THE LEADER OF ARABS, HAZRAT ABU TALIB (A.S.)

Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) was the son of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (AS) and the father of Imam Ali (a.s.). At the death bed, Hazrat Abdul Muttalib told Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s) that Muhammad will be a prophet so support him with your hand and tongue. Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s) was the most respected and influential leader of Makkah. He was called Shaikh al-Batha.

As part of the Bani Omayyad’s strategy, whoever was attached to Imam Ali (AS), every effort was made to demolish their character. Hence, Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s) was on the top of the list. It was emphasized by the polluted scholars that, God forbid he was not a Muslim as he did not say the kalmia of Islam. His I’emaan was like that of the “momin of Surat al-Yaseen” and the “Companions of Kahaf”

Considering the environment in Makka, it was in the best interest of Islam and the Messenger Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) that he should not openly accept Islam.

Allah (s.w.t.) says in Surat Az-Zuha Ayah 6 “Did He not find you an orphan and gave you refuge?” When Allah (s.w.t.) owns Hazrat Abu Talib (AS)’ acts as His own, can Allah (s.w.t.) claim a kafir’s acts as His own?

The year of the Messenger’s birth witnessed a strange event. Abraha attacked Makka and his forces captured the animals belonging to Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (a.s.), he approached Abraha and asked for his animals. Abraha said that he thought that Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (a.s.) would request him not to attack Khana-e-Kaabaa. Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (a.s.) replied that he wanted his property back, as far Khana-e-Kaabaa; his Owner will take care of it. So Allah sent those birds (ababil) who crushed the entire army with small soil-stones in their peaks.

Makkah was hit by famine twice; once when Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was about 2 years old and another time when he (s.a.w.a.s.) had openly invited people towards Islam. The Polytheists of Quraish prayed to their idols to send rain. When there was no rain, they approached Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and he responded by taking the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and prayed: “O Allah, please bless us with rain for the sake of this child”. No sooner his prayer was finished, it started to rain heavily. The second time was when the city was struck with famine and Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) was already dead. On requests from the people, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) prayed for the rain which started right away and continued for seven days. The people once again approached the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to request for stoppage of rain. He (s.a.w.a.s.) prayed and rain stopped. He (s.a.w.a.s.) 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 (a.s.).

Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) was a businessman and used to travel to Shaam (Syria). On one such occasion, he took the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), who was about nine years old. On the way, a Christian priest met them and after hearing the name of the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and closely watching his face, the priest warned Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) about the danger to his life. Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) cancelled the trip and returned.

On the birth of Imam Ali (a.s.), Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and Hazrat Fatima binte Asad (s.a.) proceeded to Mount Qubais and invoked Allah’s will about the naming of the new born. A green tablet was sent to him on whom 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 for a long time.

Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) arranged the first open meeting at his house for the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to invite his relatives towards Islam. This is known as “Davat-e-Zul-Asheera”. Abu Lahab tried to interrupt the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) where upon Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) scolded him and told his nephew: “Get up and say what ever you like. Spread your Lord’s Mission, for you are The Truthful, the Trusted one”. After the meeting, 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.

Later, polytheists approached Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) to ask him to restrain the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) from attacking their idols but he refused to interfere. When they were convinced that Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) will not stop his nephew from speaking the truth, they unanimously agreed to socially boycott the entire Hashemite clan. Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) took the whole tribe to a valley called “Sheb-e-Abu Talib”. This boycott lasted for about three years. In order to protect the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) would place his sons on the Messenger’s bed so that in case of an attack at night, his own sons may be killed but the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) would be safe.

According to a tradition of a Sunni scholar, Amar Ibne Saeed, the Muslims were traveling in the valley of Zil Majaz, when Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) felt very thirsty but no water was available. He requested the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) for water, he was very upset. When water could not be found, the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) hit the ground and a spring of cold sweat water erupted and he quenched his uncle’s thirst!

Before his death, the Quraish once again asked him to restrain his nephew not to insult their idols. Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) 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 Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’s nikah was solemnized by Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). When the First Couple, Hazrat Adam was getting married to Hazrat Hawwa, Hazrat Adam inquired from Allah(S) as to what should be the “Meher”, Allah(S) replied that recite Salawaat over the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).

How a kafir can recite the nikah of the last Messenger of Allah, when the Lady of Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) 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 Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) came near his dead body and said “Uncle, May Allah (s.w.t.) 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 (a.s.) was a poet also and he had written hundreds of couplets in praise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) which are collected under “Diwaan-e-Abu Talib”. In one of such couplets, he says “O Quraish, do you not know that we have found Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) to be a Prophet just as Musa was and his name 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 (a.s.) was a perfect believer (Momin). In the Holy Qur’an, there is a Surah called Surat al-Munafeqoon. A hypocrite (munafiq) is a person who simply recites the kalmia but there is no Islam in his heart.