Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib

It is reported in Sunni Islam that the Quranic verse 28:56 ("O Prophet! Verily, you guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He will") was revealed concerning Abu Talib's embrace Islam at the hands of his nephew.[29][30]

Shia believe that Abu Talib was an upright supporter of Muhammad. In addition, when Muhammad married Khadija, Abu Talib recited the sermon of the marriage. This fact has also been used to prove Abu Talib's monotheism. Abu Talib, according to the Shia, was a Muslim and died a Muslim.[31]

Shia claim that the Sunni scholars in the recent centuries also support Shia arguments about Abu Talib.[32]

One of the grand children of Ali, Imam Jafar from a reliable source of narrators quotes that once Ali was sitting in Rahbaha and people were sitting around him when a man stood up and said,

“O Ameerul Momeneen, it is Allah that has placed you in this position however your father will be tortured in Hell.”

To this Ali replied,

“I swear by Allah who sent Mohammed as a Prophet that if My Father intercedes for all of the sinners on earth, Allah will accept it.

How can My Father be in Hell, while I, his son, am the one who divides between Paradise and Hell?

I swear by Allah, who sent Mohammad as a Prophet, my father’s Noor on the Day of Judgement exceeds the noor of all creatures except the noor of five noors: the Noor of Mohammad, MyNoor, the Noor of Fatema, the Noor of Hasan and Husain and the Noor of the Imams from the sons of Husain.

Be aware that Abutalib's Noor is from our Noor. Allah created his Noor two thousand years before He created Adam”.[33]

Once Ali was asked that, Who was the Wasi before the Prophet Mohammed. Ali replied, "My father."[34]

Shaikh Yakoob Kulaini in his book Usool E Kafi has recorded a narration from Dast Ibn Abu Mansoor, He says,

I asked Imam Musa E Kazim (great grandson of the Prophet) ," Did Abutalib hold a position of being Divine Proof (Hujjat) according to you ?

He answered, " The Awliya and Awsiya (righteous friends and guardians of Religion of Allah) had entrusted Abutalib with some messages and divine artifacts, which he presented to the Holy Prophet.

I asked," Was this not the reason of being entrusted with messages and artifacts that Abutalib , held a position of being Divine Proof (Hujjat) near the Holy Prophet.

He replied, had Abutalib not held a position of being Divine Proof (Hujjat) then they ((Awliya and Awsiya) righteous friends and guardians of Religion of Allah) would never have had entrusted him with the divine message and atifacts.

I then asked, " Then who was Abutalib?

The Imam replid, Abutalib, believed in the prophethood of the Holy Prophet, and he died only after delivering the message and handing over the divine artifacts to the Him. [35]

Once Ali said: “By Allah! Neither my father nor my grandfathers Abdul Muttalib, Hashem or Abd e Manaf had worshiped an idol at all.

They offered prayers towards the House (the Kaaba) according to the religion of Prophet Ebrahim, whose beliefs they had kept.”[36]

Abut-TufaylAamir bin Wa’ila narrated a tradition that Imam Ali had said: “When my father was dying, the Holy Prophet was with him.

Then the Holy Prophet told me of something about my father that was better to me than this worldly life and all what it has.”[37]

At another place Ali said: “Hazrat Abu Talib didn’t die until he made the Holy Prophet pleased with him.”[38]

In one if his poems Hazrat Abu Talib says,

Let it be known to the leaders of the tribes of Loi and Teem that at this time of help and support we the Bani Hashim are the swords of Allah, (in support of Mohammed) against this futile effort, of the people (against the Prophet Mohammed) and we are the possessors of all greatness and magnificence.

Are you not aware that it is a great sin and act of foolishness to cut off relations ?

Are you not aware that people's apparent and hidden achievement will be made manifest in the time to come ? Do not be deceived, the blessings of this world are not ever lasting.

Do not let these disturbing thoughts of yours about Mohammed lead you to stupidity, lest you become followers of the lowly and misguided people

You wanted to kill him. Although this desire of yours is like a troubled dream. You thought that we would hand Mohammed over to you and not defend him against you.

(Let it be known that) He is a prophet to whom revelation comes from God. Whoever does not respond to his invitation will eventually regret it.

The elite Hashmi are protecting the Prophet, who will protect him from every oppressor who oppresses him.[39]

At a other place he says.

Whatever I say be conveyed to the tribe of lovey specifically to its offshoot the tribe of Bani Kaab.

Do you not know that we regard Mohammed as a Prophet like Moosa, who is introduced by the previously revealed divine books and for whom people have love in their hearts? It is not permissible to wrong someone whom God has chosen for friendship.

Beware! Beware ! before you are turned to the graves and are accounted for. Lest you forget the extent to which you are bound to us because of kinship and closeness and become a part of the rebels and oppressors.

I swear by the house of Allah that we will not hand over Ahmed (Prophet Mohammed) to the enemy, Even if we have to face the hardships and difficulties of the times.

Wasn't Hashem our father who provided war equipment and bequeathed swordsmanship to his children? This is the reason why we never feel the pain and exhaustion of war and hence never leave the battlefield.

We persevere in the face of trouble and adversity and do not turn back on our promises. Rather, at a time when the big hearts give up due to fear, we remain steady fast in the war because of our honor and dignity. [40]

In another poem, while addressing the Messenger of Allah, he says:

By Allah , they will never be able to overpower you despite their immense numbers and strength. They can only overpower you after I sacrifice my life and am gone.

So invite people to your cause because there is nothing in it that may be a cause of defect or shame. Give glad tidings to the people and enlighten them with your invite.

You invited me and I realised that you are my well wisher. You called me to the truth and you were trustworthy in your call.

I have understood that Mohammed's religion is one of the best religion of that which people have accepted. [41]

• Muhammad and his wife, Khadija bint Khuwaylid, educated Ali
• Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib and his wife, Lubaba bint al-Harith, educated Talib
• Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib and his wife, Salma bint Umays, educated Ja'far
• Al-Zubayr ibn Abd al-Muttalib and his wife, Atika bint Abi Wahb, educated Aqil
• Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib and his wife, Fatima bint Asad, educated Fakhita, Jumana and Rayta

• * indicates that the marriage order is disputed
• Note that direct lineage is marked in bold.