HAZRAT
ABU TALIB (AS)
Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was the son of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS)
and the father of Imam Ali (AS). At the death bed, Hazrat Abdul Mutallib told
Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) that Muhammad will be a prophet so support him with your
hand and tongue. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was the most respected and influential
leader of Makka.
As part of the Bani Umayyad strategy, who ever were attached
to Imam Ali (AS), every effort was made to demolish their character. Hence,
Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was on the top of the list. It was emphasized by scholars
that, God forbid, he was not a Muslim as he did not say the kalmia of Islam.
His eemaan was like that of the momin of Surat
al-Yaseen.
Considering the environment in Makka, it was in the best
interest of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (P) that he should not openly accept
Islam.
Allah(S) says in Surat Az-Zuha verse 6 “ Did He not find you
an orphan and gave you refuge”. When Allah(S) is declaring Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)’
acts as His own, can Allah(S) claim a kafir’s acts as His own?
The year of Prophet’s birth witnessed a strange event.
Abraha attacked Makka and his forces captured the animals belonging to Hazrat
Abu Talib (AS)'s father; Hazrat Abdul Muttalib. Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) approached the king Abraha and asked for
his animals. Abraha said that he thought that Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) would
request him not to attack Khana-e-Kaabaa. Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) replied that he
wanted his property back, as far Khana-e-Kaabaa; his owner will take care of
it. So Allah sent those birds (ababeel) who crushed the entire army.
Makka was hit by famine twice; once when Prophet Muhammad (P)
was about 2 years old and another time when Prophet (P) had openly invited
people towards Islam. The first time, when the leaders of Quraish were calling
on their idols to send rain. When no rain was coming, people approached Hazrat
Abu Talib (AS) and he responded by taking the Prophet (P) and praying as “O
Allah, please bless us with rain for the sake of this child”. No sooner his
prayers finished, it started to rain heavily. The second time, the city was
struck with famine when Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was already dead. On requests
from the populace, the Prophet (P) prayed for the rain which started right away
and it continued for seven days. The people once again approached the Prophet (P)
to request for stoppage of rain. The Prophet (P) prayed and rain stopped. The Prophet
(P) said “Alas! If my uncle
(Abu Talib) would have been alive; his eyes would be cool by
happiness”. Further, he enquired if any one could recite the poetry of Hazrat
Abu Talib (AS).
Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was a businessman and used to travel
to Sham (Syria ).
On one of such travel he took Prophet Muhammad (P) who was about nine years old.
At one of the stopping place, a Christian priest met them and after hearing the
name of the Prophet (P) and closely watching his face, the priest warned Hazrat
Abu Talib (AS) about the danger to Prophet’s life. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)
cancelled the trip and returned.
On the birth of Imam Ali (AS), Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) and
Hazrat Fatima binte Asad (SA) proceeded to Mount of Qubais and invoked Allah’s
will about the name of the new born. A green tablet was sent to him on which it
was written “I have conferred a special honor for you both by giving you a
pure, dignified son. He has been given the name “Ali” from Allah’s side. It is
derived from Ali (The Exalted). The tablet was hung in Masjidul Haram
Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) arranged
the first open meeting at his house for the Prophet (P) to invite his relatives
towards Islam. This is known as “Davat-e-Zulasheera”. Abu Lahab tried to
interrupt the Prophet (P) where upon Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) scolded him and told
the Prophet (P) “Get up and say what ever you like. Spread your Lord’s Mission ,
for you are The Truthful, The Trusted one”. After the meeting the third day
when every one, except Imam Ali (AS), laughed about it while Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)
said that he accepted the call and promised to support him.
The Quraish approached Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) to ask him to
restrain the Prophet (P) from attacking their idols but he refused to
interfere. When the Quraish were convinced that Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) will not
stop his nephew from speaking truth, they unanimously agreed to socially
boycott the entire Hashemite clan. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) took the whole tribe
to a valley called “Shib-e-Abu Talib”. This boycott lasted for about three
years. In order to protect the Prophet(P), Hazrat Abu Talib(AS) would place his
sons on the Prophet’s bed so that in case of an attack at night, his own sons
may be killed but the Prophet(P) would be safe.
As per hadees of a Sunni scholar, Amar Ibne Saeed, the
Muslims were traveling in the valley
of Zil Majaz
Just before his death, the Quraish once again asked him to
restrain the Prophet (P) not to insult their idols. Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)
replied “If you hear Muhammad’s words and obey his orders you will be happy. So
obey him and get happiness here and in the hereafter”.
The Prophet’s nikah was solemnized by Hazrat Abu Talib (AS).
When the First Couple, Hazrat Adam was getting married to Hazrat Hawwa, Hazrat
Adam enquired of Allah(S) as to what should be the “Meher”, Allah(S) replied
that recite Salawaat over Prophet (P).
How a kafir can recite nikah of the Prophet, when the Lady
of Paradise Fatima Zahra (SA) and the “Youths of Paradise ”
Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain and other infallible imams were to be born out of
this wedlock.
After Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)’s death, the Prophet (P) came
near his dead body and said “Uncle, may Allah(S) 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”
Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was a poet also and he had written
hundreds of poetry couplets which are collected under “Diwaan-e-Abu Talib”. In
one of such poems, he says “O
Quraish, do you not know that we have found Muhammad (P) to
be a prophet just as Musa was and his mention has been recorded in the Divine
Books”
In the light of the above statements, an impartial and
educated person will conform that
Hazrat Abu Talib(AS) was the most perfect Muslim. In the
Holy Qur’an, there is a Surat
called Surat al-Munafeqoon. A
munafiq is a person who who simply recites the kalmia but there is no Islam in
his heart.
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