Ahle Bayt Repo

عربي

The position of Abu Talib (peace be on him) near the Shias

Hadith No: 1

Furthermore, is completely evident that Hazrat Abu Talib (a) died as a Momin and a Muslim by way of these clear proofs:

(1) The marriage of Hazrat Abu Talib (a) to Fatima Binte Asad (s) remained valid
Surah Baqarah verse 221 states: And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe.


Al-Haythani in his book Majma’ al-Zawaid wa Manba’ al-Fawaid

Book of Excellences – Chapter of what has come in the excellence of Zainab daughter of the Prophet of Allah (s)

… 15233 – and from Ibn Ishaq he said, … and surely the advent of Islam caused a separation between Zainab the daughter of the Prophet of Allah (s) and between Abi al-Aas Ibn Rabi’ that the Prophet of Allah (s) was not able to separate them despite her acceptance of Islam and his being a polytheist since the Prophet of Allah (s) migrated to Medina while she stayed with him (her husband) in Mecca…

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Objective Analysis:

(1) Why did the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) divorce Rabibah when her husband was a disbeliever but he considered the marriage of Fatima Binte Asad (s) (a believing woman) with Hazrat Abu Talib (a) (a disbeliever) to be valid. While she was from the foremost believing women. Isn’t this sufficient proof of the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a) except for the one who believes that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) did no in opposition to Holy Quran and the Sunnah [God forbid]

(2) Why doesn’t history mention that Sayyidah Fatimah (s) (a believing women) request the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for separation between her and her husband (a disbeliever) while she was a believing woman who was well aware of the laws of Shariah?

(3) Why doesn’t history mention the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) seeking to separate Sayyidah Fatima (s) (a believing woman) from Hazrat Abu Talib (a) (a disbeliever)?

(4) Why does not history mention the saying of Imam Ali (a) or the pure Imams after him that Hazrat Abu Talib (a) (a disbeliever) should have been divorced from his wife (a believing woman)

(5) And finally, everyone who claims that Hazrat Abu Talib (a) was a disbeliever relies upon a weak tradition which has been narrated by those who bear enmity towards the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and his progeny (a)


Reference: Majma al-Zawaaed wa Mamba' al-Fawaaed Book 9
Hadith No: 2

(2) The second proof: the deception and contradiction of Bukhari and his clear lies

Narrated Al-Musaiyab:

When Abu Talib was on his death bed, Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) came to him and found with him, Abu Jahl and `Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya bin Al-Mughira. Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) said, "O uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, a sentence with which I will defend you before Allah." On that Abu Jahl and `Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya said to Abu Talib, "Will you now leave the religion of `Abdul Muttalib?" Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) kept on inviting him to say that sentence while the other two kept on repeating their sentence before him till Abu Talib said as the last thing he said to them, "I am on the religion of `Abdul Muttalib," and refused to say: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah. On that Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) said, "By Allah, I will keep on asking Allah's forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden (by Allah) to do so." So Allah revealed:-- 'It is not fitting for the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and those who believe that they should invoke (Allah) for forgiveness for pagans.' (9.113)


Reference: Saheeh al-Bukhari Book 65 Tradition No. 294
Hadith No: 3

Narrated Al-Bara:

The last Sura that was revealed was Surah Bara'a (Tawba), and the last Verse that was revealed was: "They ask you for a legal verdict, Say: Allah's directs (thus) about those who leave no descendants or ascendants as heirs." (4.176)


Reference: Saheeh al-Bukhari Book 65 Tradition No. 127
Hadith No: 4

The 3rd Proof

Narrated Al-Abbas bin `Abdul Muttalib:

That he said to the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) "You have not been of any avail to your uncle (Abu Talib) (though) by Allah, he used to protect you and used to become angry on your behalf." The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, "He is in a shallow fire, and had it not been for me, he would have been in the bottom of the (Hell) Fire."

A question to the intellectuals among the opponents: Does this tradition from Bukhari hold any ground against these verses of the Holy Quran?

1) These are they who buy the life of this world for the hereafter, so their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped. [Surah Baqarah (2): verse 86]

2) Abiding in it; their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be given respite. [Surah Baqarah (2): verse 162]

3) Abiding in it; their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be respited. [Surah Aal Imran (3): verse 88]

4) And leave those who have taken their religion for a play and an idle sport, and whom this world's life has deceived, and remind (them) thereby lest a soul should be given up to destruction for what it has earned; it shall not have besides Allah any guardian nor an intercessor, and if it should seek to give every compensation, it shall not be accepted from it; these are they who shall be given up to destruction for what they earned; they shall have a drink of boiling water and a painful chastisement because they disbelieved. [Surah An'aam (6): verse 70]

5) And when those who are unjust shall see the chastisement, it shall not be lightened for them, nor shall they be respited. [Surah Nahl (16): verse 85]

6) And We will drive the guilty to hell thirsty. They shall not control intercession, save he who has made a covenant with the Beneficent Allah. [Surah Maryam (19): verses 86-87]

7) And (as for) those who disbelieve, for them is the fire of hell; it shall not be finished with them entirely so that they should die, nor shall the chastisement thereof be lightened to them: even thus do We retribute every ungrateful one. [Surah Faatir (35): verse 36]

8) And warn them of the day that draws near, when hearts shall rise up to the throats, grieving inwardly; the unjust shall not have any compassionate friend nor any intercessor who should be obeyed. [Surah Ghaafir (40): verse 18]

9) And those who are in the fire shall say to the keepers of hell: Call upon your Lord that He may lighten to us one day of the punishment. They shall say: Did not your messengers come to you with clear arguments? They shall say: Yes. They shall say: Then call. And the call of the unbelievers is only in error. [Surah Ghaafir (40): verses 49-50]

10) Every soul is held in pledge for what it earns, except the people of the right hand. In gardens, they shall ask each other. About the guilty: What has brought you into hell? They shall say: We were not of those who prayed; And we used not to feed the poor; And we used to enter into vain discourse with those who entered into vain discourses. And we used to call the day of judgment a lie; Till death overtook us. So the intercession of intercessors shall not avail them. [Surah Muddaththir (74): verses 38-48]


Reference: Saheeh al-Bukhari Book 63 Tradition No. 108
Hadith No: 5
(4): The Fourth Evidence: The Prophet's (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) Treatment of His Uncle (peace be upon him) as a Muslim After His Death
Al-Nasa'i - Khasa'is Ameeril Momineen Ali (peace be upon him)
Volume: (1) - Page Number: (38)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- .... And how does this compare to what Ibn Sa'd narrated in his Tabaqat: from Ubaydullah ibn Abi Rafi' from Ali, who said: "I informed the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) of the death of Abu Talib, and he wept, then said: 'Go and wash him, shroud him, and bury him. May Allah forgive him and have mercy on him.'"
- .... Al-Barzanji said, as in Asna al-Matlab: 35 Abu Dawood, Ibn al-Jarud, and Ibn Khuzaymah narrated this and the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) only refrained from walking in his funeral to avoid the harm of the foolish ones of Quraysh, and his lack of prayer was due to the non-obligation of the funeral prayer at that time....
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Thematic Analysis:
1 - The Prophet's (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) deep sorrow for his uncle (peace be upon him).
2 - His request to Imam Ali (peace be upon him) to wash, shroud, and bury him, treating him as a Muslim.
3 - The Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) refraining from walking in his funeral only to avoid the harm of the foolish ones of Quraysh.
4 - Not praying for him due to the non-obligation of the funeral prayer at that time.
5 - As long as the prophetic tradition is understood as any saying, action, or approval, we are left with two possibilities: either to say that Abu Talib (peace be upon him) died a Muslim, which makes the Prophet's (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) actions valid, or to state that Abu Talib (peace be upon him) died a disbeliever, and what the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) did was contrary to the Quran and Sunnah, God forbid.

Reference: Khasaaes Ameeril Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) Book 1
Hadith No: 6

He (Ibn Sa`d) said: Muhammad Ibn `Umar al-Aslami informed us; he said:

Abu Talib passed away about the middle of Shawwal in the tenth year (reckoned) from the time the Apostle of Allah may Allah bless him, was raised to prophethood, and he (Abd-Talib) was more than eighty years old. One month and five days after his death, Khadijah, who was sixty-five years old, died. Thus two afflictions befell the Apostle of Allah, may Allah, bless him, (the event of) death of Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid and (the event of) the death of his uncle Abu Talib'.


Reference: Al-Tabaqaat al-Kubra Book 1
Hadith No: 7

Narrated Sahl:

Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.a.) said, "I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise," showing his middle and index fingers and separating them.


Reference: Saheeh al-Bukhari Book 68 Tradition No. 53
Hadith No: 8
(7): The Seventh Proof: The Words and Actions of Abu Talib (peace be upon him) as Evidence of His Faith
al-Halabi - al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah
Chapter: His Marriage (peace be upon him) to Khadijah bint Khuwailid (may Allah be pleased with her), the Daughter of Asad ibn Abd al-Uzza ibn Qusayy
Volume: (1) - Page Number: (201/202)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- .... Abu al-Husayn ibn Faris and others mentioned that Abu Talib delivered a speech on that day and said: "All praise is due to Allah who made us from the descendants of Ibrahim, the progeny of Isma'il, and the offshoot of Ma'ad (meaning his lineage) and the clan of Mudar (meaning his roots). He made us the guardians of His House (meaning those responsible for its affairs) and the caretakers of His Sanctuary (meaning those attending to His service), and He established it for us as a House protected by pilgrimage and a sanctuary of peace. He made us the rulers of the people. Then this nephew of mine, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, is such that no man can be weighed against him except he will outweigh them in nobility, honor, virtue, and wisdom."....

Reference: Al-Seerah al-Halabiyyah Book 1
Hadith No: 9
Ibn Hisham - As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyah (The Life of the Prophet) - Mentioning that Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was the first male to embrace Islam
Volume: (1) - Page Number: (247)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- .... And it is mentioned that he said to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him and grant him peace): "O my son, what is this religion you are following?" Ali (may Allah be pleased with him and grant him peace) replied: "O my father, I believe in Allah and in the Messenger of Allah, and I confirm what he has brought, and I pray to Allah with him, and I follow him." It is claimed that he then said to him: "He is only inviting you to goodness, so hold fast to him."

Reference: Al-Seerah al-Nabawiyyah Book 1
Hadith No: 10
Atheer al-Din al-Andalusi - al-Tafsir al-Kabeer titled al-Bahr al-Muhit - Commentary on Surah al-Alaq
Volume: (8) - Page Number: (493)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- .... It is said that this was the first congregation established in Islam. Abu Bakr, Ali, and a group of early converts were with him. Abu Talib passed by him, accompanied by his son Ja'far and said to him: "Pray for the wing of your cousin and return home filled with joy." Abu Talib then began to say:
"Indeed, Ali and Ja'far are my trusted ones in times of turmoil and distress.
By God, I will not forsake the Prophet, nor will anyone who is of my kin forsake him.
Do not abandon him, but support your cousin, * my brother through my mother among them and my father."
And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) rejoiced at this.

Reference: Tafseer Bahr al-Muheet Book 8
Hadith No: 11
Ibn Sa'd - al-Tabaqat al-Kubra
Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah al-Sharifah - Mention of Abu Talib and the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) Embrace of Him
And His Departure with Him to Syria for the First Time
Volume: (1) - Page Number: (123)
268 - (Marfu' Hadith): And Muhammad ibn Umar informed us, saying: Mu'awiyah ibn Abdullah ibn Ubaydullah ibn Abi Rafi' narrated to me from his father, from his grandfather, from Ali, who said: I informed the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) of Abu Talib's death, and he wept, then said: "Go and wash him, shroud him, and bury him. May Allah forgive him and have mercy on him." So I did as he said, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) continued to seek forgiveness for him for several days and did not leave his house until Gabriel (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) descended upon him with this verse: {It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives,} (Surah Tawbah 9:113). Ali said: And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) commanded me, so I performed ghusl (ritual purification).

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Subjective Analysis:
1 - Abu Talib's (peace be upon him) statement: "All praise is due to Allah who made us from the descendants of Ibrahim," is there any disbeliever who opens his speech with the words ("All praise is due to Allah") except for a believer who believes in the existence of Allah and acknowledges His absolute divinity over all creatures?
2 - There is no evidence that Abu Talib (peace be upon him) ever bowed in prostration to an idol, nor is there any proof that he mentioned a Lord or deity with his tongue except Allah, the Exalted and Mighty.
3 - Abu Talib's (peace be upon him) pride in being from the descendants of Ibrahim, the Friend of Allah (peace be upon him), is this not sufficient evidence that he was, at the very least, one of the monotheists and those who acknowledged the true faith?
4 - Abu Talib's (peace be upon him) concern for the pilgrims of the Sacred House of Allah, the Muslims, and his immense effort in serving them day and night, does this not indicate that he is a disbeliever or of an irreligious faith?
5 - His constant praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) without any record of him ever speaking ill of him throughout his life, and his diligent attempts to complete the Prophet's marriage to Lady Khadijah (peace be upon her), this noble and faithful woman of status, wealth, and influence, so that she could be a support for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) in his long journey to spread Islam, is this not conclusive evidence of Abu Talib's (peace be upon him) faith and defense of the Muhammadine mission?
6 - His guardianship, protection, and unyielding defense of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny), even if it meant his own death and the loss of all he possessed, is this not a sign of his faith?
7 - His will to his sons to stand behind the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) in times of ease and hardship and not to abandon him no matter what happened, is the greatest evidence of his faith. The fact that most of his children attained the honor of martyrdom in the way of Allah and in the spread of the noble prophetic message is also telling.
8 - Finally, all the narrations claiming his disbelief come from vile mouths that harbor animosity towards the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). This is what we have concluded through this lengthy research, and what we have presented is clear evidence.

Reference: Al-Tabaqaat al-Kubra Book 1
Hadith No: 12

...and His saying: (after me who will be named Ahmad)... And certainly Musannaf fi Tarikhis Sageer has bought from the side of Ali bin Zaid that he said: Abu Talib (a.s) used to say: 

and He has extracted from His name so that he exalts him (sawa)

and He, the possessor of the throne is Mehmood while he (sawa) is Mohammad


Reference: Fath al-Baari fi Sharh Saheeh al-Bukhari Book 6
Hadith No: 13

And his name famous amongst all was Abd-eManaaf:...and indeed he has presented tradition similar to Ibne Masood and as for the messenger of Allah (sawa) Allah defended him with his uncle, and the traditions of his protection and his defence are known and famous and what is famous from his poems is the following saying:

By Allah they shall never reach you - till they make to rest in the soil burried

and his (a.s) saying:

you lie while the house of Allah spreads his message - and thats why we fight around him and protect


Reference: Fath al-Baari fi Sharh Saheeh al-Bukhari Book 7
Hadith No: 14
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 Raised by the Polytheists Against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny)
Volume: (4) - Page Number: (134/135)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- .... Ibn Ishaq said: And when Abu Talib feared that the common folk of Arabia would attack him with his people, he recited his poem in which he sought refuge in the Sacred Mosque of Mecca and its sacredness from them, and he showed kindness to the nobility of his tribe. Despite this, he continued to inform them and others in his poetry that he was neither willing to accept the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) nor to abandon him for anything ever, until he perished in defense of him. He said:
You lie! By the House of God, we will not leave Mecca and we will not move away to your command in confusion.
You lie! By the House of God, we will not cast aside Muhammad although we will not refrain from battling and defending him.
And we will protect him until we lie slain around him * oblivious of our children and our wives.

Reference: Al-Bidaayah wa al-Nihaayah Book 4
Hadith No: 15
Al-Wahidi - Asbab al-Nuzul al-Quran
Volume: (1) - Page Number: (217/218)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
426 - .... Maqatil said: And this was because the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) was with Abu Talib, inviting him to Islam, and the Quraysh gathered to Abu Talib to respond to the Prophet's (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) calls. Then Abu Talib said:
"By Allah, they will not reach you with their multitude until I am buried in the dust, a grave."
"Proclaim your command; there is no shame on you and rejoice, for this will bring you comfort."
"And I offer a religion that, without a doubt, is one of the best religions of the earthly realm."
"Were it not for blame or fear of insult, you would find me generous and steadfast in this."
Then Allah, the Exalted, revealed: {And they prevent others from it} (Surah al-An'am 6:26), the verse.

Reference: Asbaab al-Nuzool al-Ayaat Book 1
Hadith No: 16
Ibn Abi al-Hadid - Sharh Nahj al-Balagha
Volume: (14) - Page Number: (78)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- Among them is his saying:
Allah has honored the Prophet Muhammad, so He has honored the noblest of His creation among people, Ahmad.
And He has unveiled for him from his name to exalt him, for the Lord of the Throne is Mahmood, and this is Muhammad.

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Subjective Analysis:
1 - Ali (ra) said: ("A person is hidden under the folds of his tongue, not his cloak.") (al-Alusi - Tafsir al-Alusi - Volume: (16) - Page Number: (214)).
2 - And he (ra) also said: ("A person is defined by his two smaller parts: his heart and his tongue.") (al-Alusi - Tafsir al-Alusi - Volume: (16) - Page Number: (214)).
3 - Thus, since the tongue expresses what is in the heart, mind, and limbs, if the heart is sound, the tongue will articulate what the mind contemplates in lines of righteousness. Therefore, all the poetry and verses of Abu Talib (as) indicate nothing but his rectitude, faith, purity of heart, and sound mind. Here is a brief glimpse of these gems that flowed from his pure mouth in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny), the pure son of the purest.

Reference: Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah Book 14