Personalities

Abdul-Muttalib, who dug Zamzam well, had ten sons. Abdullah, the Prophets father, was one of them. Abu-Talib, the Prophet's uncle, was one of them, too.

Our Master Muhammad (PB.U.H.), was an orphan. His father Abdullah died while he was a baby. When his mother died, he was six years of age.

So, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib took care of him. He liked him very much. He thought that Muhammad would be a Prophet.

Abdul-Muttalib was righteous. He followed Ibraheem and Ishmael's religion. He advised his sons to follow good manners.

In the bed of death, Abdul-Muttalib said to his sons:

"A grandson of mine will be a Prophet. So, he who will be present at his time must believe in him."

Then he turned to his son, Abu-Talib, and whispered in his ear:

"Abu-Talib, Mohammed will be of great importance. So, support him with your hand and tongue."

The Guardian

Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was 8 years of age when his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib died. So, his uncle, Abu-Talib took care of him.

Abu-Talib's name was Abdu-Munaf. His mother's name was Fatima binte Amru. She belonged to bani-Makhzum. Abu-Talib was named Sheikh al-Bat-ha.

Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) lived with his uncle. His uncle treated him kindly. Fatima binte Asad, his uncle's wife, treated him kindly, too. She preferred him to all of her sons. So, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) grew with a good family.

Abu-Talib's love for his nephew increased day by day because of his good manners and great politeness.

For example, when the food was ready, the Orphan Boy reached it politely. He said: "In the Name of Allah!"

When he finished, he said: "Thank Allah!"

One day, Abu-Talib missed his nephew Muhammad. So, he raised his hand from the food and said: "Till my son comes!"

When Muhammad came, Abu-Talib gave him a cup of yoghurt. Mohammed drank out of the cup. Abu-Talib's sons drank out of it one by one, too. They were all full. The uncle admired that. So, he said to his nephew: "Muhammad you are blessed!"

The Good News

Abu-Talib had heard good news from the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians). The good news was that a Prophet would appear very soon. So, he took care of his nephew very much. He thought that he would be a Prophet. So, he didn't leave him alone.

When Abu-Talib wanted to go on a trade journey to Sham (Syria), he took our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) with him. Muhammad was nine years of age then.

In Basra, a city situated on the road of the trade caravans, there was an abbey. A monk lived in the abbey. The monk's name was Buhaira. He was always looking forward to the appearance of a new Prophet whose time approached.

When the monk looked at Muhammad, he realised that he would be the promised Prophet because he had the personality and expression of a Prophet.

The monk began looking at the Meccan Boy's face very carefully. Meanwhile, the good news about Jesus Christ sounded in his mind. The monk asked Abu-Talib about the Boy's name. So, Abu-Talib said: "His name's Muhammad."

The monk became very humble at his holy name. So, he said to Abu-Talib:

"Go back to Mecca. Protect your nephew from the Jews because he will be of great importance!"

Abu-Talib came back to Mecca. He adored Muhammad. He was very careful of his safety.

The Blessed Boy

The years passed. Mecca and its villages dried up because there was no rain.

The people came to Sheikh al-Bat-ha. They asked him to pray to Allah for rain. They said:

"Abu-Talib, the valley's become rainless. Our families are without food So come on and pray to Allah for rain."

Abu-Talib went out. He had great confidence in Allah. He took his nephew, Muhammad with him.

Abu-Talib and Muhammad stood beside the Kaaba. The boy's heart took a pity on the people. Abu-Talib asked Ibraheem's and Ishmael's Lord to send down heavy rain.

Muhammad looked at the sky.

Only a little time passed. The sky was full of clouds. Lighting flashed. Thunder sounded. The rain came down heavily.

The rainwater flowed in the villages. The people came back pleased thanking Allah for the blessing of the rain. Abu-Talib also came back. His love for his nephew increased very much.

The years passed. Muhammad became a young man. He was extremely polite. So, people called him the Truthful, the Trusty One.

The Supporter of the Persecuted

Abu-Talib disliked persecution very much. In the meantime, he liked the persecuted a lot. So, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) liked Abu-Talib very much.

One day, a battle took place between the tribe of Kinana and the tribe of Qais. The tribe of Qais was the aggressor.

A man from the tribe of Kinana came to Abu-Talib and said: "Son of the bird feeder and pilgrim water-giver, don't be absent from us. We get victory in your presence."

Abu-Talib answered: "I don't be absent from you when you avoid persecution, enmity, rudeness, and falsehood."

So, they promised him to do that.

Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) stood by his uncle against Kinana.

The Alliance of Fodhool

Some people from Mecca attacked the pilgrims of Allah's House.

A man and his daughter belonging to the tribe of Khathaam came to visit Allah's House. A young man from Mecca took the young girl by force.

The Khathaamian man shouted: "Help! Help! Help!"

A passer-by said to him: "Go to the Alliance of Fodhool

The man went to Abu-Talib.

Abu-Talib founded the Alliance of Fodhool. It was an agreement signed by the Meccan leaders. According to the agreement they decided to help the persecuted and to punish the unjust.

When the Khathaamian man got there and asked them for help, some men took their swords and went to the young man's house. They threatened him and brought back the girl to her father.

Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was a member of the Alliance of Fodhool.

The Happy Marriage

Abu-Talib had a big family. He spent a lot of money on the poor. So, he became poor, too. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) felt that he had to help his uncle. So, he decided to take Khadijah's goods to Sham (Syria).

The task was successful. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) gave the trusts to their owners. This made Khadijah think of him. So, she asked him to marry her.

Abu-Talib was very pleased with that suggestion. So, he, a group of banu-Hashim, and Hamza bin Abdul-Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's uncle, went to ask Khadijah's hands from her family. Abu-Talib said:

"Praise be to Allah who has made us of Ibraheem's and Ishmael's sons, made a protected house and a safe sanctuary for us, and made our country blessed."

Then he added:

"My nephew Muhammad bin Abdullah is the best and greatest man of all the Quraysh. Besides, he's better than money because money's perishable. He likes Khadijah and she likes him. By Allah, he will be of great importance. Khadijah's dowry is of my money."

Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and Khadijah got married.

The years passed. Allah gave Abu-Talib a new baby. The baby's name was Ali.

Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) wanted to relieve his uncle's worries. So, he went to his uncle's house to take Ali to his house.

Jibreel

The years passed. Abu-Talib became seventy years of age. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was forty years of age. Muhammad went to Hira Cave every day. In that year, Jibreel came down from the sky. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) heard him saying: "Read in the name of your Lord who created.

He created man from a clot.

Read and your Lord is most Honourable,

Who taught (to write) with the pen,

Taught man what he knew not."

Then Jibreel said:

"Muhammad, you are Allah's Messenger and I am Jibreel."

Muhammad came back from Hira Cave holding the Mission of the Sky.

His wife, Khadijah, believed in him. His cousin Ali bin Abu-Talib believed in him, too.

One day, while our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was praying and Ali was behind him, Abu-Talib came and said kindly:

"My nephew, what are you doing?"

The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said:

"We're praying for Allah according to the religion of Islam."

Abu-Talib said happily:

"There's no harm in what you are doing."

Then he said to his son Ali:

"Ali support your cousin. He does nothing but good."

Adapted from the book: "The Companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w)"