With the participation of professors and experts, the fourth pre-conference of the international conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) entitled “Abu Talib (a.s.); the believer of the Quraysh” was held in the building of the academic associations of the seminary in the holy city of Qom.
At the beginning of the meeting, the secretary of the International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), the Supporter of Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)”, Hojat al-Islam Jafari Farahani, said, “At the suggestion of one of the scholars of the seminary of Qom to the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, it was decided to hold this conference. He has established an institute called “Hazrat Aboutaleb (a.s.) Research Institute” and has done considerable services to that noble man. With the approval of the Supreme Council of the Assembly, it was decided to hold this conference in cooperation with cultural and international institutions.”
“Formation of an academic council, consisting of representatives of partner and participating institutions; call for articles and publishing the posters in Persian, Arabic, English languages and distributing and informing cultural, research and academic institutions inside and outside the country via billboards and websites and sending by e-mail; formation of four committees of History and Biography, Theology and Beliefs, Authors, and Poetry and Literature and appointing their heads; receiving abstracts of articles that to date about 270 abstracts and original articles have been submitted to the conference secretariat; meeting with great sources of emulation and other seminary scholars and figures; holding academic pre-sessions, the fourth of which is the current one, and two sessions have already been held at Jamiat al-Zahra University”, he said, explaining the steps taken to hold the conference.
“The meeting is being held at the suggestion of the conference secretariat, with the cooperation of the Faculty of the Islamic History in Research Institute of Hawzeh and University, and the History Research Association of the seminary, with the participation of professors and experts”, he explained about the holding of the fourth pre-conference of the International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
Honoring Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) is honoring Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.)
Referring to the role of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) in the history of Islam, the head of the Faculty of the Islamic History in Research Institute of Hawzeh and University, Hojat al-Islam Ramezan Mohammadi said, “Honoring Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) is honoring Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) and we should look at the conference with this view and do our best in its richness”
Mohammadi referred to the life of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and said, “His life is classified into three periods and there are narrations for each period. The first related to his life, before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). The second period is from the time of Prophet’s birth to the time of his first revelation. And the fourth is related to the period between the Prophet’s first revelation until the demise of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).”
“For the second period – after the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) – there are several narrations, according to all of which, Abu Talib (a.s.) followed the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and supported him. And he has also repeatedly instructed his children to follow the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h)”, Mohammadi added.
“Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) loved his nephew, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) so much and never turned away from him. There are various narrations about the business trip of Abu Talib (a.s.) to Levant, which has been done many times. But because Abu Talib (a.s.) loved Prophet (p.b.u.h), he took him on this trip. Of course, there are serious doubts about the second trip that met the monk Bahira”, he added.
“From the very beginning of Islam, Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) widely and decisively supported Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) and followed him. The sons of Abu Talib (a.s.) also did a lot of bravery for Islam and they were always loyal to Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h)”, Mohammadi continued.
Many Sunni scholars have emphasized on the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)
Following the 4th pre-conference, the head of the academic council of the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), Ayatollah Mohammad Hadi Yousefi Gharavi said, “Many Sunni scholars have emphasized on the faith and religiosity of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). Existing narrations, in general, show that Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) loved Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) so much and he showed this issue many times.”
Stating that there are some disputes, he added, “For example, there are two narrations about the time when the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) was besieged in the “Abi Talib Shi'b” (Meccan boycott of the Hashemites). Some believe that the siege lasted two years, and others believe that the siege lasted three years. But during this period, they were under siege for 8 months of the year and were not under siege for 4 Haram months (Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhu'l-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab), and this point should not be forgotten.”
“Many Sunni scholars have emphasized on the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)”, Gharavi continued.
“Although such conferences should have been held before, but in the current conference, the aspects of the fruitful life of the Prophet should be well expressed to the people and Muslims”, said the head of the academic council of the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
The effect of the animosity of Umayyads and Abbasids against Hashemites in spreading false narrations against Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)
The head of the Institute of History and Biography, Hojat al-Islam Hamid Reza Motahhari, also said in the meeting, “The enmity of the Umayyads and the Abbasids against the Hashemite family is the main cause of the destruction of the character of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). It is necessary to hold this conference because no conference has been held for Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) so far.”
“Many articles have been submitted in Committee of History and Biography, which show his place in the history of Islam and the interest of scholars in him”, Motahhari added.
Stating that there are many narrations about Abu Talib (a.s.), Motahari said, “Allameh Amini narrates from Imam Ali (a.s.) that he considers Abu Talib (a.s.) to be the last Wasi (one who makes will or, especially in Islamic texts, one who is the successor of the Prophet) before the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), but in explaining this guardianship, he says that he considers Abu Talib as the agent of transmitting wills (of previous prophets) to the Prophet (p.b.u.h)”.
“In another narration of Imam Ali (a.s.), he says that his father (Abu Talib) never worshiped idols and prayed towards the Kaaba and was a believer in the religion of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.). This shows that Abu Talib was a monotheist and was not an idolater before Islam”, he added.
“The effect of the animosity of Umayyads and Abbasids against Hashemites in spreading false narrations against Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)”, Motahhari emphasized.
“The falsification of narrations was with the two purposes of de-virtuation of the Alawites and to make virtues for other people such as the Umayyads”, he said.
Holding the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), helps to resolve disputes regarding his life
Then in the meeting, the cultural deputy of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, Hojat al-Islam Dr. Imani Moqadam said, “Holding the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), helps to resolve disputes and contradictions regarding his life.
He referred to the views of the Sunnis regarding Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and stated, “Most Sunni scholars emphasize on his faith, but some Sunnis, relying on a single narration, consider him that had no faith.
He referred to the meeting of the organizers of the conference with the great sources of emulations in Qom, and said, “In the meeting with the Grand Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani, he asked whether the idea of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution had been asked about the conference, In response, he was told that before the decision to hold the conference was made, the issue was referred to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, and he agreed.”
“Foreign professors also collaborate with the conference. For example, a Lebanese professor has cited several sources and books about Abu Talib”, Imani Moqadam pointed out.
The poems of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) are very rich in terms of literature and content
At the end of the meeting, the researcher of the Quran and Hadith Research Institute, Hojat al-Islam Moraveji Tabasi, stated, “This conference is unprecedented in recent decades and it is a very blessed event that take place in the Islamic Revolution of Iran.”
“His poems can be worked on as dissertations and they are also very rich in terms of literature and content, so that the text of academic research can also be one of these poems”, said Moraveji, referring to poems of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
While rejecting some skeptics from a small number of Sunnis about Abu Talib (a.s.) throughout history, Moraveji said, “More than 30 Sunni scholars from 4 Suni denominations have emphasized on the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), an issue that should be considered more.
To view the image report of this conference, click here.
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.
To receive the academic call of the conference, click here.
The other program which will be held in 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.
