Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim
Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf was a prominent leader of the Quraysh during the pre-Islamic era and a distinguished figure among the Arabs. He was known by the kunya (nickname) Abu al-Harith, although his birth name was Shaiba. Born in Medina, he was raised there until his uncle, Al-Muttalib, brought him to Mecca at the age of seven. He remained closely attached to his uncle and earned the name Abd al-Muttalib. Renowned for his wisdom and eloquence, he attained a level of respect and authority in his community that few could match. He took charge of the duties of providing water and sustenance to pilgrims, and famously unearthed the Zamzam well after it had been buried by the Jurhum tribe. Abd al-Muttalib was known for his bravery and strength; he once boldly approached the King of Abyssinia, Abraha, demanding the return of his camels that had been seized from Mecca. When asked why he would seek to protect his camels while disregarding his faith, Abd al-Muttalib replied, “I am the Lord of the camels, and the House (Kaaba) has a protector.” He raised the Prophet Muhammad after losing his own father before birth and entrusted his son Abu Talib with the care and protection of the Prophet. Abd al-Muttalib passed away in the ninth year of the Elephant’s Year at nearly eighty years old.
Children of Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim
Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim was the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and he had ten sons and six daughters. His sons included Abbas and Darrar, whose mother was Naqiila bint Janab ibn Kulaib; Hamza, Hajal, Muqawwam, Safiya, and their mother Hala bint Wahb ibn Abd Manat; Abdullah, Abu Talib (whose full name was Abd Manaf), Al-Zubair, Umm Hakim Al-Baydah, Atikah, Umaymah, Arwah, Barra, and their mother Fatimah bint Amr ibn Aidh; Al-Harith, whose mother was Samra bint Jandab ibn Jahir; and Abu Lahab (whose real name was Abd al-Uzza), with his mother being Lubna bint Hajar ibn Abd Manaf.
Information About Abd al-Muttalib’s Children
All of the Prophet Muhammad’s uncles passed away before his Prophethood, with the exception of Abu Talib, Al-Abbas, Hamza, and Abu Lahab. The oldest son of Abd al-Muttalib, Al-Harith, had children among the companions of the Prophet, including Abu Sufyan and Nufail, may Allah be pleased with them. Al-Zubair was notable for being a dignified leader, poet, and the first to call for the Hilf al-Fudul alliance. His brother Jahl, nicknamed Al-Ghaydaq, was well known for his generosity and was one of the wealthiest men in Mecca. Conversely, Abu Lahab was among the most hostile toward the Prophet and actively sought to harm him. He earned his nickname due to the brightness of his cheeks. The chapter of Al-Masad in the Quran was revealed about him and his wife after he ridiculed the Prophet, asking, “Is it for this that you have gathered us?” Details of Abu Talib, Hamza, and Al-Abbas will follow.
Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib
There is a scholarly consensus that Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet, died in disbelief. The Prophet offered him the opportunity to declare the Shahada (the testimony of faith), but he declined. Despite this, Abu Talib was a staunch protector of the Prophet, safeguarding him from the Quraysh. He passed away during the Year of Sorrow, three years before the Hijra, remaining an unwavering supporter of his beloved nephew and his mission, defending the Muslims against persecution. His death was a significant loss for the Prophet, who relied heavily on him for social support. Known for his optimism and patience, he referred to the year of his death, along with that of Khadijah, as the Year of Sorrow. His death was a blow to the Quraysh, who held him in high respect, as he gathered the Banu Hashim around the Prophet, advocating strongly for his cause, yet he ultimately died not adhering to the truth he defended for so long.
Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib
Hamza is celebrated as the “Lion of Allah and His Messenger” and the “Leader of Martyrs.” He was born two years before the Prophet, although some sources state four years. He was the Prophet’s foster brother and participated in the second Battle of Fijar, in which the Quraysh triumphed. An avid hunter, he played a significant role in the Prophet’s marriage to Khadijah. Before his conversion to Islam, he demonstrated his strong character by defending the Prophet against insults from his uncle Abu Lahab, recognizing the injustice faced by the Prophet at the outset of his mission. He was well-respected among the Quraysh. His conversion happened after witnessing Abu Jahl mistreating the Prophet, after which he confronted and physically attacked Abu Jahl, declaring that he was on the same faith as the Prophet. This occurred in the second year of the Prophethood, and Hamza ultimately achieved martyrdom during the Battle of Uhud in the third year of the Hijra.
Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib
Al-Abbas was the uncle and companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), known by the title Abu al-Fadl. He was known for his handsome appearance and noble character, having been born three years before the Year of the Elephant, making him three years senior to the Prophet. He embraced Islam before the Battle of Khaybar and publicly announced his conversion during the Conquest of Mecca. As a prominent figure in Quraysh, he was responsible for providing water to the pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque, ensuring that visitors to the sanctuary refrained from offensive language or behavior. Al-Abbas was a supporter of the Prophet even before his conversion, having attended the Second Pledge of Aqabah. He was captured during the Battle of Badr, eliciting deep concern from the Prophet, who spent sleepless nights over his distress. Al-Abbas participated in the Conquests of Mecca, Hunayn, Ta’if, and Tabuk, and he was one of the narrators of Hadith, relaying several narrations to many companions, including his sons Abdullah (known as the “Interpreter of the Nation”) and others. He was highly esteemed among the Prophet’s companions and known for his prayers. Al-Abbas passed away in the year 32 AH at nearly eighty-eight years of age during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, and he was buried in the Banu Hashim cemetery in Al-Baqi.