The 10th year of the Be’sat (Prophet’s Mission) was called the “Aam al-Hozn” (the Year of Sorrow) because the two dear supporters of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) passed away amid the pressure of the Mushrekin (pagans) of Mecca on him and the believers in his divine message – Khadija (a.s.), his wife, and Abu Talib (a.s.), his uncle and the elder of Bani Hashem, whose death, according to Sheikh Mufid, took place on the seventh day of Ramadan. Abu Talib, the believer of the Quraysh and the protector of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) against the conspiracies of the Mushrekin (pagans), after the demise of his father Abd al-Muttalib, became the guardian of the House of God – Masjid al-Haram – and in the absence of the parents of the Prophet, along with his wife Fatima bint al-Assad, protected Abdullah’s son more than his life (Abdullah was the Prophets father and Abu Talib’s brother).
In an interview, Hojat al-Islam “Abbas Jafari Farahani”, the secretary of the Department of Basic Studies and the Secretary of the Book Council of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) World Assembly, was asked about the various dimensions of this great figure, which is given below. He is also the secretary of the Academic Committee of the International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), the Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h).
Abu Talib (a.s.) played a magnificent role in the spread of Islam
When we study the life history of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and examine the factors of the growth and spread of Islam, we realize that many factors have been involved in this path, the most important of which are human factors. Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) as the uncle of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) who is from the Quraysh and Bani Hashem tribes, lived and played many roles with the Prophet (p.b.u.h) for 42 years. To the extent that without such a figure, the spread of Islam would not have taken place as it did.
“Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), who was a theist and believer in the religion of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (a.s.), had a great influence on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). In the history of Islam, in the works of narrators, historians, and religious scholars, it is stated that the ancestors of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) were all monotheists and all Shiite scholars believe in it. Studies show that they are descended from Abraham (a.s.) and Ishmael (a.s.) in terms of lineage. Therefore, Abu Talib (a.s.) was a monotheistic and God-fearing figure who had a great impact on the preservation of Islam. When the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) on behalf of God introduced Islam at the age of 40, Abu Talib (a.s.) was among those who supported him among the Bani Hashem”, he added.
Abu Talib (a.s.) was the protector of the central core of Islam
The secretary of the Academic Committee of the Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) said on the childhood of the Prophet, “We know that Abdullah, the Prophet’s father, died before he was born. He also lost his mother, Aminah (bint Wahb), at the age of 6, and he was under the care of his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib until he was 8 years old. Before his death, Abd al-Muttalib bequeathed custody of the orphan to Abu Talib (Abd al-Muttalib’s son and Prophet’s uncle) due to his merit and despite all the problems, he did not fail to do so. When the Prophet (p.b.u.h) reached the age of 27 and had to get married, Abu Talib helped him to marry a righteous lady named Khadija bint Khuwaylid. She was one of the chaste women of Quraysh and she had a lot of facilities and wealth. This decision shows the foresight of Abu Talib (a.s.) about the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and the fulfillment of his mission.”
“Also, after the advent of Islam, Abu Talib (a.s.) did not allow the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and the Muslims to be harassed, and he secretly and thoughtfully supported them so that the Mushrekin would not confront him seriously. For nearly three years, along with about 80 other Muslims, Abu Talib endured the harsh conditions of sanctions and living in the She’b (Valley) of Abi Talib (during the boycott of Quraysh against Bani Hashem), and his management, preserved Islam”, Jafari Farahani noted.
Due to enmity with Ali (a.s.), (his father), Abu Talib (a.s.) has been called an unbeliever
Expressing doubts about the faith of Abu Talib (a.s.), he said, “According to the consensus of scholars from the time of Sheikh Kulayni, Sheikh Saduq and Sheikh Mofid onwards, the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) – Shiites – have quoted in all books, writings and hadiths that Abu Talib (a.s.) was a Muslim and even his faith played a very important role in preserving Islam. However, some Sunnis and sects opposed to the Shiites and the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.), such as the Khawarij, Asha’irah (Ash'arites), Salafis, and Wahhabis, have opposed this belief, accusing Abu Talib (a.s.) of being infidel or non-Muslim.”
Noting the doubts raised by enemies about the faith of Abu Talib (a.s.), he said, “One of the main reasons for calling him a non-believer is the enmity and hatred they have towards his son, Imam Ali (a.s.). The position and character of Ali (a.s.) caused many animosities by the opponents, including the Umayyads. We know that after the deviation in the Saqifah Bani Saidah, for more than 100 years, the history and rule of Islam was in the hands of the evil tribe of Bani Umayya. After the murder of the 3rd caliph, Mu’awiyah came to power in the Levant and, with his hostility and stubbornness, created discord and division among the Muslims. During this period, in various forms and with sinister intentions, he showed his enmity with Imam Ali (a.s.) and his ancestors, including the propaganda of infidelity and disbelief of Abu Talib (a.s.).”
The faith of Abu Talib (a.s.) is like the faith of the Companions of the Cave (Seven Sleepers)
The secretary of the Department of Basic Studies and the Secretary of the Book Council of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) World Assembly, explained, “Concealment of faith or taqiyyah is one of the religious beliefs of the – rightful – denomination of Shiites. As it has been narrated, if a Muslim is among the infidel population and feels that the infidels are killing or harassing anyone who shows signs of Islam, that believer should do taqiyyah and conceal his faith.
Abu Talib (a.s.) was also in a special situation – in the environment full of polytheism and ignorance in Mecca, the few who believed in the religion of the Prophet Ibrahim, could not express themselves. Even after the advent of Islam, if Abu Talib had explicitly supported the Prophet (p.b.u.h), he would not have been able to protect the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and the Muslims among the population of Mushrekin and the leaders of Mecca. For that, he was commissioned to conceal his faith so that he could attend the meetings of the Mushrekin and try to thwart their plans.
In a narration, Imam Sadegh (a.s.) said, “Indeed, the example of Abu Talib is like the companions of the cave who hid their faith and revealed polytheism. Therefore, God has rewarded them twice.”
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 (Mrch 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.
