¶ Islamic History
Before we get into Islamic history, we must understand what happened during the time of Jesus. As we all know, Jesus was the Messiah sent to the Israelites. He came with miracles, knowledge, was the first to claim that he was the Messiah, and called people to the Supremacy of God. He had a following, however, unfortunately, the Israelites did not accept Jesus and their continuous hatred and rejection made their hearts so hard that they wanted to kill Jesus. And the fact that the Israelites conspired to kill the divinely appointed man of God decimated the relationship between Him and the nation of Israel. It is at this point that Jesus declared to the Israelites:
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
- The Holy Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 21, Verse 43
This means that the nation of Israel is no longer Gods chosen people. They are no longer under God’s Covenant and the Messiah was no longer with them. But if the Covenant is no longer with the Israelites, who were the people that the Kingdom of God will be given to?
Christians today claim to be under a new law and a new Covenant put in place by Jesus. However, Jesus never said that the new Covenant is with the ‘Christians’ or believing Jews or the Gentiles, so where did this belief come from? We find that this belief was coined by a man named Paul, a man who persecuted Christians and never met Jesus. Christians use the words of Paul to prove that they are under the Covenant of Jesus.
Paul states in the Book of Hebrews Chapter 8:
“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”
- The Holy Bible, Book of Hebrews, Chapter 8, Verses 10-13
However, these are the words of Paul, not the words of Jesus. And we have to remember that Jesus appointed Simon Peter as his successor. So if the new Covenant went to the believing Christians, we would go back to Peter, not Paul.
It has been claimed by some Christians that before Jesus made his 'ascension' to heaven he promised that he would send us the Holy Spirit as part of the new Covenant:
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth.
- The Holy Bible, Book of John, Chapter 14, Verses 15-17
Christians believe that the Spirit of Truth, or the comforter, or advocate is the Holy Spirit. However, if the Holy Spirit guides Christians to the truth, does the Holy Spirit lead them to the same truth?
We find in the Bible where it says:
‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.’
- The Holy Bible, Book of Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verses 4-6
So if the Holy Spirit supposedly dwells in every Christian, today we find that Christians are not united by one faith. Christianity is divided into hundreds of different denominations and their beliefs differ greatly.
Here is a diagram of some of the different denominations that exist and how they differ.
The Catholics who believe that there are 73 books in the Bible do not agree with the Protestants who believe that there are only 66 books in the Bible. The Orthodox Church does agree with someone who is a Seventh Day Adventist. Even the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses label themselves as Christians. However, an Evangelical will label them as cults.
So Christians now have two options:
1) The Holy Spirit has nothing to these denominations or Christian groups.
2) Only one of these hundred of Christian groups are upon the truth.
If Christians pick the first option, then we have to cancel every single Christian group that we have today and declare them as false.
If Christians pick the second option, then the Holy Spirit has to be bluntly clear to these Christians on which one of these denominations is upon the truth and every Christian must adhere to that faith alone, because God is not the author of confusion and he cannot lead us into different paths.
The only way God can make clear to us which faith is correct is by sending an apparent messenger, not by claiming that the spirit we feel is God.
The fact of the matter is that the Advocate that Jesus was referring to is not a spirit that anyone can claim and leads people to different faiths, it's referring to a man, a messenger of God who guides us to the truth.
The truth is, Jesus tried to establish a Covenant with the children of Israel. We know the famous event of the Last Supper where Jesus gathers his disciples and he says that he will make a New Covenant with them. In the Bible it says,
“Likewise he also took the cup after supper saying this cup is the New Covenant in my blood which is shed for you."
- The Holy Bible, Book of Luke, Chapter 22, Verse 20
So Christians believe that at this moment of the Last Supper, Jesus was supposed to establish a New Covenant with his disciples, the children of Israel, and his followers, but it did not work. He was never able to establish a Covenant because after the Last Supper the Jews arrested Jesus and attempted to murder him.
So the Jews rejected this Covenant and a great punishment ensued in the year 70 AD in which the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed and this event is known as the ‘Sacking of Jerusalem’.
So even though the children of Isaac were God's chosen people, they were replaced as they were not able to carry the Covenant and they rejected their own Messiah that came with a New Covenant.
Since the time of Abraham, the children of Israel had been God's chosen people and many prophets came from their lineage, however, after the attempt on the life of Jesus God no longer sent forth Prophets to them and the Jews also do not claim that they have had any new Prophets since then.
Now that we have dealt with the delusion that Jesus established his Covenant with the Gentiles and believing Jews, who were the people whom the Kingdom of God will be given to?
To answer this question, we must jump back to the story of Abraham. The Jews are under the impression that Abraham is just the Father of the Jews and that the covenant only belongs to the children of Isaac. However, this is far from the truth for God All-Mighty states in Genesis 17:
“...I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
- The Holy Bible, Book of Genesis, Chapter 17, Verse 7
And when Abraham said to God:
"If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"
- The Holy Bible, Book of Genesis, Chapter 17, Verse 18
God responded:
“And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.”
- The Holy Bible, Book of Genesis, Chapter 17, Verse 20
This can only mean one thing, and that is that Ishmael’s lineage would be given a Covenant in the future because there will be twelve rulers after him.
Therefore, the people that Jesus was referring to in Matthew 21 verse 43 were the Arabs, the descendants of Ishmael.
Many will ask, how did Jesus go from Judea to the Arab lands? The answer to this question can be found in this article, the book, The Goal of the Wise, Door 31, The Lost Years of Jesus, and in this episode Jesus Lived Until the Destruction of the Temple in 70 AD .
https://themahdi.wiki/en/teachings-and-proofs/christianity/the-lost-years-of-jesus-christ
And we find an interesting verse where Jesus says,
“Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.”
- The Holy Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 23, Verse 14
We see here that Jesus is clearly sending Prophets and Messenger and this is a proof that Jesus is not the final prophet.
Abraham was granted a special favor by God which was that from the lineage of Isaac would come the Israelites who were carrying the Covenants for a very long time and were the chosen people. However, when the Israelites rejected Jesus, it was given to the children of his other son, Ishmael.
So at this point, the Jesuit Covenant was rejected by the children of Isaac, it was given to the Arabs and we know from history that a lot of Arab nations became Christian before 600 AD, before Prophet Mohammed came with the idea of Islam.
So now, the fifth Covenant was carried by the Arabs, however, this did not last long and it was broken again. The Arabs were not able to uphold the Jesuit Covenant just like all the nations before them.
“The Jesuit Covenant continued with the Arabs until oppression, murder, idol worship, polytheism, and disbelief increased amongst them. Each tribe had its own house of worship in the form of a giant cube and they filled it up with hundreds of idols made of sticks and stones. [Note each tribe had their own giant cube or Kaaba that served as a central gathering place for worship, economic, social, and cultural activities.] The lands once filled with the followers of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (PBUT) had now become filled with barbaric idol worshipers. The Arabs had completely broken the Jesuit Covenant through their disbelief, hatred of one another, and warring with one another. The Arab tribes in the days prior to the birth of Mohammed (PBUH & His Family) were scattered throughout the region and were constantly at war with one another. They were committing the most heinous of crimes, such as burying newborn girls alive. God's vengeance for their inhumane actions fell upon them and He sent forth a punishment against the Arabs for breaking the Jesuit Covenant. One of the well-known signs to the Arabs that Jesus (PBUH) provided as a proof of his divine authority was the creation of birds out of clay. [The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 5 (Al-Ma’idah), Verse 110; The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, from The Apocryphal New Testament] The punishment for breaking the Jesuit Covenant was the flock of birds (ababil) carrying hard clay stones (sijjil) who destroyed not only Abrahah and his army but also destroyed many of the disbelieving Arabs.[The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 105 (Al-Fil), Verses 1-5] At last, there arrived the promised one who Jesus (PBUH) gave glad tidings about, the final Messenger Mohammed (PBUH & His Family).”
- The Goal of the Wise, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq (From Him is Peace), Door 6 (The Sixth Covenant With Mohammed (PBUH & His Family)), p. 86
But before we get into the biography of Prophet Mohammed, we must first go over his predecessors. First, Prophet Mohammed is from Bani Hashem which was an Arab clan within the Quraysh tribe. It derives its name from Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, the great-grandfather of Mohammed. From here we have Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet’s grandfather and then we have Abdullah Hashem, the father of Prophet Mohammed. Aminah was the mother of the Prophet. The Prophet also had numerous uncles and family members, in which some were firm believers in his call such as Abu Talib, Hamza, and Ja'far, Ali ibn Abu Talib, while others were staunch enemies such as Abu Lahab.
Abdullah Hashem, the son of Abdul-Muttalib died before Mohammed was born and when he was six, he lost his loving mother Aminah bint Wahb. His grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, took the responsibility of raising Prophet Mohammed until he (Abdul-Muttalib) died. On his deathbed, Abdul-Mutalib appointed his son Abu Talib as the guardian of Mohammed.
One issue we have to address is the idea that the predecessors of Prophet Mohammed were not monotheist, this is a complete myth and an assumption coined by non-working scholars.
Narrated to us Ahmad bin Muhammad as-Saigh that he said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ayyub from Salih bin Asbat from Ismail bin Muhammad; and Ali bin Abdullah from Rabi bin Muhammad Musalli from Saad bin Tareef from Asbagh bin Nubatah that he said: I heard Amirul Momineen (a.s.) say:
“By Allah, my father, my grandfather Abdul Muttalib, Hashim and Abde Manaf never worshipped idols. He was asked: Then what did they worship? He replied: They used to face the Kaaba and pray according to the religion of Ibrahim (a.s.) and they followed only that faith.”
- Kamaaluddin wa Tamaamun Ni’ma Vol. 1, Chapter 12: Report about Abdul Muttalib and Abu Talib, Hadith 5
Muhammad Bin Ali Bin Al Shah, from Abu Hamad, from Abu Yazeed, from Muhammad Bin Ahmad Bin Salih Al Tameemi, from his father, from Anas Bin Muhammad Abu Malik, from his father,
‘From Ja’far ibn Mohammed (PBUH), from his father (PBUH), from his grandfather (PBUH), from
Ali ibn Abu Talib (PBUH), from the Prophet (PBUH & His Family) having said in a bequest of his: ‘O Ali!
Abdul-Muttalib enacted five Sunnahs during the Pre-Islamic period, Allah Flowed it for him in Al Islam – He prohibited the wives of the fathers unto the sons, so Allah Mighty and Majestic Revealed: And you cannot marry from the women whom your fathers married [4:22]; and he found a treasure, so he took out the fifth (Khums) and gave in charity with it, so Allah Mighty and Majestic Revealed: And know that whatever booty you gain from anything, so a fifth of it is for Allah, [8:41] – the Verse. When he dug out Zamzam (spring), he was named as ‘Quencher of the Pilgrims’, so Allah Mighty and Majestic Revealed: Are you considering the quencher of the pilgrims and the maintainer of the Sacred Masjid as being the like the one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and fights in the Way of Allah? They are not equal in the Presence of Allah [9:19]; and he made it a Sunnah in killing one hundred from the camels, so Allah Mighty and Majestic Flowed that in Al-Islam. And there did not happen to be a number for the Tawaaf in the presence of Quraysh, so Abdul Muttalib made it a Sunnah among them of seven circuits, and Allah Flowed that in Al-Islam. O Ali! Abdul Muttalib was neither apportioning by the divining arrows, nor worship the idols, nor eating what had been slaughtered upon the altars, and he was saying: ‘I am upon the Religion of my father Ibrahim (as)’’.
- Bihar Al-Anwar – Volume 15, Chapter 1 Hadith 67 (English & Arabic Version)
¶ Hashem
Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, the great-grandfather of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH & His Family), holds a significant place in pre-Islamic Arabian history and the lineage of the Prophet. His real name was ‘Amr, but he was known as Hashim, which means "the one who breaks bread," due to his generosity in providing food for the people, especially during times of famine.
Hashim was born into the esteemed Quraysh tribe, a powerful and respected tribe that held guardianship over the Kaaba, the sacred house of God.
NOTE: Muslims believe that the Kaaba was Mecca, Saudi Arabia, however, the truth is that the original Kaaba was in Petra, Jordan and we explained this topic here - The True Kaaba
Hashim's generosity was legendary. He earned the name "Hashim" (one who crushes or breaks bread) because he would crush bread into broth to feed the pilgrims and the poor during times of famine. His selflessness in providing for the needy, especially during times of hardship, made him beloved and respected among the people of and beyond. His actions established a legacy of generosity and care for others that would be exemplified by his descendants, including the Prophet Muhammad.
Hashim married Salma bint Amr from the influential Banu Najjar tribe in Yathrib (later known as Medina). Hashim and Salma had a son, Abdul-Muttalib (born as Shaybah), who would later become the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Shaybah (Abdul-Muttalib): Shaybah was initially raised in Yathrib by his maternal family after Hashim's death. When he was older, his uncle Muttalib brought him back to Hashim’s homeland, where he became known as Abdul-Muttalib. He eventually became the leader of the Quraysh and continued his father's legacy of leadership, generosity, and guardianship of the Kaaba.
Hashim was not only a successful merchant but also a leader among the Quraysh. He was instrumental in solidifying the political and social structures that allowed the Quraysh tribe to flourish. His wisdom and leadership helped secure alliances with other tribes.
¶ Abdul-Muttalib
Abdul-Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH & His Family), is a figure of immense significance in Islamic history. He is remembered for his leadership, wisdom, and pivotal role in the Quraysh tribe, as well as for being the custodian of the Kaaba. His life laid the groundwork for the future mission of his grandson, the Prophet Mohammed.
¶ Early Life and Background
Abdul-Muttalib was born with the name Shaybah ibn Hashim. His father was Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, a respected leader of the Quraysh, and his mother was Salma bint Amr from the influential Banu Najjar tribe in Yathrib (later known as Medina). Abdul-Muttalib was raised in Yathrib by his mother and her family after his father Hashim passed away on a trading journey in Gaza, Palestine.
His nickname, Abdul-Muttalib, which means "servant of Muttalib," came about when his uncle Muttalib, who succeeded Hashim as the leader of the Quraysh, brought him back to his homeland. The people initially thought Shaybah was Muttalib's servant, leading to the name that he would be known by throughout his life.
¶ Leadership of the Quraysh
When Muttalib died, Abdul-Muttalib took over as the leader of the Quraysh tribe. His leadership was marked by significant events that would later be seen as signs of divine favor and protection over the future Prophet.
One of the most notable achievements of Abdul-Muttalib was the re-discovery of the Zamzam well. According to tradition, the well, which had provided water to the people during the time of Prophet Ismail (Ishmael), had been buried and lost for many generations.
Abdul-Muttalib had a dream in which he was instructed to dig at a specific spot near the Kaaba. He followed the dream and miraculously uncovered the Zamzam well, which began to flow again. This event significantly enhanced his prestige and solidified his position as a leader of the Quraysh. The well became a crucial source of water for pilgrims and residents.
¶ The Year of the Elephant:
Perhaps the most famous event associated with Abdul-Muttalib was the incident of the Year of the Elephant (570 CE), the same year the Prophet Mohammed was born. The Christian ruler of Yemen, Abraha, attempted to destroy the Kaaba with a large army that included war elephants.
As the leader Abdul-Muttalib refused to defend the Kaaba with arms, instead, he prayed to Allah for protection, declaring that the Kaaba belonged to Allah and He would defend it. According to Islamic tradition, Allah sent a flock of birds (known as Ababil) to pelt the invading army with stones, causing their defeat. This miraculous event further elevated Abdul-Muttalib’s stature and underscored the sacredness of the Kaaba.
Abdul-Muttalib was known for his fairness, generosity, and strong leadership. He was deeply respected by the Quraysh and other tribes for his wisdom and ability to resolve disputes.
Abdul-Muttalib had several children, the most famous of whom were Abdullah, the father of the Prophet Mohammed, and Abu Talib, who would become the Prophet’s guardian after the death of his parents. He also had daughters, including Safiyyah, the mother of the Prophet's cousin and close companion, Zubair ibn al-Awwam.
Abdullah, who was one of Abdul-Muttalib’s most beloved sons, was married to Aminah bint Wahb. From this union, the Prophet Mohammed was born, an event that would forever change the course of history.
Abdul-Muttalib passed away when the Prophet Mohammed was about eight years old. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy continued through his descendants. His leadership, protection of the Kaaba, and his unwavering faith in Allah laid the spiritual and moral foundation upon which the Prophet Muhammad would build his mission.
In sum, Abdul-Muttalib was a pivotal figure in pre-Islamic Arabia, whose leadership and faith had a profound impact on the history of Islam. His life set the stage for the revelation of Islam and the rise of his grandson, the Prophet Mohammed, as the final messenger of Allah.
¶ Abdullah Hashem
Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the father of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), is a figure whose life, though relatively short, holds a significant place in Islamic history. He is often remembered for his nobility, his role in the esteemed lineage of the Prophet, and the sacrifices surrounding his birth and early life.
¶ Early Life and Family Background
Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib was born into the respected Quraysh tribe. His father, Abdul-Muttalib, was the leader of the Quraysh and the custodian of the Kaaba, and his mother was Fatimah bint Amr of the Makhzum clan, another prominent family in the area. Abdullah was one of several sons of Abdul-Muttalib, but he was particularly beloved by his father.
The Quraysh tribe held a position of power and respect in the Arabian Peninsula due to their guardianship of the Kaaba and their influence over trade routes that passed through the area. The family of Abdul-Muttalib was highly regarded not only for their leadership but also for their moral integrity and sense of responsibility toward their community.
¶ The Sacrificial Incident
One of the most famous stories associated with Abdullah's life is the event in which his father, Abdul-Muttalib, vowed to sacrifice one of his sons if Allah granted him ten male children. When this vow was fulfilled, Abdul-Muttalib, true to his word, prepared to sacrifice Abdullah, who was selected by drawing lots.
However, the Quraysh and other relatives were deeply distressed by the thought of losing Abdullah, who was known for his beauty, virtue, and promise. They convinced Abdul-Muttalib to consult a wise woman, who suggested that instead of sacrificing Abdullah, they should offer a ransom in the form of camels. The process of drawing lots was repeated, and each time it fell on Abdullah until eventually, 100 camels were ransomed in his place.
Yunus b. 'Abd al-A’-Ibn Wahb-Yunus b. Yazid-Ibn Shihab Qubaysah b. Dhu' ayb: A woman had sworn to sacrifice her son at the Kabah if she achieved a certain matter; she did (in fact) achieve it and then she came to al-Madinah to seek a legal opinion on her oath.' She went to 'Abdallah b. 'Umar, who said, "I do not know that God has given any command concerning oaths other than that one should be faithful to them." "Am I to sacrifice my son, then?" she asked. 'Abdallah replied, "God has forbidden you to kill one another," and said no more to her than that. Then she went to 'Abdallah b. 'Abbas and asked his opinion. He replied, "God has commanded you to be faithful to your oaths and has forbidden you to kill one another. 'Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim vowed that if ten of his sons grew to manhood he would sacrifice one of them. He cast lots among them, and the lot fell on Abdallah ibn Abdul-Muttalib, whom he loved more than any other. Then he said, 'O God, shall I sacrifice him or a hundred camels?' He cast lots between him and the camels, and the lot fell on the hundred camels." Then Ibn 'Abbas said to the woman, "My opinion is that you should sacrifice a hundred camels in place of your son."
- Tafsir Al Tabari Volume 6 (English version)
We find a saying where the Prophet Mohammed said that he is the son of the two slaughtered one, Ismail and Abdullah.
Al Qatan, from Al Asady, from Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Fazal, from his father who said,
‘I asked Abu Al-Hassan Al-Ridha (PBUH) about the meaning of the words of the Prophet (saww): ‘I am a son of the two sacrifices’. He (PBUH) said: ‘He (PBUH & His Family) meant Ismail ibn Ibrahim (PBUH) the Friend (of the Beneficent), and Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib (PBUH).
He (PBUH) said: ‘He (PBUH & His Family) meant Ismail Bin Ibrahim (PBUH) the Friend (of the Beneficent), and Abdullah Bin Abdul Muttalib (PBUH). As for Ismail (PBUH), he is the forbearing boy whom Allah the Exalted Gave glad tidings with to Ibrahim . So when he reached the walking age with him [37:102], and it is when he did the deed similar to his deed, he said: ‘O my son! I saw in the dream that I should slay you, therefore consider, what is your view?’ He said: O father! Do what you are Commanded to’, and did not say to him: ‘O father! Do what youas see fit’. you will find me to be from the patients ones, [37:102].- Bihar Al Anwaar – Volume 15, Chapter 1 Hadith 67 (English & Arabic Version)
¶ Marriage to Aminah bint Wahb
`Abdullah was married to Aminah bint Wahb, who came from the respected Zuhrah clan of the Quraysh. Aminah was known for her nobility, and the marriage was seen as a highly honorable union. Despite its significance, their marriage was short-lived.
After their marriage, `Abdullah was sent on a trade journey to Syria (Sham). On his return, he fell ill and stopped in Yathrib (later Medina), where he passed away. At the time of his death, Aminah was pregnant with their only son, who would later become the Prophet Mohammed.
¶ The Birth of Prophet Mohammed and `Abdullah’s Legacy
Abdullah never lived to see the birth of his son, the Prophet Mohammed, who was born in Petra shortly after his father’s death. Despite this, Abdullah's legacy lived on through his son, who would go on to change the course of history. The Prophet Mohammed often spoke of his father with respect and reverence, recognizing the significance of his lineage and the sacrifices made by his family.
It is unfortunate that some Muslims, especially Sunnis do not consider the parents of Prophet Mohammed, Abdullah Hashem to be believers when it reality there were firm and pious believers in Allah.
¶ Abu Talib
Abu Talib ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH & His Family), is a figure of immense importance in the history of Islam. Sunnis, however, believe that Abu Talib never embraced Islam when in reality he did.
‘Al Manaqib’ of Ibn Shehr Ashub – Tafseer Al Wakie, he said, ‘It is narrated to me by Sufyan, from Mansour, from Ibrahim, from his father, ‘From Abu Dharr Al-Ghifarira having said,
‘By Allah, the One Who there is no god except He! Abu Talib (PBUH) did not die until he declared (himself as) a Muslim by the Ethiopian language, and he said to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH & His Family), ‘Do you understand Ethiopian?’
He (PBUH & His Family) said: ‘O Uncle! Allah has Taught me the entirety of the languages’. He said, ‘O Mohammed! ‘Asdan Iimusafa Qatalaha’ – meaning ‘I testify that there is no god except Allah’, the Messenger of Allah wept and said: ‘Allah has Delighted my eyes by Abu Talib’’.- Bihar Al-Anwar – Vol. 35, Chapter 3 Hadith 18
Abu Talib played a pivotal role in the life of the Prophet, particularly during the early years of his prophethood. Abu Talib's protection and support were crucial in the survival and spread of the Islamic message.
Abu Talib was born into the prominent Quraysh tribe, the same tribe to which the Prophet Mohammed belonged. His real name was Abd Manaf, but he was known as Abu Talib after his son Talib. He was one of the sons of Abdul-Muttalib, the chief of the Quraysh, making him a paternal uncle of the Prophet Mohammed. Abu Talib inherited his father's leadership role and became one of the most respected leaders of the Quraysh tribe.
When the Prophet Mohammed was born, his father, Abdullah, had already passed away. After the death of the Prophet’s mother, Aminah, and later his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, Abu Talib took on the responsibility of caring for the young Mohammed. He treated him with great affection, raising him as one of his own children. Abu Talib was known for his deep love and care for the Prophet, and this relationship continued to be strong throughout his life.
When the Prophet Mohammed received his first revelation at the age of 40 and began preaching the message of Islam, he faced severe opposition from the Quraysh tribe, who were staunchly opposed to his monotheistic teachings. Despite the social and economic pressure from his tribe, Abu Talib remained a steadfast protector of the Prophet and a firm believer in his call.
The Quraysh, recognizing Abu Talib's influence and leadership, sought to pressure him into stopping his nephew from preaching Islam. However, Abu Talib refused to abandon the Prophet. His protection of the Prophet was instrumental in ensuring that the early Muslim community could survive.
On several occasions, the Quraysh leaders attempted to bribe or threaten Abu Talib to withdraw his support for Mohammed. Despite the risks to his own position and the potential harm to his family, Abu Talib consistently refused to betray his nephew. His commitment to Mohammed was unwavering, and he shielded the Prophet from physical harm and persecution.
One of the most challenging periods of Abu Talib’s life was during the boycott imposed by the Quraysh on the Banu Hashim clan, to which Abu Talib and the Prophet Mohammed belonged. The boycott, which lasted for about three years, involved severe economic and social sanctions, isolating the entire clan in a valley outside of the area.
During this time, Abu Talib continued to protect the Prophet and the Muslim community, sharing in their hardships and ensuring their survival. His leadership and dedication were crucial in keeping the clan united and resilient in the face of adversity.
Abu Talib passed away in 619 CE, in what became known as the "Year of Sorrow" (Aam al-Huzn), as it also marked the death of the Prophet’s beloved wife, Khadijah. His death was a significant loss for the Prophet Mohammed, as it left him vulnerable to the increasing hostility of the Quraysh. The loss of Abu Talib's protection emboldened the Quraysh to intensify their persecution of the Prophet and his followers.
Abu Talib is remembered with great respect and reverence in Islamic history. His role as the guardian and protector of the Prophet during the most challenging years of his mission is seen as an act of immense loyalty and love. Many scholars and historians emphasize that without Abu Talib's support, the early Muslim community might not have survived the intense persecution they faced.