With the participation of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, and with the initiation of the Research Institute of Jamiat al-Zahra Seminary University, the first pre-conference of the “International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” with the title “Subject-finding session for the conference of Abu Talib (a.s.)” was held on Thursday, February 14, 2019, 9 to 11 a.m., in Research Institute of Jamiat al-Zahra Seminary University.
In the meeting, with the presence of some of history professors and clerics of the sisters’ seminary, the Chairman of the Academic Council of the Abu Talib (a.s.) conference introduced the conference and the professors who participate in.
Then, while raising the issue of the faith of Abu Talib (a.s.), Ayatollah Mohammad Hadi Yousefi Gharavi pointed to a poem by Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) that Ibn Abi Al-Hadid Mu'tazili, the commentator of Nahj al-Balaghah (born 656 AH) had referred to, and said, “This poem is about Islam and the faith of Abu Talib (a.s.), and mentioning the poem by Ibn Abi Al-Hadid shows that he was a Shiite.”
Following this meeting, Hojat al-Islam Mohammad Mehdi Sabahi Kashani, director of the Research and Publication Institute of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), after giving explanations about the conference of Abu Talib (a.s.) said, “Since the Islamic Revolution, for forty years, no useful and comprehensive work has been done as an encyclopedia about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) as a supporter of the Prophet (p.b.u.h).”
Referring to the character of Abu Talib (a.s.) and his 42 years of sacrifice for the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and supporting him, he introduced Abu Talib (a.s.) as the supporter of the first core of Islam.
“Some work has been done on this character in various dimensions and it will be available to researchers soon. As an example of Abu Talib”s activities, he has expressed his support for the Prophet (p.b.u.h) in various situations in the form of poetry and prose. Opponents believe that Abu Talib did not say the Shahada (an Islamic oath that one says to convert to Islam). Of course, many Sunni theologians do not limit the converting to Islam to saying Shahada, and they believe that faith (to Islam) is in the heart and not the tongue,” added the chairman of Hazrat Abu Talib Research and Publishing Institute.
“We believe that the deeds of Abu Talib (a.s.) show that no one but a believer did these deeds,” he emphasized.
“Research should be done according to historical propositions that leads to a complete proof of the faith of Abu Talib (a.s.),” suggested Sabahi Kashani to the researchers, expressing the influential role of Abu Talib (a.s.) in the events of Islamic history, including She’b (Valley) of Abi Talib incident (during the siege of Quraysh against the Prophet and his followers).
“About 700 verses of poetry remain from Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) that should be researched,” he added, referring to the poetry collection book attributed to Abu Talib (a.s.), and its translation, introducing the Abu Talib’s poetry as one of the tools to defend Islam and the Prophet (p.b.u.h).
Hojat al-Islam Mohammad Hassan Shafiei Shahroudi, director of the Institute of the Mirath-e Nabowat (Heritage of Prophethood), after the introduction of the book “Abu Talib (a.s.), supporter of the Prophet (p.b.u.h)”, pointed to the exact date of the death of Abu Talib (a.s.) in 26 Rajab, which is confirmed by Maraje’ Taqlid (Sources of Emulation).
He also suggested the following topics for researchers to research:
- Studying the importance of the discussion about Abu Talib (a.s.) in the sayings of Imam Ali (a.s.) and historical propositions;
- Studying the importance of discussing Abu Talib (a.s.) in historical propositions;
- The role of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) on saving the life of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) before the Hijra (Migration) (the first 10 years of the Mission);
- Studying the character and personal life of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.);
- His wisdom, literature, knowledge and patience;
- Although poor, Abu Talib was the chief of the tribe;
- Studying the evidence of his monotheism;
- Studying the Abu Talib’s with Fatemeh bint Asad, and the marriage sermon of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) with Khadijeh (a.s.);
- Studying the evidences of the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (AS) in Islam.
At the end of the meeting, the professors answered some questions of the researchers and the audience.
Click here to see the photo report of the meeting.
It should be mentioned that by the initiation of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, and support and cooperation of the similar institutions, including, “Imam Hossein (a.s.) Holy Shrine”, “Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute”, “The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought”, “Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy of Islamic Propagation Office”, “Al-Mustafa International University”, “Hawza Language teaching center”, “International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.)”, “Mirath-e Nabowat Cultural Institute”, “Jamiat al-Zahra Seminary University”, “Zorria al-Nabawia Research Center”, “Qasem ibn al-Hassan (a.s.) Religious-Cultural Institute”, and “Abna al-Rasoul Cultural and Artistic Institute”; international conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” will be held on Rajab 25, 26 and 27, 1442 (March 9, 10 and 11, 2021) on the anniversary of the death of Abu Talib (a.s.).
The deadline for submitting academic works and articles to this conference has been extended until February 18, 2021.
To receive the academic call of the conference, click here.
The other program which will be held on the sideline of the conference is the “General Festival of Poetry about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)”.
To receive the academic call for the Poetry Festival, click here.
