Hadith No: 5
Ibn Kathir - Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya - Book of the Life of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny)
Chapter on the Objections the Polytheists Raised Against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny)
Volume: (4) - Page Number: (135/143)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
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Ibn Ishaq said: And when Abu Talib feared that the Arabs would overwhelm him and side with his people, he composed his poem in which he sought refuge in the Sanctuary of Mecca and his place there, and expressed affection for the nobles of his tribe. In doing so, he informed them and others in his poetry that he was neither a believer in the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) nor would he ever abandon him, even if it cost him his life. He would stand in defense of him until he was destroyed. He said:
"In the house that is the true house in the heart of Mecca, and by Allah, indeed Allah is not unaware.
"And by the Black Stone when they touch it, as they encircle it in the mornings and evenings.
"And in the moist stones of Abraham's foothold, barefoot and without sandals on his feet.
"And the circuits between the two hills, to Safa, and all that is in them of forms and likenesses.
"And from the pilgrimage to the House of Allah by every rider, and by every one with a vow, and by every walker.
"Then he said:
"You lie! By the House of Allah, we will not leave Mecca, nor will we move away from your command to a place of uncertainty.
"You lie! By the House of Allah, we will not reject Muhammad, and we will not shy away from defending him or opposing you.
"And we will not hand him over until we fall around him, and become oblivious to our sons and wives."
"Then he said:
"With the hands of a youth like a shining star, whose name is Sameed', a trustworthy brother, defender of the truth, and valiant.
"For months, days, and years, it will be forbidden for us, and a pilgrimage will come after a while.
"Then he said:
"And he is a good son of the tribe, not one who denies, Zuhair, a sword, single and without scabbards.
"More noble than the noble, a true seeker of the truth, who belongs to a lineage in the realm of glory that is illustrious.
"By my life, you have become enamored with a longing for Ahmad, and his brothers, the habits of a loving, persistent heart.
"So who is like him among the people, any who hopes, if he is compared to him by the judges in moments of preference?
"Patient, wise, just, and not rash, he supports a God who is not unaware of him.
"Generous in his endeavors, glorious, and the son of one glorious, he has inherited a legacy of enduring honor that will not diminish.
"And the Lord of all beings has supported him with His victory, and made evident a true religion of His that will not fade.
"By Allah, if it were not for the fact that I would be brought to shame, that would bring disgrace upon our elders in gatherings,
"we would follow him in every circumstance, throughout time, seriously, not merely with words of triviality.
"They know that our son is not a denier, nor does he mean anything by his words except falsehood."
"And Ahmad has become among us in a noble lineage, that even the lengthiest cannot encompass.
"I have taken it upon myself to protect him and defend him, and I will resist for him with peaks and high places."
Ibn Hisham said: This is what has been authentically reported to me of this poem,
and some scholars of poetry deny most of it. I say, this is a great and extremely eloquent poem that only one to whom it is attributed could compose. It is more powerful than the seven mu'allaqat and more effective in conveying meaning than all of them combined. Al-Umawi included it in his account of the campaigns in an extended form with further additions, and Allah knows best.