Abū Ṭālib according to ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib

Abū Ṭālib according to ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib

Historical records show clearly that some enlightened predictors informed Abū al-Muṭṭalib of the bright future of the Holy Prophet (ṣ) and his prophethood [nubuwwah].

When Sayf ibn Dhū’l-Yazn took over and became the ruler of Abyssinia, ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib went to him at the head of a delegation. After delivering an eloquent speech, the ruler of Abyssinia gave him glad tidings of the coming of an honorable prophet from his offspring, and regarding the prophet’s features he thus said:

– وسلّم [وآله] عليه الله صلى – محمّد اسمه

.عمّه و جدّه ويكّفله أمّه و أبوه يموت

 “His name shall be Muḥammad (ṣ); his father and mother will die (early) and his grandfather and uncle will shoulder the burden of his custodianship.”[1]

Then, giving more details about this future prophet, he added:

يكسر و النّيران يخمد و الشّيطان يدحض و الرّحمٰن يعبد”

و يفعله و بالمعروف يأمر و عدل حكمه و فصل قوله .الأوثان

“.يبطله و المنكر عن ينهىٰ

He will worship the Most Merciful (God), avert Satan, extinguish the fires, and break down the idols. His words are decisive and his judgment equitable and fair. He will enjoin good and he himself will do good deeds and he will forbid evil and nullify it.[2]

Then, he said to ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib:

“.كذب غير عبدالمطلب يا لجدّه إنّك”

“O ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib! Without doubt, you are his grandfather.”[3]

Upon hearing this glad tiding, ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib performed thanks-giving prostration [sujūd ash-shukr], and concerning that blessed birth (of the Prophet) he said:

من كريمة زوّجته إنّي و رقيقًا عليه و معجبًا به كنت و ابن لي كان أنّه

بغلام فجاءت زهرة ابن عبدمناف بن وهب بنت آمنة قومي كرائم

.[أباطالب يعني] عمّه و أنا وكفلته أمّه و أبوه مات محمّدا فسمّيته

I had a son whom I greatly admired and was gentle with him. I married him off to an honorable lady named Āminah bint al-Wahhab ibn ‘Abd al-Manaf. That lady gave birth to a son whom I named Muḥammad. After sometime, his father and mother passed away, and his uncle [Abū Ṭālib] and I took care of him.[4]

These statements indicate that ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib was aware of the bright future of that orphan, and as such, he decided to entrust the child after his death to the most beloved of his sons, Abū Ṭālib, and deprive others of this unequalled felicity.

This shows clearly that in the view of his faithful and monotheist father, Abū Ṭālib was so faithful and upright that he was worthier than any other person to take care of the Holy Prophet (ṣ).[5] Now, in order to elaborate on this topic, here are some proofs that confirm Abū Ṭālib’s faith.