AbuTalib is the holy Prophet’s (PBUH & HP) uncle. His original name was “Imran,” and his father was “Abd al-Muttalib.” Abu-Talib was Imam Ali’s (AS) father.
Abu-Talib is one of the most important men in the history of Islam. His help to the Prophet (PBUH & HP) made Islam what it is and he made many efforts to make Islam get successful in Mecca. He was the most important supporter of the Prophet (PBUH & HP), and of course, he was one of the first individuals who believed in the Prophet.
The holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) lost his father, Abdullah, before he was born, and he also lost his mother when he was only 5 years old. After that, his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, was the guardian of the Prophet. Unfortunately, he also lost his grandfather when he was 8 years old. Abd al-Muttalib asked his son, Abu-Talib, to take care of the Prophet (PBUH & HP) and be his guardian. Then, the Prophet (PBUH & HP) lived with Abu-Talib, and he raised the Prophet (PBUH & HP). (1)
Abu-Talib was a merchant who was in charge of serving the Hajj pilgrims and looking after them in Mecca. These responsibilities were of considerable importance in Mecca, and consequently, Abu-Talib was highly respected there. He wasn’t so rich but because of his father, his job in Mecca, and his age, Abu-Talib was one of the most important and respected men in Mecca. Regarding his father, Imam Ali (AS) said
“My father was a respected poor person and there was no respected poor person before him.” (2)
He was a poor man who was generous. He provided food for impoverished people when no one else did. (3)
Abu-Talib was one of the most important supporters of the Prophet (PBUH & HP) in Mecca. He negotiated with the elders of Quraysh (the people of Mecca) so that they stop teasing the Prophet (PBUH & HP) and his followers. The elders of Quraysh wouldn’t dare to kill the Prophet (PBUH & HP) because Abu-Talib was with him and his support would have had serious repercussions for them. If they had dangerous plans for the Prophet (PBUH & HP), he would gather them to talk with them so that he could dissuade them and save the Messenger’s (PBUH & HP) life. (4)
When the Quraysh banished the Prophet (PBUH & HP) and his followers from Mecca, Abu-Talib let them live in Shi’b of Abi-Talib (a valley named Abu-Talib). He loved the Prophet (PBUH & HP) so much that he ordered his son, Imam Ali (AS), to sleep in the Prophet’s bed at night as the Polytheists were trying to murder the Prophet. Actually, he was ready to even sacrifice his children to save the Messenger’s (PBUH & HP) life. (5)
One of the most controversial issues that have led to many discussions between Shias and Sunnis is the faith of Abu-Talib. Sunni scholars believe that Abu-Talib helped the Prophet (PBUH & HP) in many ways not due to his faith but because of his relationship with the Prophet (PBUH & HP). They believe that Abu-Talib was a polytheist until his death, and he is now in Hell, but he is punished less than others.
On the other hand, Shiite scholars believe that Abu-Talib was one of the most faithful Muslims but he concealed his faith from the other Arabs so that he could retain his influence on them and help the Prophet (PBUH & HP) in this way. Shiite scholars say that so many poems written by Abu-Talib reflect the fact that he was a faithful person. Some of his poems are mentioned below:
Don’t you know that we have found Muhammad a Prophet just like Moses that his name has been written in the holy books?
Don’t you know that people love him and no one is better than the one that has been given love by God? (6)
Don’t you know that we do not deny our son? (The Messenger) and he doesn’t care about false words?
He is a person with a white face that the clouds rain because of him and he is a supporter of orphans and the shelter of the poor. (7)
The Shiite Imams also have claimed that Abu-Talib was a faithful person. Imam Ali (AS) said
“I swear to Allah that my father never worshiped an idol and neither did my grandfather, Hashim, or Abdi-Manaf (the ancestors of the Prophet).” (8)
Imam Baqir (AS) also said
“If the faith of Abu-Talib was put on one side of a balance and the faith of the other people on the other side, the faith of Abu-Talib would be heavier.” (9)
Abu-Talib died on Rajab 26th, ten years after the Prophet (PBUH & HP) was chosen by Allah. After his death, the Prophet (PBUH & HP) lost one of his most important supporters and because of that he was forced to migrate to Medina. The Prophet (PBUH & HP) was so sad because of that he named that year “The Year of Sorrow”. (10)
Resources
- Sirah ibn Hisham, AbdulMalik ibn Hisham, vol.1, pg.164
- Tarikh al-Yaqubi, Ahmad ibn Abi-Yaqub, vol.2, pg.14
- Ansab al-Ashraf, al-Balazori, vol.2, pg.23
- Sirah ibn Hisham, AbdulMalik ibn Hisham, vol.1, pg.242
- Bihar al-Anvar, Allamah al-Majlesi, vol.35, pg.93
- Sirah ibn Hisham, AbdulMalik ibn Hisham, vol.2, pg.4
- Al-Fosul al-Mukhtarah, Sheikh Mufid, pg.283
- Kamal ad-Din, Sheikh Saduq, vol.1, pg.174&175
- Sharh Nahj al-Balaqa, Ibn Aba al-Hadid, vol.14, pg.68
- Imtah al-Asma, Miqrizi, vol.1, pg.45
Being a Muslim and living in or traveling to non-Muslim countries, always brings about the challenge of where to eat and what to eat. For Muslims who are adventurous eaters, food is not just something to provide energy for a more useful life, although that would be the desire for a real Muslim believer. But here we are not discussing such high levels of faith.
Here we are just Muslims in non-Muslim countries, facing different cultures and tastes and those giant advertised burgers, seafood, various kinds of Italian Pizza, etc., and at some point, we realize that we are not capable of going home and enjoying our toast and fried eggs. That is where we seek an inspiring call, inviting us to eat and enjoy life, and that is where that verse of the holy Quran echoes in our minds: “Say, who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which he has produced for his servants and the good (lawful) things of provision?”(7:32) and thus, we decide to find those “lawful provisions”; The Halal food.
Finding restaurants of all types in all different parts of the world that serve Halal food is not a difficult job these days. From the Far West to the Far East we can see restaurants with a Halal label on their signs. But have you ever happened to ask the restaurant staff if the food is Halal? And have you ever heard the firm reply “Yes, madam. Feel sure. Even our pork is Halal!” This point, my friends, is where our project of finding a real Halal restaurant begins.
In some non-Muslim countries, the population of Muslims in some specific cities or specific areas of the town is quite noticeable. Often, in these areas, the number of Halal restaurants owned and run by Muslim managers is large. We could usually trust these restaurants as the managers care about Islamic law, and therefore the food they serve.
However, in some western countries, my friends and I have come across restaurants in which their managers came from Islamic countries, and so we thought that the food would be Halal. But after some local investigations, we realized that the manager is not a practicing Muslim, and the food they serve is not Halal. Now, what do we do?
Since selling Halal food brings more customers to the burger shops or restaurants, many non-Muslim restaurant owners have decided to serve Halal meat. Therefore, apart from the Halal label on their signs, they keep a certificate in the restaurants, usually hung on the wall someplace all caring customers can see.
Now you might be thinking about how we can trust those certificates? How do we know they are not fake? From the Islamic law viewpoint, you can trust that and enjoy your meal [1]. Do keep in mind the verse that says: “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…” (2:185)
Even in some coffee shops that serve sandwiches, the managers have provided an extra sandwich-maker for Muslim customers with which they do not roast pork and other non-Halal sandwiches.
Living in a non-Muslim country, it is prevalent to socialize with non-Muslim friends or colleagues. It often happens that our group of friends or colleagues decide to dine together at a fancy restaurant that may not be Halal. It is understandable that isolating yourself from the group may have some personal or social consequences. What can we do at these times?
First of all, we can remind the rest of the group that we only eat Halal food, and they may agree to dine at a Halal restaurant. But if they did not accept, what does Islamic law say about eating vegetarian or Halal food in restaurants that serve pork or wine? According to Islamic law, if we did not have a choice, we should not be too harsh on ourselves, and we should trust the vegetarian or Halal food of non-Halal restaurants [2].
Thinking deeply of the verse “Then let mankind look at his food.” (80:24), one may realize the importance of the food we eat and its influence on the human soul. Apart from Islamic law, almost all Muslim jurists emphasize that we should be extra careful about what we eat. Because what we eat affects our souls.
Therefore if we intend to treat our souls and ascend the steps of spirituality, it is necessary to find food we are sure of is Halal. In such cases, it would be good to be fussy about eating in non-Halal places. And if the spirituality of the soul matters to us more than socializing with friends, then better to be isolated for a while, rather than preventing the soul from its spiritual growth.
References:
There is no doubt among us that after our dear Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP), our twelve imams (AS) are the most important figures of our religion. Therefore, today we wish to learn more about Imam Ali (AS) , the first male convert of the religion, his birth, and conditions surrounding it.
The faithless say, ‘You have not been sent [by Allah].’ Say, ‘Allah suffices as a witness between me and you, and He who possesses the knowledge of the Book.’ The Holy Quran 13:43
And among the people is he who sells his soul, seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is most kind to [His] servants. The Holy Quran 2:207
If the two of you repent to Allah... for your hearts have certainly swerved, and if you back each other against him, then [know that] Allah is indeed his guardian, and his supporters are Gabriel, the righteous among the faithful, and thereafter the angels... The Holy Quran 66:4
If we seek the true meaning of these three verses from our holy book, they all point towards Ali (AS) as their primary focus, guiding us to some aspects of his life. Our dear Imam has been implicitly described by The Quran multiple times, highlighting his great importance in our religion.
No one can fully describe the contributions of Imam Ali (AS) to his religion and the people. If anyone dares to do so, they can only convey a fraction of his significance - like a drop in the sea. With that said, we are about to discuss the first question that may come to our mind: how was our first Imam born?
Thirty years after the “year of the elephant” (*) occurrence, specifically on the 13th of Rajab (March 8th), Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) was 30 years old. This was a decade before our dear The Prophet (PBUH&HP) received the initial revelation from the angel Gabriel and 23 years prior to the great migration of Muslims from Mecca to Medina.
At this juncture, our dear Imam's pregnant mother, Fatima Daughter of Asad, was praying at Kaaba. She experienced intense labor pains, leading her to seek refuge at the Kaaba from the pain.
Remarkably, the wall of Kaaba moved apart, providing shelter for her three whole days. After these days, she came out of Kaaba with her precious son, our first Imam, Ali b. Abi Talib (AS). Imam’s birth was an exceptional honor bestowed upon Islamic nation, and the extraordinary events – the walls moving, his mother’s presence in the holy site of Islam, and his unique birth in the Kaaba - all signified the greatness of the son of the Kaaba.
Fatima Daughter of Asad was the second woman to convert to Islam (after Prophet’s wife, Khadija (SA)). She had the privilege of taking care of the Prophet (PBUH&HP) from the age of eight until his youth in the house of Abu-Talib. Their relationship was so close that Prophet (PBUH&HP) referred to her as “mother,” establishing the early bond that linked the Prophet (PBUH&HP) and Imam Ali (AS) as brothers.
1. Sheikh Mofid (died in 413th AH): our first Imam, Ali b. Abi Talib (AS), was born on Friday the 13th of Rajab, thirty years after the Year of the Elephant in Mecca. No one ever had been born in the Kaaba before or after him. His birth was the great honor, showcasing his distinction over other men of his age.
2. Allamah Al-Hilli (died in 726th AH): Imam Ali (PBUH) was born on Friday the 13th of Rajab and thirty years after the Year of the Elephant. No one before or after him was born in the Kaaba during that time. The Prophet (PBUH&HP) was thirty years old back then.
Sunni point of view regarding the Imam’s birth
Many Sunni scholars believe that the Imam’s birth took place in the Kaaba. Some even hold the view that occurrence was exclusively for the Imam. A few of the scholars’ perspectives are as follows:
1. Al-Hakim al-Nishapuri (died in 658th lunar year): Numerous consecutive narrations indicate that Fatima bt. Asad gave birth to Ali b. Abi Talib in the Kaaba.
2. Sibt ibn al-Jawzi Hanafi (died in 654th lunar year): It has been narrated that when Fatima bt. Asad was pregnant and performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, she experienced intense labor pain. She sought refuge in the Kaaba, and suddenly, the Kaaba’s door opened for her, so she entered and gave birth to her child.
Syed Ismail Himayari (died in 173rd AH) was one of the greatest poets of Arabic literature. He composed a poem about this unique birth:
His mother bore him in the God’s safe site; God’s house and masque was his birth place
He was pure and noble; his mother, his child, and his birthplace too
On one of the darkest nights, he appeared with celestial purity
No child, except for Amine’s child, is honored like him.
References:
- Kitab al-Kafi (first Volume – page 452)
- Kitab al-Irshad (first Volume – page 5)
- I'lam al-Wara bi A'lam al-Huda (first Volume – page 306)
- Bihar al-Anwar (35th Volume – page 182)
- Description of Nahj al-Balagha (first Volume – page 6)
- Manaqib Ale Abi Talib (third Volume – page 307)
- Rawżat al-Vaeezin (page 81)
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* In that year, Kaaba invaded by faithless king Abraha and his great elephant army and ironically saved by Allah himself with an army of birds carrying small stones by their pecks that penetrate the elephants body and skull and all of them got killed and Kaaba was saved.