sake of his nephew Mohammad."
Open Abuse on his nephew
In another instance, Mohammad was praying in the public square before the Kaba when a young came up to the praying Prophet and through a mixture of animal blood and waste at Mohammad. All the polytheists began laughing out aloud.
Abu Taleb was angered and told Mohammad to go home and wash up and he would shortly follow. Abu Taleb went to his house and got his sword and ordered his boy to collect all the waste from his house and to follow him. The Hashimite chief then proceeded to the mosque followed by his boy carrying the waste. He came up to the still jeering and laughing polytheists leaders who were rechanting to the people gathered before them what they had done to Muhammad earlier.
He stopped in front of them with his sword in one hand and starred coldly at the idolators one by one in the eye. He then ordered his boy to through the waste he was carrying onto the polytheists standing before him.
All of the Qurayshian leaders were covered in filth and begged for him to stop his boy from throughing anymore filth at them.
"Enough, Abu Taleb that's enough!"
"This is so you will understand. Mohammad is under my protection and any harm comes to him. I'll bring harm to man who harms him!"
The Ban
It was now cristal clear to Quraysh that Abu Taleb resolved was strong in protecting his nephew even it meant the sacrifice of his life and that of the Bani Hashim. So they gathered and pondered in another strategy. An enomic boycott and social ban on any dealings with the tribe of Bani Hashim. They wouldn't trade with them, have any inter-marriage with them, or have any dealings with them whatsoever, a complete boycott of Bani Hasshim.
Quraysh expected Abu Taleb's to surcome to their will and surrender Mohammad to them. But the wise old man known also as the Shaikh Al-Batha refused and instead took his tribe to a safe valley between two moutains, to protect even more Mohammad against any possible assination from from Quraysh and well as from within his tribemen.
Abu Taleb keep close vigilance on the work of closing the opening of the valley in case Quraysh tried to attack them. And even at his age Abu Taleb with his brother Hamzah and some other men of Bani Hashim stood guard at the entrance of the valley.
Abu Taleb every night moved the place of Mohammad's bed in secrecy as a precaution and let only his most trusted and loyal men guard his nephew. He sometimes will tell his son Ali to sleep in Mohammad's bed. Again he would do so to expidite the success of Mohammad's flight from Quraysh to Yathrib in the following years.
Many days and months passed. The besiged were in complete isolation. They suffered from pains of hunger and deprivation. When the time of pilgrimage came, they left their safe valley to shop for food and clothes.
But Quraysh brought all the food and clothes preventing the Bani Hashim opportunity to get any food and other supplies. Still Abu Taleb remained strong in his resolve and was fearless and resolute in his belief of his nephew and never ceased to protect him. Abu Taleb commented that when he looked at his nephew's face it is as if he was seeing his younge handsome brother Abdullah Mohammad's father.
Months and months had passed and the boycott had taken it toil. Their patience and hunger increased they started eating the leaves of the trees, and the children cried and moaned from their hunger and thirst.
Good Tidings from the Lord
One day the Holy Prophet Mohammad came to his Uncle. He was filled with joy and happiness, and he said to his Uncle.
"Uncle, my Lord had commanded the white ants to eat the paper of the Quraysh Ban.Abu Taleb happily inquired.
So, it has been all eaten up except for Allah's name!"
"Has your Lord told you this?"
Mohammad replied.
"Yes, Uncle."Abu Taleb heart was filled joy and he rushed to Mecca at the mosque where the leaders of Quraysh sat. As he entered, all stood up for him as a respect of his standing as the Chief Clansman of Bani Hashim tribe. They all were happy with themselves and expected Abu Taleb's deafeat and his surrender due to the pressure of their Ban. But instead, Abu Taleb suprised and shock them with his words of defiance.
"Leaders of Quraysh. My nephew has told me that Allah had commanded the white ants to eat your contract of your Ban against us the Bani Hashim. So, it's all been eaten up, but His name!"
They laughed at him, but he again sounded with a defiant challenge to them.
"Go and check for yourselves and end this foolish Ban immediately."
All were quiet for a long while. Then after the initial shock had lapsed, Abu Jahal sneered.
"And if Mohammad lies?"
Abu Taleb turned to look coldly into Abu Jahal's eyes and said.
"Then, I'll hand over to you my nephew."
The leaders of Quraysh looked at each other in agreement and all followed the old Chief of Bani Hashim Abu Taleb out of the mosque to the Kabah. They immeadiately opened the doors to the Kabah and found that truely the white ants had eaten away the contract that they all had signed. Only the writing left was Allah's written name! The boycott ended and all of Bani Hashim rejoiced within the Meccan valley returned triumphantly to their homes.
The Demise of Abu Taleb
Soon after the Ban of Bani Hashim. Abu Taleb, who now was well over eighty years old became frail and was confined to his bed. He became weaker and weaker every day and he feared for his nephews wellfare after his death. For after his death Quraysh would fear no-one and they would kill Mohammad without further delay.
On day the leaders of Quraysh visited Abu Taleb at his home on his sickbed. The leaders of Quraysh said to the old man.
"Abu Taleb, you're our Shaikh and Master, and you're about to die. So, put an end to the enmity between your nephew and us. Tell him to stop hurting us and we'll stop hurting him. Tell him to leave us with our religion, and we'll leave him with his religion."
Abu Taleb sighed heavily with sadness and looked up at Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan and all the other leaders of Quraysh and said to them in a faint pleading voice.
"If you only hear Mohammad's words and obey his commands, you'll surely rejoice. So, why not heed him and get happiness here in this world and in the hereafter!"
The leaders of Quraysh all stood up over Abu Taleb, and Abu Jahal said spitefully.
"Do you want us to sacfrice all our gods for his One God? Never!"
And they all stomped out of Abu Taleb's house in anger.
Abu Taleb now was very anxious of Mohammad's safety and welfare so, he immeadiately called upon elders of his tribe the Bani Hashim to gather around him. He said to them.
"I order you tribesmen of Bani Hashim to always protect and give every support to Mohammad my nephew at any cost after my death."
They all replied their readiness to obey their old master.
Abu Taleb knew this was not enough but felt better in the belief that Mohammad would not be alone and his tribesmen would at least provide what support and protection they could muster against the powerfull menacing leaders of Quraysh, for his nephew.
He looked up at his sons Taleb, Ageel, Jafar and Ali, and bade them farewell. He then took hold of his younger brother Hamzah's strong hand and urged him to protect their nephew from any harm and danger.
Finally the old dying man look deep into the tearful eyes of his beloved nephew Mohammad, and wept softly. Then he sighed heavily and closed his eyes for the last time and died peacefully.
The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hf) kissed his uncle lovingly on his forehead and mourned him, by saying.
Uncle, may Allah have mercy on you. You had educated me when I was small, looked after me when I became an orphan, and supported me when I became a grown man. So may Allah reward you a lot."And all of Abu Taleb's sons, family and the tribe of Bani Hashim wept and mourned for the loss of Abu Taleb their great Arab Chieftian of Quraysh.
In contrast the leaders of Quraysh rejoiced on the news of Abu Taleb's death, and Abu Jahal with glee remarked out aloud.
s"Now at last I can get my revenge on Mohammad!"
Only a few weeks after Mohammad's Uncle Abu Taleb had died, his beloved wife Khadeejah also died. And Mohammad was greatly saddened and hence named that year, the Year of Saddness. And Quraysh increased their open hostilities and aggression towards Mohammad and his family and followers.
One day a man threw some mud on Mohammad face. So he went home to bathe.While his daughter Fatimah(as) was washing his head from the mud. She began to weep. Her father Mohammad patted her little head and said.
"Little daughter don't weep. Allah will protect your father. He'll protect your father from all enemies of His religion and of His Mission!"The holy Archangel Jibraeel came down from the sky saying to Mohammad.
"O Mohammad, go thee out of Mecca. Your supporter has died."
TABLE CONTENT OF ABU TALIB BOOK
Historical evidences of Abu Talib (A)'s firm
faith in Prophet (S)
Sender: Salem Al-Jabr
By: Abdullah al-Khunayzi (Saudi author of historic book “Momin-i-Quraysh”. He was severely punished by the government for writing this book)
Sender: Salem Al-Jabr
By: Abdullah al-Khunayzi (Saudi author of historic book “Momin-i-Quraysh”. He was severely punished by the government for writing this book)
Leadership and sovereignty wouldn't be gained without plenty of
money but although Abu Talib (a) was not so rich, he was the respected leader,
the first master and the obeyed chief and this might be the characteristic of
Abu Talib alone and no one else other than him.
Even though he was empty-handed but he had a great rich spirit. He was so great with his qualities and virtues and no one would ever replace him.
The existence of Abu Talib (a) after Abdul Muttalib (a) was an inevitable necessity. Such deportment had to be a sign for a divine mission, which would shine to drive the dark cloud prevailing over the existence away. But it might be surprising for those, who used to live under the darkness and that it might be too difficult for them to open their eyes before a bright lamp.
No one would deny that the personality of Abu Talib had all the qualities of the well-quallified leader, the virtuous aspects and the high excellences, which made him distinguished from all around him and surrounded him with a halo of respect and admiration.
Many qualities gathered into the personality of Abu Talib; greatness, exaltedness and self-making. He was the adopter of the orphan Muhammad, the protector and supporter of Prophet Muhammad and the believer in Muhammad's mission. He was Sheikhul Bat~ha' and Baydhatul Balad.
It had been decided by the Heaven that Abu Talib would undertake this task and he carried out the task in the best way. He supported the mission of the Heaven as possible as he could.
Ibn Assakir mentioned in his book that Jalhama bin Arfata had said: (2) "Once I came to Mecca where it was a year of rainlessness. Some said: Let's go to al-Lat and al-Ozza. Another said: Let's go to Manat. A prudent handsome old man said: Why do you turn away whereas the remainder of Abraham and the progeny of Ishmael is among you? They said: As if you mean Abu Talib! He said: Yes, I do.
They all, and I was with them, went to Abu Talib. We knocked at the door. A pretty-faced man wearing loincloth came out. They rushed to him and said: O Abu Talib, the valley became rainless and people became miserable. Would you please pray to Allah for rain?
Abu Talib went out with a little boy; it was Muhammad, who was as a sun appearing among dark clouds. Abu Talib took the boy and stuck his back to the Kaaba. The boy pointed to the Heaven with his finger suppliantly. There was no a bit of cloud in the sky. The clouds began to come from here and there. The valley was filled with water and the ground became green and fresh."
With these high qualities, virtues and excellences Abu Talib had had his high position and made the hearts submit to him lovingly, surround him with respect and glorification and let the leadership to be for him alone ... and who would be better than him for that? He was like his father; a carpet was put to him around the Kaaba and he sat on it alone. Muhammad came and sat with his uncle on the carpet. Abu Talib said: "My nephew feels blessedness or great glory."
Signs:
The poetry of Abu Talib (a) had evidence showing that he had known about the prophethood of Muhammad (s) before he was sent as prophet according to what the monk Buhayra had told him and according to many other signs. The knowing of Abu Talib about the prophet-hood of Muhammad (s) was mentioned by many historians besides that it was understood through his poetry.
Imam Abudl Wahid as-Safaqissi
As-Seera an-Nabawiyya, vol.1 p.88.
Abu Talib said: "My father read all of the books. He had said: From among my progeny there will be a prophet. I wish I live until that moment to believe in him. Whoever of my progeny attains him is to believe in him." (1)
Abu Talib was not in need of this saying to show new evidence about the prophecy because his belief was deep-rooted and his faith was firm. He had many evidences even that one of them was enough to prove his intent. These clear evidences confirmed the faith of Abu Talib, who had never been hesitant at any moment.
He had known definitely and without any bit of doubt that his nephew would be that expected prophet, about whom he and his father had read in the divine books and the divine missions had talked about since the first days of their revelation.
Besides that certain knowledge Abu Talib saw clear signs and bright evidences that no one would but to submit to. He saw some of those signs while his father Abdul Muttalib was still alive. Abdul Muttalib often saw some of those signs and informed Abu Talib of them. But today as he was the first guardian of his orphan nephew, he would see many many of those signs, which no day passed or no cloud traveled away unless he would see a sign of the prophecy through its folds.
He saw in his nephew things, aspects and qualities that would never be of an ordinary man, who would live and die as if nothing had happened ... certainly not! He saw in his nephew the most perfect image of the creation of Allah since the creation of Adam until the Day of Resurrection. He saw that his nephew was the ideal copy of the exaltedness of man with the highest values.
Among those many signs -rather than the spiritual and moral signs- there were many touchable signs that even the materialists, who didn't see but by their eyes and didn't touch but by their hands, would easily feel them so how about the prudent, the discerning and the faithful persons!
We don't want to wedge the signs and evidences available in the different books in this book for it needs a long time but we just want to show the reader some of them as examples.
The Spring:
The historians mentioned that among the signs that preceded the prophethood of the Prophet (s) was that one day Muhammad was with his uncle Abu Talib in Thul Majaz. (1) Abu Talib felt thirsty and there was no water with them at all. He told his nephew about his thirst. Muhammad (s) kicked a rock with his leg and water began to flow. Abu Talib drank and then Muhammad (s) kicked the rock again and it returned to its previous state. (1)
With the Diviner:
A man of Lihb (2) was a diviner. Whenever he came to Makkah, the men of Quraysh came to him with their boys to predict about them. One of those men was Abu Talib, who had come with his nephew Muhammad (s). The diviner looked at Muhammad (s) and then he became busy with another thing. When he finished he said: "The boy! Bring me the boy!"
When Abu Talib saw that the diviner paid much attention to the boy, he became afraid and felt there was something. He thought that he had to hide his nephew so that the diviner's piercing eyes wouldn't glance at him. The diviner shouted: "O you! Bring me the boy, whom I just saw. By Allah, he will be of great importance!" (3)
This word of the diviner was not new for Abu Talib because he knew well that his nephew would be of great importance.
You are blessed:
Abu Talib saw a clear thing showing a bright sign since Muhammad (s) had joined his family after the death of Abdul Muttalib. Abu Talib's family was numerous and he was not wealthy. This wouldn't let his family be satiated when having their meals. But whenever Muhammad (s) was among them at the meal, the all would be satiated and some food would remain yet. So Abu Talib often said to his family when it was the time of the meals and he didn't see his nephew among them: "Don't eat until my son comes!"
Anyone of his family would drink the entire cup of milk but Abu Talib took the cup to let Muhammad (s) drink first and then the all would drink from the very cup. Then Abu Talib said to his nephew: "You are blessed."
To Sham:
Abu Talib's care for Muhammad (s) reached an extent beyond description. Their two souls united that it was difficult for each of them to separate from the other. When Muhammad (s) saw that his uncle was preparing to travel, he became upset and uncomfortable that the travel might be long. He wouldn't tolerate this separation and it wouldn't be easy for him to resort to a fortress protecting him from the gales save this merciful old man. If he traveled, then who would pat upon his shoulder, who would join him to his warm chest, who would grant him pity and sympathy to make him forget his orphancy?
As soon as Muhammad (s) saw his uncle stepping towards his sumpter, his tears began to fall from his eyes towards his cheeks.
When this merciful old man saw the tears of the orphan falling down, his compassionate heart began to beat and couldn't tolerate his nephew's words: "O uncle, to whom will you leave me? Neither a father nor a mother I have."
Abu Talib couldn't but to say: "By Allah, I won't go without him. I won't part from him nor will be part from me at all."
He took him on the same sumpter to be near to each other always. The caravan went on through the desert until it reached Busra; a country in Sham. They stopped to rest after a long travel. (1) There was a monk called Buhayra living in his cell. But it was the first time for the caravan to see this monk. As much as they traveled through this land but they hadn't met or talked with this monk.
The monk came out of his cell and saw the caravan. There was something that drew his attention. There was a cloud moving to shadow one of those in the caravan. When the caravan stopped, the monk noticed another thing. He noticed that the tree, which they stopped near, bent it branches to shadow the same one, who had been shadowed by the cloud.
He was so astonished but when he remembered who was there between the lines of the holy Book he had, his astonishment left his prudent mind. He came down from his cell, ordered his companions to serve food and invited the caravan saying: "O people of Quraysh, I have served some food for you. I like that all of you; the little boys and the old men, the servants and the masters to come."
One from among the caravan said: "O Buhayra, by Allah you have something in your mind today. We passed by you times and times but you did never do such a thing for us. What is the matter today?"
They accepted his invitation and came with him except one, who was the very point of the monk's attention. It was Muhammad (s), who stayed under the tree with the baggage.
The monk's eyes roved hear and there but they didn't see what they looked for.
O Buhayra, all of them were here except a little boy. He stayed with the baggage.
But the questions of Buhayra wouldn't stop unless that little boy came. Some one went to bring the boy. The deep examining looks of the monk began to check some things of the boy's body to find the description he had read in the holy Book about this great boy.
When they finished eating their food, Buhayra began to ask Muhammad (s) some questions to be sure about what he had in his mind.
The Monk turned to Abu Talib asking: What relation is between you and this boy?"
Abu Talib said: "He is my son."
The monk said: "He is not your son. His father must not be alive."
Abu Talib said: "He died while his mother was expecting him."
The monk said: "You are true. Go back with your nephew to your country and be careful of the Jews. By Allah, if they see him and know what I know, they will do their best to do away with him. Your nephew will be of great importance. Hurry up with him to your country."
(1 As-Seera al-Hishamiyya, vol.1 p.191-194, As-Seera an-Nabawiyya, vol.1 p.90-92, as-Seera al-Halabiyya, vol.1 p.139-142, at-Tabari's Tareekh, vol.2 p.22-24, al-Kamil by ibnul Atheer, vol.2 p.23-24, Qissas al-Arab, vol.1 p.99-100, Biharul Anwar, vol.6 p.59-61, 62, 129, 130, Abu Talib p.31).
Muhammad (s) came back with his uncle after seeing different sides of life and after roving through a new world rather than Makkah, in which he lived and grew.
Abu Talib came back with his nephew more carefully, surrounding him with care and love. He strived with caution to protect him from that fatal group, the wicked Jews, who intended if they could to cut this bud before blooming.
These images wouldn't leave Abu Talib's imagination. They were engraved inside his mind. He wanted to record them in order to be engraved upon the forehead of the time to be read by all the generations so he documented them in his poetry:
The son of Aamina, (1) Prophet Muhammad to me
was much lovelier than my sons.
When he clung to the rain I pitied him
whereas the camels were about to set out
my eyes rained with tears like scattered pearls.
I considered his close relation and regarded the will of
the grandfather.
I asked him to travel with generous, brave uncles,
who moved to the farthest known place,
until they reached Busra and saw a monk,
who told them a truthful talk about him,
who must be protected against the enviers;
the Jews, who strived to kill Muhammad when seeing the signs.
Abu Talib recorded this event with his verses and showed the situation of Buhayra the monk when he stood against the three Jewish rabbis, who plotted to kill Muhammad, the expected prophet:
They came deciding to kill Muhammad
but he prevented them by showing what the Torah had.
He said to them: you intend the worst of aims;
do you want to kill Prophet Muhammad?
Then you be disgraced with your sins!
Your evil will never be.
There is a One to protect him against every intrigue!
That is one of his signs,
and the light of day is not like the darkness. (1)
After all that we don't doubt that Abu Talib was certain about the great future of his nephew after he had seen all those signs, which he paid his full attention and care for, because what happened wouldn't make anyone indifferent to because what happened were extraordinary things.
All those signs and evidences Abu Talib saw in his nephew, he wouldn't see in anyone else.
Why the diviner asked him to bring him back the boy whereas he had met many many others? Why did he say: "He will be of great importance?"
Then the care of the monk Buhayra towards the caravan whereas the caravan used to pass by the cell since a long time without attracting a bit of Buhayra's attention so why it was so that day?
And the conversation between Buhayra and Abu Talib, which had firm evidence ... Abu Talib said that he was his son but Buhayra answered with no any doubt that he was not Abu Talib's son and that his father would not be alive and then he warned him of the Jews because he would be of great importance! They were clear signs on doubt!
These evidences, besides what he had heard from his father Abdul Muttalib, the blessedness of this boy when he participated them in their meals, the flowing water from the rock, which this boy had kicked, the cloud that traveled with the caravan to shadow this boy and the branches of the tree when bending to shadow this blessed boy made Abu Talib believe definitely that his nephew would be greater than the others at all.
Abu Talib saw all that in his nephew besides the personal qualities and virtues such as his truthfulness, honesty, ideality of morals, kindness, gentleness, eloquence ... to the infinite chain of good aspects and high qualities he had. This made Abu Talib think a lot about this boy, whose qualities were not found in that low society with its bad traditions and low habits. Not only Abu Talib had noticed these nonesuch qualities in his nephew but also all the people of Mecca. They called him the truthful, the trustworthy. They all accepted him to judge between them. He talked and they believed and he ordered and they obeyed.
Even though he was empty-handed but he had a great rich spirit. He was so great with his qualities and virtues and no one would ever replace him.
The existence of Abu Talib (a) after Abdul Muttalib (a) was an inevitable necessity. Such deportment had to be a sign for a divine mission, which would shine to drive the dark cloud prevailing over the existence away. But it might be surprising for those, who used to live under the darkness and that it might be too difficult for them to open their eyes before a bright lamp.
No one would deny that the personality of Abu Talib had all the qualities of the well-quallified leader, the virtuous aspects and the high excellences, which made him distinguished from all around him and surrounded him with a halo of respect and admiration.
Many qualities gathered into the personality of Abu Talib; greatness, exaltedness and self-making. He was the adopter of the orphan Muhammad, the protector and supporter of Prophet Muhammad and the believer in Muhammad's mission. He was Sheikhul Bat~ha' and Baydhatul Balad.
It had been decided by the Heaven that Abu Talib would undertake this task and he carried out the task in the best way. He supported the mission of the Heaven as possible as he could.
Ibn Assakir mentioned in his book that Jalhama bin Arfata had said: (2) "Once I came to Mecca where it was a year of rainlessness. Some said: Let's go to al-Lat and al-Ozza. Another said: Let's go to Manat. A prudent handsome old man said: Why do you turn away whereas the remainder of Abraham and the progeny of Ishmael is among you? They said: As if you mean Abu Talib! He said: Yes, I do.
They all, and I was with them, went to Abu Talib. We knocked at the door. A pretty-faced man wearing loincloth came out. They rushed to him and said: O Abu Talib, the valley became rainless and people became miserable. Would you please pray to Allah for rain?
Abu Talib went out with a little boy; it was Muhammad, who was as a sun appearing among dark clouds. Abu Talib took the boy and stuck his back to the Kaaba. The boy pointed to the Heaven with his finger suppliantly. There was no a bit of cloud in the sky. The clouds began to come from here and there. The valley was filled with water and the ground became green and fresh."
With these high qualities, virtues and excellences Abu Talib had had his high position and made the hearts submit to him lovingly, surround him with respect and glorification and let the leadership to be for him alone ... and who would be better than him for that? He was like his father; a carpet was put to him around the Kaaba and he sat on it alone. Muhammad came and sat with his uncle on the carpet. Abu Talib said: "My nephew feels blessedness or great glory."
Signs:
The poetry of Abu Talib (a) had evidence showing that he had known about the prophethood of Muhammad (s) before he was sent as prophet according to what the monk Buhayra had told him and according to many other signs. The knowing of Abu Talib about the prophet-hood of Muhammad (s) was mentioned by many historians besides that it was understood through his poetry.
Imam Abudl Wahid as-Safaqissi
As-Seera an-Nabawiyya, vol.1 p.88.
Abu Talib said: "My father read all of the books. He had said: From among my progeny there will be a prophet. I wish I live until that moment to believe in him. Whoever of my progeny attains him is to believe in him." (1)
Abu Talib was not in need of this saying to show new evidence about the prophecy because his belief was deep-rooted and his faith was firm. He had many evidences even that one of them was enough to prove his intent. These clear evidences confirmed the faith of Abu Talib, who had never been hesitant at any moment.
He had known definitely and without any bit of doubt that his nephew would be that expected prophet, about whom he and his father had read in the divine books and the divine missions had talked about since the first days of their revelation.
Besides that certain knowledge Abu Talib saw clear signs and bright evidences that no one would but to submit to. He saw some of those signs while his father Abdul Muttalib was still alive. Abdul Muttalib often saw some of those signs and informed Abu Talib of them. But today as he was the first guardian of his orphan nephew, he would see many many of those signs, which no day passed or no cloud traveled away unless he would see a sign of the prophecy through its folds.
He saw in his nephew things, aspects and qualities that would never be of an ordinary man, who would live and die as if nothing had happened ... certainly not! He saw in his nephew the most perfect image of the creation of Allah since the creation of Adam until the Day of Resurrection. He saw that his nephew was the ideal copy of the exaltedness of man with the highest values.
Among those many signs -rather than the spiritual and moral signs- there were many touchable signs that even the materialists, who didn't see but by their eyes and didn't touch but by their hands, would easily feel them so how about the prudent, the discerning and the faithful persons!
We don't want to wedge the signs and evidences available in the different books in this book for it needs a long time but we just want to show the reader some of them as examples.
The Spring:
The historians mentioned that among the signs that preceded the prophethood of the Prophet (s) was that one day Muhammad was with his uncle Abu Talib in Thul Majaz. (1) Abu Talib felt thirsty and there was no water with them at all. He told his nephew about his thirst. Muhammad (s) kicked a rock with his leg and water began to flow. Abu Talib drank and then Muhammad (s) kicked the rock again and it returned to its previous state. (1)
With the Diviner:
A man of Lihb (2) was a diviner. Whenever he came to Makkah, the men of Quraysh came to him with their boys to predict about them. One of those men was Abu Talib, who had come with his nephew Muhammad (s). The diviner looked at Muhammad (s) and then he became busy with another thing. When he finished he said: "The boy! Bring me the boy!"
When Abu Talib saw that the diviner paid much attention to the boy, he became afraid and felt there was something. He thought that he had to hide his nephew so that the diviner's piercing eyes wouldn't glance at him. The diviner shouted: "O you! Bring me the boy, whom I just saw. By Allah, he will be of great importance!" (3)
This word of the diviner was not new for Abu Talib because he knew well that his nephew would be of great importance.
You are blessed:
Abu Talib saw a clear thing showing a bright sign since Muhammad (s) had joined his family after the death of Abdul Muttalib. Abu Talib's family was numerous and he was not wealthy. This wouldn't let his family be satiated when having their meals. But whenever Muhammad (s) was among them at the meal, the all would be satiated and some food would remain yet. So Abu Talib often said to his family when it was the time of the meals and he didn't see his nephew among them: "Don't eat until my son comes!"
Anyone of his family would drink the entire cup of milk but Abu Talib took the cup to let Muhammad (s) drink first and then the all would drink from the very cup. Then Abu Talib said to his nephew: "You are blessed."
To Sham:
Abu Talib's care for Muhammad (s) reached an extent beyond description. Their two souls united that it was difficult for each of them to separate from the other. When Muhammad (s) saw that his uncle was preparing to travel, he became upset and uncomfortable that the travel might be long. He wouldn't tolerate this separation and it wouldn't be easy for him to resort to a fortress protecting him from the gales save this merciful old man. If he traveled, then who would pat upon his shoulder, who would join him to his warm chest, who would grant him pity and sympathy to make him forget his orphancy?
As soon as Muhammad (s) saw his uncle stepping towards his sumpter, his tears began to fall from his eyes towards his cheeks.
When this merciful old man saw the tears of the orphan falling down, his compassionate heart began to beat and couldn't tolerate his nephew's words: "O uncle, to whom will you leave me? Neither a father nor a mother I have."
Abu Talib couldn't but to say: "By Allah, I won't go without him. I won't part from him nor will be part from me at all."
He took him on the same sumpter to be near to each other always. The caravan went on through the desert until it reached Busra; a country in Sham. They stopped to rest after a long travel. (1) There was a monk called Buhayra living in his cell. But it was the first time for the caravan to see this monk. As much as they traveled through this land but they hadn't met or talked with this monk.
The monk came out of his cell and saw the caravan. There was something that drew his attention. There was a cloud moving to shadow one of those in the caravan. When the caravan stopped, the monk noticed another thing. He noticed that the tree, which they stopped near, bent it branches to shadow the same one, who had been shadowed by the cloud.
He was so astonished but when he remembered who was there between the lines of the holy Book he had, his astonishment left his prudent mind. He came down from his cell, ordered his companions to serve food and invited the caravan saying: "O people of Quraysh, I have served some food for you. I like that all of you; the little boys and the old men, the servants and the masters to come."
One from among the caravan said: "O Buhayra, by Allah you have something in your mind today. We passed by you times and times but you did never do such a thing for us. What is the matter today?"
They accepted his invitation and came with him except one, who was the very point of the monk's attention. It was Muhammad (s), who stayed under the tree with the baggage.
The monk's eyes roved hear and there but they didn't see what they looked for.
O Buhayra, all of them were here except a little boy. He stayed with the baggage.
But the questions of Buhayra wouldn't stop unless that little boy came. Some one went to bring the boy. The deep examining looks of the monk began to check some things of the boy's body to find the description he had read in the holy Book about this great boy.
When they finished eating their food, Buhayra began to ask Muhammad (s) some questions to be sure about what he had in his mind.
The Monk turned to Abu Talib asking: What relation is between you and this boy?"
Abu Talib said: "He is my son."
The monk said: "He is not your son. His father must not be alive."
Abu Talib said: "He died while his mother was expecting him."
The monk said: "You are true. Go back with your nephew to your country and be careful of the Jews. By Allah, if they see him and know what I know, they will do their best to do away with him. Your nephew will be of great importance. Hurry up with him to your country."
(1 As-Seera al-Hishamiyya, vol.1 p.191-194, As-Seera an-Nabawiyya, vol.1 p.90-92, as-Seera al-Halabiyya, vol.1 p.139-142, at-Tabari's Tareekh, vol.2 p.22-24, al-Kamil by ibnul Atheer, vol.2 p.23-24, Qissas al-Arab, vol.1 p.99-100, Biharul Anwar, vol.6 p.59-61, 62, 129, 130, Abu Talib p.31).
Muhammad (s) came back with his uncle after seeing different sides of life and after roving through a new world rather than Makkah, in which he lived and grew.
Abu Talib came back with his nephew more carefully, surrounding him with care and love. He strived with caution to protect him from that fatal group, the wicked Jews, who intended if they could to cut this bud before blooming.
These images wouldn't leave Abu Talib's imagination. They were engraved inside his mind. He wanted to record them in order to be engraved upon the forehead of the time to be read by all the generations so he documented them in his poetry:
The son of Aamina, (1) Prophet Muhammad to me
was much lovelier than my sons.
When he clung to the rain I pitied him
whereas the camels were about to set out
my eyes rained with tears like scattered pearls.
I considered his close relation and regarded the will of
the grandfather.
I asked him to travel with generous, brave uncles,
who moved to the farthest known place,
until they reached Busra and saw a monk,
who told them a truthful talk about him,
who must be protected against the enviers;
the Jews, who strived to kill Muhammad when seeing the signs.
Abu Talib recorded this event with his verses and showed the situation of Buhayra the monk when he stood against the three Jewish rabbis, who plotted to kill Muhammad, the expected prophet:
They came deciding to kill Muhammad
but he prevented them by showing what the Torah had.
He said to them: you intend the worst of aims;
do you want to kill Prophet Muhammad?
Then you be disgraced with your sins!
Your evil will never be.
There is a One to protect him against every intrigue!
That is one of his signs,
and the light of day is not like the darkness. (1)
After all that we don't doubt that Abu Talib was certain about the great future of his nephew after he had seen all those signs, which he paid his full attention and care for, because what happened wouldn't make anyone indifferent to because what happened were extraordinary things.
All those signs and evidences Abu Talib saw in his nephew, he wouldn't see in anyone else.
Why the diviner asked him to bring him back the boy whereas he had met many many others? Why did he say: "He will be of great importance?"
Then the care of the monk Buhayra towards the caravan whereas the caravan used to pass by the cell since a long time without attracting a bit of Buhayra's attention so why it was so that day?
And the conversation between Buhayra and Abu Talib, which had firm evidence ... Abu Talib said that he was his son but Buhayra answered with no any doubt that he was not Abu Talib's son and that his father would not be alive and then he warned him of the Jews because he would be of great importance! They were clear signs on doubt!
These evidences, besides what he had heard from his father Abdul Muttalib, the blessedness of this boy when he participated them in their meals, the flowing water from the rock, which this boy had kicked, the cloud that traveled with the caravan to shadow this boy and the branches of the tree when bending to shadow this blessed boy made Abu Talib believe definitely that his nephew would be greater than the others at all.
Abu Talib saw all that in his nephew besides the personal qualities and virtues such as his truthfulness, honesty, ideality of morals, kindness, gentleness, eloquence ... to the infinite chain of good aspects and high qualities he had. This made Abu Talib think a lot about this boy, whose qualities were not found in that low society with its bad traditions and low habits. Not only Abu Talib had noticed these nonesuch qualities in his nephew but also all the people of Mecca. They called him the truthful, the trustworthy. They all accepted him to judge between them. He talked and they believed and he ordered and they obeyed.
Hazrat Abu Talib b. Abdul Muttalib
In 570 AD, the Abyssinian armies under the leadership of Abraha attacked Makkah
to demolish the Ka'aba.
Abdul Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's [s] grandfather, the Master of Makkah, went round the Ka'aba praying to Allah, the Almighty, to prevent the invaders from demolishing the House which Ibrahim, al-Khalil, and his son Ismael built for people to worship Allah only.
Allah, the Almighty, accepted Abdul Muttalib's prayer. So, when the elephants and the soldiers advanced to demolish the Ka'aba, Ababil birds carrying stones in their beaks appeared in the horizon. They began dropping the stones. So, the invaders around the Ka'aba were defeated.
Consequently, Allah's power and Abdul Muttalib's importance appeared! That year was named the Year of the Elephant.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was born in that year. Abu-Talib was thirty years of age.
Allah, the Almighty, has mentioned this event in the Holy Qur'an:
In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.
Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with the possessors of the elephant?
Did He not cause their war to end in confusion.
And send down (to prey) upon them birds in flocks, casting them against stones of baked clay.
So, he rendered them like straw eaten up?
Abdul Muttalib, who dug Zam Zam well, had ten sons. Abdullah, the Prophet's father, was one of them. Abu Talib, Prophet's uncle, was one of them, too.
Our Master Muhammad [s], was an orphan. His father, Abdullah, died a short while before he was born. When his mother died, he was six years of age.
So, his grandfather Abdul Muttalib took care of him. He liked him very much. He thought that Muhammad [s] would be a Prophet.
Abdul Muttalib was righteous. He followed Ibrahim's and Ismael's religion. He advised his sons to follow good manners.
On his death bed, Abdul Muttalib said to his sons:
"A grandson of mine will be a Prophet. So, he who will be present at his time must believe in him."
Then he turned to his son, Abu Talib, and whispered in his ear:
"Abu Talib, Muhammad will be of great importance. So support him with your hand and tongue.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was 8 years of age when his grandfather Abdul Muttalib died. So, his uncle, Abu Talib took care of him.
Abu Talib's name was Abdul Munaf. His mother's name was Fatima bint Amru. She belonged to the Bani Makhzum tribe. Abu Talib was named Shaikh al-Bat-ha.
Our Master Muhammad [s] lived with his uncle. His uncle treated him kindly. Fatima bint Asad, his uncle's wife, treated him kindly, too. She preferred him to all of her sons. So, our Master Muhammad [s] grew with a good family.
Abu Talib's love for his nephew increased day by day because of his good manners and great politeness.
For example, when the food was ready, the orphan boy reached it politely. He said:
In the Name of Allah!
When he finished, he said:
Thank Allah!
One day, Abu Talib missed his nephew Muhammad. So, he raised his hand from the food and said:
"Till my son comes!"
When Muhammad came, Abu Talib gave him a cup of yogurt. Muhammad drank out of the cup. Abu Talib's sons drank out of it one by one, too. They were all full. The uncle admired that. So, he said to his nephew:
"Muhammad you're blessed!"
Abu Talib had heard good news from the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians). The good news was that a Prophet would appear very soon. So, he took care of his nephew very much. He thought that he would be a Prophet. So, he didn't leave him alone.
When Abu Talib wanted to go on a trade journey to Sham (Syria), he took our Master Muhammad [s] with him. Muhammad was nine years of age then.
In Busra, a city situated on the road of the trade caravans, there was an abbey. A monk lived in the abbey. The monk's name was Buhaira. He was always looking forward to the appearance of a new Prophet whose time approached.
When the monk looked at Muhammad, he realized that he would be the promised Prophet because he had the personality and expression of a Prophet.
The monk began looking at the Makkan boy's face very carefully. Meanwhile, the good news from Jesus Christ sounded in his mind. The monk asked Abu Talib about the boy's name. So, Abu-Talib said:
"His name's Muhammad."
The monk became very humble at his holy name. So, he said to Abu Talib:
"Go back to Makkah. Protect your nephew from the Jews because he'll be of great importance!"
Abu Talib came back to Makkah. He adored Muhammad. He was very careful of his safety.
The years passed. Makkah and its villages dried up because there was no rain.
The people came to Shaikh al-Bat-ha. They asked him to pray to Allah for rain. They said: "Abu-Talib, the valley's become rainless. Our families are without food. So come on and pray to Allah for rain."
Abu Talib went out. He had great confidence in Allah. He took his nephew, Muhammad with him.
Abu Talib and Muhammad stood beside the Ka'aba. The boy's heart took a pity on the people. Abu Talib asked Ibrahim's and Ismael's Lord to send down heavy rain.
Muhammad looked at the sky.
Only a little time passed. The sky was full of clouds. Lightening flashed. Thunder sounded. The rain came down heavily.
The rain water flowed in the villages. The people came back pleased thanking Allah for the blessing of the rain. Abu Talib also came back. His love for his nephew increased very much.
The years passed. Muhammad became a young man. He was extremely polite. So, people called him the Truthful, the Trustworthy One.
Abu Talib disliked persecution very much. In the meantime, he liked the persecuted a lot. So, our Master Muhammad [s] liked Abu Talib very much.
One day, a battle took place between the tribe of Kinana and the tribe of Qais. The tribe of Qais was the aggressor.
A man from the tribe of Kinana came to Abu Talib and said:
"Son of the bird feeder and pilgrim water-giver; don't be absent from us. We get victory in your presence."
Abu Talib answered:
"I will not be absent from you when you avoid persecution, enmity, rudeness and falsehood."
So, they promised him to do that.
Our Master Muhammad [s] stood by his uncle, against Kinana.
Some people from Makkah attacked the pilgrims of Allah's House.
A man and his daughter, belonged to the tribe of Khathaam, came to visit Allah's House. A young man from Makkah took the young girl by force.
The Khathaamian man shouted:
"Help! Help! Help!"
A passer-by said to him:
"Go to The Alliance of Fodhool."
The man went to Abu Talib.
Abu Talib founded the Alliance of Fodhool. It was an agreement signed by the Makkan leaders. According to the agreement they decided to help the persecuted and to punish the unjust.
When the Khathaamian man got there and asked them for help, some men took their swords and went to the young man's house. They threatened him and brought back the girl to her father.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was a member of the Alliance of Fodhool.
Abu Talib had a big family. He spent a lot of his money on the poor. In time, he too became poor. Our Master Muhammad [s] felt that he had to help his uncle. So, he decided to take Khadijah's goods to Sham.
The task was successful. Our Master Muhammad [s] gave the trusts to their owners. This made Khadijah think of him. So, she asked him to marry her.
Abu Talib was very pleased with that suggestion. So, he, a group of Bani Hashim, and Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's uncle, went to ask for Khadijah's hand from her family. Abu-Talib said:
"Praise be to Allah who has made us of Ibrahim's and Ismael's sons, made a protected house and a safe sanctuary for us, and made our country blessed."
Then he added:
"My nephew Muhammad bin Abdullah is the best and greatest man of all the Quraish. Besides, he's better than money because money's perishable. He likes Khadijah and she likes him. By Allah, he'll be of great importance. Khadijah's dowry is of my money."
Muhammad [s] and Khadijah got married.
The years passed. Allah gave Abu Talib a new baby. The baby's name was Ali.
Our Master Muhammad [s] wanted to relieve his uncle's worries. So, he went to his uncle's house to take Ali to his house.
The years passed. Abu Talib became seventy years of age. Our Master Muhammad [s] was forty years of age. Muhammad went to Hira Cave every day. In that year, Jibreel came down from the sky. Our Master Muhammad [s] heard him saying:
Read! Read! In the name of your Lord who created.
He created man from a clot.
Read and your Lord is most Honorable, who taught (to write) with the pen, taught man what he knew not.
Then Jibreel said:
Muhammad, you're Allah's Messenger and I'm Jibreel.
Muhammad came back from Hira Cave holding the Mission of the Heavens.
His wife, Khadijah, believed in him. His cousin Ali bin Abu Talib believed in him, too.
One day, while our Master Muhammad [s] was praying and Ali was behind him, Abu Talib came and said kindly:
My nephew, what are you doing?
The Prophet [s] said:
We're praying to Allah according to the religion of Islam.
Abu Talib said happily:
There's no harm in what you're doing.
Then he said to his son Ali:
Ali, support your cousin. He does nothing but good.
After a while, Jibreel came down holding Allah's Order:
And warn your nearest relations, and be kind to him who follows you of the believers.
Allah's Messenger ordered Ali aged ten to invite his tribe, namely Bani Hashim. Abu Talib, Abu Lahab and others came to the Prophet's house.
When they all had the food, our Master Muhammad [s] said:
No Arab young man had brought his people like what I've brought you. I've brought you the good of here and of the hereafter.
Then, he asked them to believe in Islam. Abu Lahab stood up and said with spite:
Muhammad's put a spell on you.
Abu Talib said angrily:
Shut up! It's none of your business!
Abu Talib turned to our Master Muhammad [s] and said:
Get up and say whatever you like. Spread Your Lord's Mission, for you're the Truthful, the Trusted one.
So, our Master Muhammad [s] got up and said:
My Lord has ordered me to ask you to believe in Him. So, who will support me in this matter? Who wants to be my brother; my regent, and my successor after me?
They kept silent.
So, Ali said eagerly:
Allah's Apostle, I.
The Prophet rejoiced and embraced his young cousin while he was weeping.
Bani Hashim stood up. Abu Lahab was laughing and saying sarcastically to Abu Talib:
Muhammad's ordered you to hear and obey your son.
But Abu Talib did not pay attention to him. Rather, he looked angrily at him.
Abu Talib kindly said to his nephew:
Go on what Allah's ordered you. By Allah, I'll support and protect you.
Our Master Muhammad [s] looked at his uncle respectfully. He felt strong as long as the Master of Makkah was with him.
Although Abu Talib was an old man, he strongly stood by Muhammad's Mission. He was always protecting him from the Quraishi polytheists.
A big number of the Makkans believed in Allah's religion paying no attention to the worship of the idols and to the threats of the Quraishi tyrants.
One day, the Quraishi leaders came to Abu Talib though he was confined to bed. They said angrily:
Abu Talib! Keep your nephew from us because he's weakened our thoughts and insulted our gods.
Abu Talib became sad because his people did not want to listen to the sound of truth. So, he said to them:
Give me time to speak to him.
Abu Talib told our Master Muhammad [s] the words of the Quraishi leaders.
The Prophet [s] said respectfully:
Uncle! I can't disobey my Lord's Order.
Abu Jahal, the most spiteful man, said:
We'll give him whatever he wants of our money. Rather, we'll make him king over us if he wants.
The Prophet [s] said:
I want nothing but one word.
Abu Jahal said:
What's the word? We'll give you as ten times as it!
Our Master Muhammad [s] said:
Say there's no god but Allah.
So, Abu Jahal was filled with anger:
Ask another word instead!
Allah's Apostle [s] said:
If you brought me the sun and put it in my hand, I'd not ask a word instead.
There was tension. The polytheists stood up. They were threatening our Master Muhammad [s].
Abu Talib said to our Master Muhammad:
Save your soul and don't overburden me.
The Prophets' eyes shed tears when he answered:
Uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand to leave this matter, I'd not leave it till Allah supports it or I perish for it.
The Prophet [s] stood up rubbing his tears. So, Abu Talib called him kindly and said:
Nephew draw near.
Our Master Muhammad [s] drew near. His uncle kissed him and said:
Nephew, go and say whatever you like. By Allah, I'll never leave you alone.
Then, he began chanting to confront the Quraishi might:
By Allah, they all won't reach you.
Till a pillow of dust will be put under my head.
And till I'll be buried.
Our Master Muhammad [s] went on preaching the new religion to bring out people from darkness into light.
Again the Quraishi tyrants came to Abu Talib. They used another style:
Abu Talib, this is Amarah bin al-Waleed (Khalid bin al-Waleed's brother). He's the strongest and the most handsome young man of all the Quraish. So, take him and give us Muhammad to kill.
Abu Talib was sorry to hear that idea. He answered them angrily:
Do you give me your son to feed him for you, while I give you my son to kill him? Have you ever seen a she-camel take pity on other than its young?
The polytheists harm became intense. They began torturing them. Abu Talib thought that their harm would include our Master Muhammad [s]. So, he sent for Bani Hashim. He asked them to protect and save the Prophet [s]. They accepted but Abu Lahab.
Abu Talib heard that Abu Jahal and other polytheists tried to kill our Master Muhammad [s].
So, he and his son Ja'far went to the hills of Makkah to look for him. They looked for him here and there.
Finally, they found him praying to Allah. In the meantime, Ali was praying on his right-hand side. They were sad to see that there was no one with our Master Muhammad [s] but Ali. Thus Abu Talib wanted to encourage his nephew. He turned to his son Ja'far and said:
Complete your cousin's wing.
Namely, pray on his left hand to feel determination, strength, and confidence. Ja'far stood with our Master Muhammad [s] and his brother Ali to pray to Allah, the Creator of the skies and the earth, the Lord of the Worlds.
Again, Abu Talib missed our Master Muhammad [s]. He waited for his return. But he did not come back. So, he went to look for him. He went to the place where our Master Muhammad [s] went frequently. But he did not find him.
So, Abu Talib came back, gathered Bani Hashim together and said to them:
Each one of you must take a strong iron bar. Now follow me. When I enter the mosque, each one of you must sit beside a Quraishi leader. He must kill him if we knew that Muhammad had been killed.
The young men of Bani Hashim obeyed Abu Talib. Each one of them sat beside a polytheist.
Abu Talib sat waiting for our Master Muhammad [s]. Meanwhile Zaid bin Harith came and told him that the Prophet [s] was safe.
Then, Abu Talib announced his plan to punish those who tried to hurt the Prophet [s].
The polytheists were abase. Abu Jahal kept silent. His face became yellow with fear.
Some of the polytheists urged their boys and slaves to hurt our Master Muhammad [s].
One day, the Prophet [s] was praying. A young man came and threw the wastes at him. The polytheists began laughing loudly. Our Master Muhammad [s] was very unhappy. So, he went to his uncle and told him about the young man's bad behaviour
Abu Talib became very angry. He took out his sword and came to the polytheists. He ordered his boy to throw the wastes at their faces.
They said:
Abu Talib, that's enough!
One day, our Master Muhammad [s] came to his uncle. He was filled with happiness. He said to him:
Uncle, my Lord ordered the white ant to eat the Ban Page. So, it's eaten it all but Allah's Name.
Abu Talib said happily:
Has your Lord told you about that?
Muhammad [s] answered:
Yes, Uncle.
Abu Talib's heart was filled with belief. So, Abu Talib stood up and went to Darul-Nadwa, at the Kaaba, where the Quraishi leaders sat.
Abu-Talib addressed the sitting persons:
Quraish!
They got up for the respectful, old man. They listened to his words. They expected his surrender and defeat because of the ban.
But Shaikh al-Bat-ha said:
Quraish, my nephew Muhammad has told me that Allah ordered the white ant to eat your Ban Page. So it has eaten it all but His Name. if he is right, the end the ban.
Abu-Jahal said:
And, if he was a liar?
Abu Talib answered with confidence and belief: I'll hand you my nephew.
The Quraishi leaders said:
Okay.
They opened the door of the Ka'aba. They found that the white ant had eaten every thing but Allah's Name.
The besieged got out of Abu Talib valley. Our Master Muhammad [s] and his companions began preaching Islam to the pilgrims of Allah's Holy House.
Abu Talib was over eighty years of age. He became very invalid. So, he was confined to the bed. He thought about nothing but our Master Muhammad [s]. He knew that if he died, the Quraish would fear no one and they would kill his nephew.
The Quraishi leaders came to visit Shaikh al-Bat-ha. They said:
Abu Talib, you're our Shaikh and Master.
You're about to die. So, put an end to the enmity between your nephew and us. Tell him to stop hurting us. We'll stop hurting him. Tell him to leave us with our religion. We'll leave him with his religion.
Abu Talib looked at Abu Jahal, Abu Sufyan, and other Quraishi leaders. He said to them faintly:
If you hear Muhammad's words and obey his orders, you'll be happy. So, obey him and get happiness here and in the hereafter.
The atheists stood up. Abu Jahal said with spite:
Do you want us to make the gods one god?
Abu Talib was sad at the Quraishi stand. He was very anxious about our Master Muhammad's safety. So, he invited Bani Hashim and asked them to support our Master Muhammad [s] at any cost They all obeyed him. Then Abu Talib closed his eyes to die soundly.
Shaikh al-Bat-ha kept silent. He became a motionless body.
His son Ali wept bitter tears. Sad cries spread all over Makkah. The atheists rejoiced at his death.
Abu Jahal angrily said:
It's time to get my revenge on Muhammad.
Our Master Muhammad [s] came to say farewell. He kissed Abu Talib's bright forehead and murmured sadly:
Uncle, may Allah have mercy on you.
You educated me when I was small, looked after me when I became an orphan, and supported me when I became a grown-up.
So, may Allah reward you a lot.
Then he burst into tears. He began recalling the days of his childhood with his kind uncle. He embraced his cousin Ali. They began weeping together.
Only a few weeks passed. Khadijah, Muhammad's wife died, too. So, our Master Muhammad [s] named that year the Year of Sadness.
The Quraish increased their harm against Muhammad and those who believed in him.
One day, a foolish person threw some dust at him. His head was covered with dust. So, he went home.
While Fatima, Muhammad's daughter, was washing his head, she began weeping. So, he patted her head and said:
Daughter, don't weep. Allah will save your father. He'll protect your father from the enemies of His religion and Mission.
Jibreel came down from the sky holding Allah's Order. He said:
Muhammad, go out of Makkah. Your supporter has died.
When the Quraish plotted to kill our Master Muhammad [s], Ali, Abu Talib's young son, came to sleep in his bed. He was ready to die for him.
Our Master Muhammad [s] went towards Yathrib (al-Madina al-Munawarah). From there the light of Islam started to illuminate the world.
When the Muslims go to visit Allah's Holy House every year, they remember the life of Shaikh al-Bat-ha when he was always defending Allah's religion.
Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate, among each other.
Abdul Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's [s] grandfather, the Master of Makkah, went round the Ka'aba praying to Allah, the Almighty, to prevent the invaders from demolishing the House which Ibrahim, al-Khalil, and his son Ismael built for people to worship Allah only.
Allah, the Almighty, accepted Abdul Muttalib's prayer. So, when the elephants and the soldiers advanced to demolish the Ka'aba, Ababil birds carrying stones in their beaks appeared in the horizon. They began dropping the stones. So, the invaders around the Ka'aba were defeated.
Consequently, Allah's power and Abdul Muttalib's importance appeared! That year was named the Year of the Elephant.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was born in that year. Abu-Talib was thirty years of age.
Allah, the Almighty, has mentioned this event in the Holy Qur'an:
In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.
Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with the possessors of the elephant?
Did He not cause their war to end in confusion.
And send down (to prey) upon them birds in flocks, casting them against stones of baked clay.
So, he rendered them like straw eaten up?
Abdul Muttalib, who dug Zam Zam well, had ten sons. Abdullah, the Prophet's father, was one of them. Abu Talib, Prophet's uncle, was one of them, too.
Our Master Muhammad [s], was an orphan. His father, Abdullah, died a short while before he was born. When his mother died, he was six years of age.
So, his grandfather Abdul Muttalib took care of him. He liked him very much. He thought that Muhammad [s] would be a Prophet.
Abdul Muttalib was righteous. He followed Ibrahim's and Ismael's religion. He advised his sons to follow good manners.
On his death bed, Abdul Muttalib said to his sons:
"A grandson of mine will be a Prophet. So, he who will be present at his time must believe in him."
Then he turned to his son, Abu Talib, and whispered in his ear:
"Abu Talib, Muhammad will be of great importance. So support him with your hand and tongue.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was 8 years of age when his grandfather Abdul Muttalib died. So, his uncle, Abu Talib took care of him.
Abu Talib's name was Abdul Munaf. His mother's name was Fatima bint Amru. She belonged to the Bani Makhzum tribe. Abu Talib was named Shaikh al-Bat-ha.
Our Master Muhammad [s] lived with his uncle. His uncle treated him kindly. Fatima bint Asad, his uncle's wife, treated him kindly, too. She preferred him to all of her sons. So, our Master Muhammad [s] grew with a good family.
Abu Talib's love for his nephew increased day by day because of his good manners and great politeness.
For example, when the food was ready, the orphan boy reached it politely. He said:
In the Name of Allah!
When he finished, he said:
Thank Allah!
One day, Abu Talib missed his nephew Muhammad. So, he raised his hand from the food and said:
"Till my son comes!"
When Muhammad came, Abu Talib gave him a cup of yogurt. Muhammad drank out of the cup. Abu Talib's sons drank out of it one by one, too. They were all full. The uncle admired that. So, he said to his nephew:
"Muhammad you're blessed!"
Abu Talib had heard good news from the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians). The good news was that a Prophet would appear very soon. So, he took care of his nephew very much. He thought that he would be a Prophet. So, he didn't leave him alone.
When Abu Talib wanted to go on a trade journey to Sham (Syria), he took our Master Muhammad [s] with him. Muhammad was nine years of age then.
In Busra, a city situated on the road of the trade caravans, there was an abbey. A monk lived in the abbey. The monk's name was Buhaira. He was always looking forward to the appearance of a new Prophet whose time approached.
When the monk looked at Muhammad, he realized that he would be the promised Prophet because he had the personality and expression of a Prophet.
The monk began looking at the Makkan boy's face very carefully. Meanwhile, the good news from Jesus Christ sounded in his mind. The monk asked Abu Talib about the boy's name. So, Abu-Talib said:
"His name's Muhammad."
The monk became very humble at his holy name. So, he said to Abu Talib:
"Go back to Makkah. Protect your nephew from the Jews because he'll be of great importance!"
Abu Talib came back to Makkah. He adored Muhammad. He was very careful of his safety.
The years passed. Makkah and its villages dried up because there was no rain.
The people came to Shaikh al-Bat-ha. They asked him to pray to Allah for rain. They said: "Abu-Talib, the valley's become rainless. Our families are without food. So come on and pray to Allah for rain."
Abu Talib went out. He had great confidence in Allah. He took his nephew, Muhammad with him.
Abu Talib and Muhammad stood beside the Ka'aba. The boy's heart took a pity on the people. Abu Talib asked Ibrahim's and Ismael's Lord to send down heavy rain.
Muhammad looked at the sky.
Only a little time passed. The sky was full of clouds. Lightening flashed. Thunder sounded. The rain came down heavily.
The rain water flowed in the villages. The people came back pleased thanking Allah for the blessing of the rain. Abu Talib also came back. His love for his nephew increased very much.
The years passed. Muhammad became a young man. He was extremely polite. So, people called him the Truthful, the Trustworthy One.
Abu Talib disliked persecution very much. In the meantime, he liked the persecuted a lot. So, our Master Muhammad [s] liked Abu Talib very much.
One day, a battle took place between the tribe of Kinana and the tribe of Qais. The tribe of Qais was the aggressor.
A man from the tribe of Kinana came to Abu Talib and said:
"Son of the bird feeder and pilgrim water-giver; don't be absent from us. We get victory in your presence."
Abu Talib answered:
"I will not be absent from you when you avoid persecution, enmity, rudeness and falsehood."
So, they promised him to do that.
Our Master Muhammad [s] stood by his uncle, against Kinana.
Some people from Makkah attacked the pilgrims of Allah's House.
A man and his daughter, belonged to the tribe of Khathaam, came to visit Allah's House. A young man from Makkah took the young girl by force.
The Khathaamian man shouted:
"Help! Help! Help!"
A passer-by said to him:
"Go to The Alliance of Fodhool."
The man went to Abu Talib.
Abu Talib founded the Alliance of Fodhool. It was an agreement signed by the Makkan leaders. According to the agreement they decided to help the persecuted and to punish the unjust.
When the Khathaamian man got there and asked them for help, some men took their swords and went to the young man's house. They threatened him and brought back the girl to her father.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was a member of the Alliance of Fodhool.
Abu Talib had a big family. He spent a lot of his money on the poor. In time, he too became poor. Our Master Muhammad [s] felt that he had to help his uncle. So, he decided to take Khadijah's goods to Sham.
The task was successful. Our Master Muhammad [s] gave the trusts to their owners. This made Khadijah think of him. So, she asked him to marry her.
Abu Talib was very pleased with that suggestion. So, he, a group of Bani Hashim, and Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's uncle, went to ask for Khadijah's hand from her family. Abu-Talib said:
"Praise be to Allah who has made us of Ibrahim's and Ismael's sons, made a protected house and a safe sanctuary for us, and made our country blessed."
Then he added:
"My nephew Muhammad bin Abdullah is the best and greatest man of all the Quraish. Besides, he's better than money because money's perishable. He likes Khadijah and she likes him. By Allah, he'll be of great importance. Khadijah's dowry is of my money."
Muhammad [s] and Khadijah got married.
The years passed. Allah gave Abu Talib a new baby. The baby's name was Ali.
Our Master Muhammad [s] wanted to relieve his uncle's worries. So, he went to his uncle's house to take Ali to his house.
The years passed. Abu Talib became seventy years of age. Our Master Muhammad [s] was forty years of age. Muhammad went to Hira Cave every day. In that year, Jibreel came down from the sky. Our Master Muhammad [s] heard him saying:
Read! Read! In the name of your Lord who created.
He created man from a clot.
Read and your Lord is most Honorable, who taught (to write) with the pen, taught man what he knew not.
Then Jibreel said:
Muhammad, you're Allah's Messenger and I'm Jibreel.
Muhammad came back from Hira Cave holding the Mission of the Heavens.
His wife, Khadijah, believed in him. His cousin Ali bin Abu Talib believed in him, too.
One day, while our Master Muhammad [s] was praying and Ali was behind him, Abu Talib came and said kindly:
My nephew, what are you doing?
The Prophet [s] said:
We're praying to Allah according to the religion of Islam.
Abu Talib said happily:
There's no harm in what you're doing.
Then he said to his son Ali:
Ali, support your cousin. He does nothing but good.
After a while, Jibreel came down holding Allah's Order:
And warn your nearest relations, and be kind to him who follows you of the believers.
Allah's Messenger ordered Ali aged ten to invite his tribe, namely Bani Hashim. Abu Talib, Abu Lahab and others came to the Prophet's house.
When they all had the food, our Master Muhammad [s] said:
No Arab young man had brought his people like what I've brought you. I've brought you the good of here and of the hereafter.
Then, he asked them to believe in Islam. Abu Lahab stood up and said with spite:
Muhammad's put a spell on you.
Abu Talib said angrily:
Shut up! It's none of your business!
Abu Talib turned to our Master Muhammad [s] and said:
Get up and say whatever you like. Spread Your Lord's Mission, for you're the Truthful, the Trusted one.
So, our Master Muhammad [s] got up and said:
My Lord has ordered me to ask you to believe in Him. So, who will support me in this matter? Who wants to be my brother; my regent, and my successor after me?
They kept silent.
So, Ali said eagerly:
Allah's Apostle, I.
The Prophet rejoiced and embraced his young cousin while he was weeping.
Bani Hashim stood up. Abu Lahab was laughing and saying sarcastically to Abu Talib:
Muhammad's ordered you to hear and obey your son.
But Abu Talib did not pay attention to him. Rather, he looked angrily at him.
Abu Talib kindly said to his nephew:
Go on what Allah's ordered you. By Allah, I'll support and protect you.
Our Master Muhammad [s] looked at his uncle respectfully. He felt strong as long as the Master of Makkah was with him.
Although Abu Talib was an old man, he strongly stood by Muhammad's Mission. He was always protecting him from the Quraishi polytheists.
A big number of the Makkans believed in Allah's religion paying no attention to the worship of the idols and to the threats of the Quraishi tyrants.
One day, the Quraishi leaders came to Abu Talib though he was confined to bed. They said angrily:
Abu Talib! Keep your nephew from us because he's weakened our thoughts and insulted our gods.
Abu Talib became sad because his people did not want to listen to the sound of truth. So, he said to them:
Give me time to speak to him.
Abu Talib told our Master Muhammad [s] the words of the Quraishi leaders.
The Prophet [s] said respectfully:
Uncle! I can't disobey my Lord's Order.
Abu Jahal, the most spiteful man, said:
We'll give him whatever he wants of our money. Rather, we'll make him king over us if he wants.
The Prophet [s] said:
I want nothing but one word.
Abu Jahal said:
What's the word? We'll give you as ten times as it!
Our Master Muhammad [s] said:
Say there's no god but Allah.
So, Abu Jahal was filled with anger:
Ask another word instead!
Allah's Apostle [s] said:
If you brought me the sun and put it in my hand, I'd not ask a word instead.
There was tension. The polytheists stood up. They were threatening our Master Muhammad [s].
Abu Talib said to our Master Muhammad:
Save your soul and don't overburden me.
The Prophets' eyes shed tears when he answered:
Uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand to leave this matter, I'd not leave it till Allah supports it or I perish for it.
The Prophet [s] stood up rubbing his tears. So, Abu Talib called him kindly and said:
Nephew draw near.
Our Master Muhammad [s] drew near. His uncle kissed him and said:
Nephew, go and say whatever you like. By Allah, I'll never leave you alone.
Then, he began chanting to confront the Quraishi might:
By Allah, they all won't reach you.
Till a pillow of dust will be put under my head.
And till I'll be buried.
Our Master Muhammad [s] went on preaching the new religion to bring out people from darkness into light.
Again the Quraishi tyrants came to Abu Talib. They used another style:
Abu Talib, this is Amarah bin al-Waleed (Khalid bin al-Waleed's brother). He's the strongest and the most handsome young man of all the Quraish. So, take him and give us Muhammad to kill.
Abu Talib was sorry to hear that idea. He answered them angrily:
Do you give me your son to feed him for you, while I give you my son to kill him? Have you ever seen a she-camel take pity on other than its young?
The polytheists harm became intense. They began torturing them. Abu Talib thought that their harm would include our Master Muhammad [s]. So, he sent for Bani Hashim. He asked them to protect and save the Prophet [s]. They accepted but Abu Lahab.
Abu Talib heard that Abu Jahal and other polytheists tried to kill our Master Muhammad [s].
So, he and his son Ja'far went to the hills of Makkah to look for him. They looked for him here and there.
Finally, they found him praying to Allah. In the meantime, Ali was praying on his right-hand side. They were sad to see that there was no one with our Master Muhammad [s] but Ali. Thus Abu Talib wanted to encourage his nephew. He turned to his son Ja'far and said:
Complete your cousin's wing.
Namely, pray on his left hand to feel determination, strength, and confidence. Ja'far stood with our Master Muhammad [s] and his brother Ali to pray to Allah, the Creator of the skies and the earth, the Lord of the Worlds.
Again, Abu Talib missed our Master Muhammad [s]. He waited for his return. But he did not come back. So, he went to look for him. He went to the place where our Master Muhammad [s] went frequently. But he did not find him.
So, Abu Talib came back, gathered Bani Hashim together and said to them:
Each one of you must take a strong iron bar. Now follow me. When I enter the mosque, each one of you must sit beside a Quraishi leader. He must kill him if we knew that Muhammad had been killed.
The young men of Bani Hashim obeyed Abu Talib. Each one of them sat beside a polytheist.
Abu Talib sat waiting for our Master Muhammad [s]. Meanwhile Zaid bin Harith came and told him that the Prophet [s] was safe.
Then, Abu Talib announced his plan to punish those who tried to hurt the Prophet [s].
The polytheists were abase. Abu Jahal kept silent. His face became yellow with fear.
Some of the polytheists urged their boys and slaves to hurt our Master Muhammad [s].
One day, the Prophet [s] was praying. A young man came and threw the wastes at him. The polytheists began laughing loudly. Our Master Muhammad [s] was very unhappy. So, he went to his uncle and told him about the young man's bad behaviour
Abu Talib became very angry. He took out his sword and came to the polytheists. He ordered his boy to throw the wastes at their faces.
They said:
Abu Talib, that's enough!
One day, our Master Muhammad [s] came to his uncle. He was filled with happiness. He said to him:
Uncle, my Lord ordered the white ant to eat the Ban Page. So, it's eaten it all but Allah's Name.
Abu Talib said happily:
Has your Lord told you about that?
Muhammad [s] answered:
Yes, Uncle.
Abu Talib's heart was filled with belief. So, Abu Talib stood up and went to Darul-Nadwa, at the Kaaba, where the Quraishi leaders sat.
Abu-Talib addressed the sitting persons:
Quraish!
They got up for the respectful, old man. They listened to his words. They expected his surrender and defeat because of the ban.
But Shaikh al-Bat-ha said:
Quraish, my nephew Muhammad has told me that Allah ordered the white ant to eat your Ban Page. So it has eaten it all but His Name. if he is right, the end the ban.
Abu-Jahal said:
And, if he was a liar?
Abu Talib answered with confidence and belief: I'll hand you my nephew.
The Quraishi leaders said:
Okay.
They opened the door of the Ka'aba. They found that the white ant had eaten every thing but Allah's Name.
The besieged got out of Abu Talib valley. Our Master Muhammad [s] and his companions began preaching Islam to the pilgrims of Allah's Holy House.
Abu Talib was over eighty years of age. He became very invalid. So, he was confined to the bed. He thought about nothing but our Master Muhammad [s]. He knew that if he died, the Quraish would fear no one and they would kill his nephew.
The Quraishi leaders came to visit Shaikh al-Bat-ha. They said:
Abu Talib, you're our Shaikh and Master.
You're about to die. So, put an end to the enmity between your nephew and us. Tell him to stop hurting us. We'll stop hurting him. Tell him to leave us with our religion. We'll leave him with his religion.
Abu Talib looked at Abu Jahal, Abu Sufyan, and other Quraishi leaders. He said to them faintly:
If you hear Muhammad's words and obey his orders, you'll be happy. So, obey him and get happiness here and in the hereafter.
The atheists stood up. Abu Jahal said with spite:
Do you want us to make the gods one god?
Abu Talib was sad at the Quraishi stand. He was very anxious about our Master Muhammad's safety. So, he invited Bani Hashim and asked them to support our Master Muhammad [s] at any cost They all obeyed him. Then Abu Talib closed his eyes to die soundly.
Shaikh al-Bat-ha kept silent. He became a motionless body.
His son Ali wept bitter tears. Sad cries spread all over Makkah. The atheists rejoiced at his death.
Abu Jahal angrily said:
It's time to get my revenge on Muhammad.
Our Master Muhammad [s] came to say farewell. He kissed Abu Talib's bright forehead and murmured sadly:
Uncle, may Allah have mercy on you.
You educated me when I was small, looked after me when I became an orphan, and supported me when I became a grown-up.
So, may Allah reward you a lot.
Then he burst into tears. He began recalling the days of his childhood with his kind uncle. He embraced his cousin Ali. They began weeping together.
Only a few weeks passed. Khadijah, Muhammad's wife died, too. So, our Master Muhammad [s] named that year the Year of Sadness.
The Quraish increased their harm against Muhammad and those who believed in him.
One day, a foolish person threw some dust at him. His head was covered with dust. So, he went home.
While Fatima, Muhammad's daughter, was washing his head, she began weeping. So, he patted her head and said:
Daughter, don't weep. Allah will save your father. He'll protect your father from the enemies of His religion and Mission.
Jibreel came down from the sky holding Allah's Order. He said:
Muhammad, go out of Makkah. Your supporter has died.
When the Quraish plotted to kill our Master Muhammad [s], Ali, Abu Talib's young son, came to sleep in his bed. He was ready to die for him.
Our Master Muhammad [s] went towards Yathrib (al-Madina al-Munawarah). From there the light of Islam started to illuminate the world.
When the Muslims go to visit Allah's Holy House every year, they remember the life of Shaikh al-Bat-ha when he was always defending Allah's religion.
Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate, among each other.
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