Abu-Talib: The Greatest Guardian of Islam

Abu-Talib: The Greatest Guardian of Islam who supported the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) in all difficult situations expired on 26th Rajab three years before the Hijrah of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) from Mecca to Medina. The Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) was deeply grieved and named this year as "The Year of Sadness".
On this sad occasion we extend our Heartfelt Condolences to the 1500 million strong Muslim Ummah.
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Abu-Talib:The Greatest Guardian of Islam
In 570 A.D. the Abyssinian Armies under the leadership of Abraha attacked the Holy Mecca to demolish the Kaaba. Abdul-Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's (S.A.W.) grandfather, the Master of Macca, went round the Kaaba praying for Allah, the Almighty, to prevent the invaders from demolishing the House which Ibraheem al-Khaleel(A.S.) and his son Ismael(A.S.) built for people to worship Allah only. Allah, the Almighty, accepted Abdul-Muttallib's prayer.
So, when the elephants and the soldiers advanced to demolish the Kaaba, Ababil birds carrying stones in their beaks appeared in the horizon. They began dropping the stones. So, the invaders around the Kaaba were defeated. Consequently, Allah's power and Abdul-Muttallib's importance appeared! That year was named the Year of the Elephant. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) was born in that year. Abu-Talib was thirty years of age. Allah, the Almighty, has mentioned this event in the Holy Koran:* 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 backed clay* So, he rendered them like straw eaten up?*
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Abdul-Muttalib
Abdul-Mutallib, who dug Zamzam well, had ten sons. Abdullah, the Prophet's father, was one of them. Abu-Talib, the Prophet's uncle, was one of them, too. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.), was an orphan. His father Abdullah died while he was a baby. When his mother died, he was six years of age. So, his grandfather Abdul-Muttallib took care of him. He liked him very much. He thought that Muhammad(S.A.W.) would be a Prophet.
Abdul-Muttallib was righteous. He followed Ibraheem's and Ismael'a religion. He advised his sons to follow good manners. In the bed of death, Abdul-Muttallib 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, Ali(A.S.), and whispered in his ear: Mohammed(S.A.W.) will be of great importance. So, support his with your hand and tongue.
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The Guardian
Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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 Abdu-Munaf. His mother's name was Fatima bint Amr. She belonged to Bani-Makhzum. Abu-Talib was named Shaikh al-Bat-ha. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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, out Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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(S.A.W.). So, he raised his hand from the food and said: Till my son comes! When Muhammad(S.A.W.) came, Abu-Talib gave him a cup of yoghurt.
Mohammed(S.A.W.) 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(S.A.W.) you're blessed!
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The Good News
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 Shaam (Syria), he took out Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) with him. Muhammad(S.A.W.) 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(S.A.W.), 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 Meccan boy's face very carefully. Meanwhile, the good news about Jesus Christ sounded in his mind. The monk asked Abu-Talib about the boy's name. So, Abu-Talib said: His name's Muhammad(S.A.W.). The monk became very humble at his holy name. So, he said to Abu-Talib: Go back to Macca. Protect your nephew from the Jews because he'll be of great importance! Abu-Talib came back to Macca. He adored Muhammad(S.A.W.) He was very careful of his safety.
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The Blessed Boy
The years passed. Macca and its villages dried up because there was no rain. The People came to Shaikh al-Batha. 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(S.A.W.) with him.
Abu-Talib and Muhammad(S.A.W.) stood beside the Kaaba. The boy's heart took a pity on the people. Abu-Talib asked Ibraheem's and Ismael's Lord to send down heavy rain. Muhammad(S.A..W.) looked at the sky. Only a little time passed. The sky was full of clouds. Lighting 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(S.A.W.) became a young man. He was extremely polite. So, people called him the Truthful(Sadiq), the Trusty One(Amin).
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The Supporter of the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.)
Abu-Talib disliked persecution very much. In the meantime, he liked the persecuted a lot. So, our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) liked Abu-Talib very much. One day, a battle 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 won't be absent from you when you avoid persecution, enmity, rudeness, and falsehood. So, they promised him to do that. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) stood by his uncle against Kinana.
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The Alliance of Fodhool
Some people from Macca attacked the pilgrims of Allah's House. A man and his daughter. belonged to the tribe of Kahthaam, came to visit Allah's House. A young man from Macca 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. It was an agreement signed by the Maccan 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.A.W.) was a member of the Alliance of Fodhool.
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The Happy Marriage
Abu-Talib had a big family. He spent a lot of money on the poor. So, he became poor, too. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) felt that he had to help his uncle. So, he decided to take Khadijah(A.S.)'s goods to Shaam. The task was successful. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W..) gave the trusts to their owners. This made Khadijah(A.S.) 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 Muhammadd's uncle, went to ask Khadijah(A.S.)'s hands from her family. Abu-Talib said: Praised be to Allah who has made us of Ibraheem'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(A.S.) and she likes him.
By Allah, he'll be of great importance. Khadijah(A.S.)'s dowry is of my money. Muhammad (S.A.W.) and Khadijah(A.S.) got married. The years passed. Allah gave Abu-Talib a new baby. The baby's name was Ali(A.S.). Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) wanted to relieve his uncle's worries. So, he went to his uncle's house to take Ali(A.S.) to his house.
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Jibreel
The years passed. Abu-Talib became seventy years of age. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) was forty years of age. Muhammad(S.A.W.) went to Harra Cave every day. In that year, Jibreel came down from the sky. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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(S.A.W.), you're Allah's Messenger and I'm Jibreel. Muhammad(S.A.W.) came back from Harra Cave holding the Mission of the Sky. His wife, Khadijah(A.S.), believed in him. His cousin Ali bin Abu-Talib(A.S.) believed in him, too. One day, while our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) was praying and Ali(A.S.) was behind him, Abu-Talib came and said kindly: My nephew, what are you doing? The Holy Prophet (S.A.,W.) said: We're praying for 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(A.S.): Ali(A.S.), support your cousin. He does nothing but good.
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In the Holy Prophet's House
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(A.S.) aged ten to invite his tribe, namely Bani Hashim. Abu-Talib, Abu-Lahab, and others came to the Holy Prophet's house. When they all had the food, our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: No Arab young man had brought his people like what l'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(S.A.W.) 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.A.W.) and said: Get up and say whatever you like. Spread Your Lord's Mission, for you're the Truthful, the Trusty one. So, our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) got up and said: My Lord's ordered me to ask you to believe in Him. So, Who support me with this matter?
Who wants to be my brother, my regent, and my successor after me? They kept silent. So, Ali(A.S.) 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 obey and hear 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.A.W.) looked at his uncle respectfully. He felt strong as long as the Master of Macca was with him.
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The Greatest Supporter of Islam
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 Maccans 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!Prevent 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.A.W.) the words of the Quraishi leaders. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said respectfully:
Uncle! I Can't disobey my Lord's Order. Abu-Jahl, the most spiteful man, said: We'll give him whatever wants of our money rather, we'll make him king over us if he wants. The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) said: I want nothing but one word. Abu-Jahl said: What's the word? We'll give you as ten times as it! Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: Say there's no god but Allah. So, Abu-Jahl was filled with anger: Ask another word instead! Allah's Apostle (S.A.W.) said:
If you brought me the sun and put it in my hand, I'd not ask a word instead. Tension happened. The polytheists stood up. They were threatening our Muhammad (S.A.W.). Abu-Talib said to our Master Muhammad(S.A.W.) Save your soul . The Holy 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 Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) stood up rubbing his tears. So, Abu-Talib called him kindly and said: Nephew, draw near. Our master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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 singing 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.
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The Light of Islam
Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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(S.A.W.) 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
The polytheists' harm became intense. They began torturing them. Abu-Talib thought that their harm would include out Master Muhammad (S.A.W.). So, he sent for Bani Hashim. He asked them to protect and save the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). They accepted bu Abu-Lahab refused. Abu-Talib heard that Abu-Jahl and other polytheists tried to kill our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.). So, he and his son Jafar went to the hills of Macca to look for him. They looked for him here and there. Finally, they found him praying to Allah.
In the meantime, Ali(A.S.) was praying on his righ hand. They were sad to see that there was no one with our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) but Ali(A.S.). Thus Abu-Talib wanted to encourage his nephew. He turned to his fon Jafar and said: Complete your cousin's wing. Namely, pray on his left hand to feel determination, strength, and confidence. Jafar stood with our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his brother Ali(A.S.) to pray to Allah, the Creator of the skies and the earth, the Lord of the worlds. Again, Abu-Talib missed out Master Muhammad (S.A.W.).
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.A.W.) 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(S.A.W.) 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.A.W.). Meanwhile Zaid bin Harith came and told him that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was safe.
Then, Abu-Talib announced his plan to punish those who tried to hurt the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). The polytheists were abase. Abu-Jahl kept silent. His face became yellow with fear. Some of the polytheists urged their boys and slaves to hurt our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.). One day, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was praying. A young man came and threw the wastes at him. The polytheists began laughing loudly. Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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!
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The Ban
When the polytheists know that Abu-Talib would not leave our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) alone and that he was ready to die for him, they decided to announce an economic and social ban on Bani Hashim, At the same time, they cut off all relations with them. In the month of Muharram, the seventh year after the Prophetic Mission, forty Quraishi leaders signed the ban and fixed it to the wall in the Kaaba. The Quraish expected Abu-Talib to surrender.
But Shaikh al-Batha had another attitude. Abu-Talib took his tribe to a valley between two mountains, to protect our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) from assassination. He was always visiting the valley to close the openings where the enemies might pass through to kill our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) at night. Abu-Talib, though old man, his brother Hamza, and some men of Bani-Hashim were always guarding the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) one by one at night. Abu-Talib was always moving the Holy Prophet's bed from one place to another to keep it a secret. Days and months passed.
The besieged were in perfect isolation. They suffered from the pains of hunger and deprivation. When the time of pilgrimage came, they got out to buy some food and clothes. The richest Quraishi tyrants in Macca were always buying all kinds of food to prevent the besieged from buying it. During that bitter period of time, Abu-Talib was as solid as the mountain. He was always standing by our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.). He was fearless, resolute believer. Abu-Talib loved out Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) more than his sons. He was sometimes looking at him, weeping and saying: When I look at him,I remember my brother Abdullah. One night, Abu-Talib came and woke our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.).
He said to his son Ali(A.S.) aged eighteen: My son, sleep in his bed. To know his father's loyalty to Muhammad(S.A.W.), Ali(A.S.) said: But, I'll be killed. His father said: Be patient! Eagerly Ali(A.S.) Said: I'm not afraid of death. But I want you to know my support. Abu-Talib patted Ali(A.S.)'s back. He took our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) to a safe place to sleep in. When our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) went to bed, Abu-Talib went to bed, too. Months after months passed. The patience and hunger of the besieged increased. They ate the leaves of the trees. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) took a pity on the hungry children.
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The Good News
One day, our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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.A.W.) 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-Batha said: Quraish, my nephew Mohammed(S.A.W.) has told me that Allah ordered the white ant to eat your Ban Page. So, it's eaten it all but His Name. If he's right, them end the ban. Abu-Jahl 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 Kaaba. 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.A.W.) and his companions began preaching Islam to the pilgrims of Allah's Holy House.
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The Demise
Abu-Talib was over eighty years of age. He became very invalid. So, he was confined to bed. He thought about nothing but our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.). 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-Batha. 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 hims with his religion. Abu-Talib looked at Abu-Jahl, 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 in here and hereafter. The atheists and infidels stood up. Abu-Jahl 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.A.W.) at any cost. They all obeyed him. Then Abu-Talib closed his eyes to die soundly. Shaikh al-Batha kept silent. He became a motionless body. His son Ali(A.S.) wept bitter tears. Sad cries spread all over Macca.
The atheists rejoiced at his death. Abu-Jahl angrily said: It's time to get my revenge on Muhammad(S.A.W.). Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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(A.S.). They began weeping together.
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The Year of Sadness
Only a few weeks passed. Khadijah(A.S.), Muhammad's wife, died, too. So, our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) named that year the "Year of Sadness". The Quraish increased their harm against Muhammad(S.A.W.) 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(A.S.), 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(S.A.W.), go out of Macca. Your supporter has died. When the Quraish plotted to kill our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.), Ali(A.S.), Abu-Talib's young son, came to sleep in his bed. He was ready to die for him.
Our Master Muhammad (S.A.W.) went towards Yathrib (al-Madina al-Munawwarah). 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 attitudes of Shaikh al-Batha Abu Talib when he was always defending Allah's religion. * Muhammad(S.A.W.) is Allah's Apostle, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate among each other.* Peace be on you O Abu Talib,"the Greatest Guardian of Islam".