The guardianship of the Noble Prophet by Abd al-Muttalib had a profound impact on his character and marked a turning point in his life. Abd al-Muttalib held a special affection for the Prophet and laid the groundwork for his upbringing and development. Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) likewise regarded his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib as a man of faith who played a fundamental role in promoting moral values within his tribe.
Guardian of the Prophet
The noble grandfather of the Prophet of Islam, Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, was one of the most prominent and respected figures of Quraysh in Mecca. He was not only the chief of the Quraysh tribe but was also regarded as the custodian of the affairs of the Kaaba. Following the death of the Prophet’s father, Abdullah, Abd al-Muttalib took on the guardianship of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and cared for him with special love and attention. This period of the Messenger of God’s life was marked by Abd al-Muttalib’s support and care, until, at the Prophet’s age of eight, on the tenth of Rabi al-Awwal, forty-five years before the Hijrah, Abd al-Muttalib departed this world. (1)
The Prophecy of Abd al-Muttalib
The noble grandfather of the Seal of the Prophets held a special affection for him, and this particular attentiveness that Abd al-Muttalib showed toward Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) carried signs of his awareness of his grandson’s exceptional station.
Ibn Abbas relates: “A rug used to be spread for Abd al-Muttalib in the shade of the Kaaba, and out of respect for him, no one but he himself would sit upon it. The sons of Abd al-Muttalib would gather around that rug awaiting his arrival. The Prophet of Islam, who was then a child, would come and sit on that rug. The Prophet’s uncles would be displeased by this and would try to pull him back. But when Abd al-Muttalib saw them doing this, he said: ‘Leave my son be, for by God, he holds a great station. I see a day coming when he will be your master. I see in his forehead a sign of leadership over the people.'” (2)
The Faith of Abd al-Muttalib
In one narration, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) referred to the monotheistic faith of his father and noble grandfather, describing them as men of faith.
Asbagh ibn Nubatah, a companion of the Master of the Pious, relates that Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) said: “By God, neither my father, nor my grandfather Abd al-Muttalib, nor Hashim, nor Abd Manaf ever worshipped an idol.” It was asked: “Then what did they worship?” He replied: “They held fast to the religion of Abraham and prayed facing the Kaaba.” (3)
Founder of Praiseworthy Traditions
It has been narrated from the Messenger of God that Abd al-Muttalib established five praiseworthy traditions during the pre-Islamic era, which were later affirmed within Islam, some of them becoming part of religious law.
Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) relates from the Messenger of God, who said to Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him):
“…O Ali! In the Age of Ignorance, Abd al-Muttalib established five traditions which God confirmed and made part of Islam.
First: he forbade sons from marrying their fathers’ wives, and God revealed verse 22 of Surah al-Nisa on this matter: ‘And do not marry those whom your fathers married among women.’
Second: from a treasure he had found, he gave a fifth (khums) of it in charity, and God revealed verse 41 of Surah al-Anfal on this matter: ‘And know that whatever thing you gain, a fifth of it is for God and for the Messenger and for the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer.’
Third: when he dug the well of Zamzam, he made it a watering place for the pilgrims, and God said in verse 19 of Surah al-Tawbah: ‘Have you made the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque like the deeds of one who believes in God and the Last Day?’
Fourth: he set one hundred camels as compensation for manslaughter, and God confirmed this in Islam as well.
Fifth: Quraysh had set no fixed number of circuits for the tawaf, but Abd al-Muttalib limited it to seven circuits, and God accepted this in Islam.
O Ali! Abd al-Muttalib never cast lots before idols, never worshipped idols, and never ate from sacrifices offered upon the stone altars that Quraysh had set up in the idol-house, and he used to say: ‘I hold fast to the religion of Abraham.'” (4)
Taking Pride in Abd al-Muttalib
In a letter to Mu’awiyah, Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) points to the superiority of his ancestors and the courage and steadfastness of the sons of Abd al-Muttalib.
In a letter to Mu’awiyah, who had claimed, “We are all sons of Abd Manaf,” Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) replied: “As for your saying that we are all sons of Abd Manaf — yes, this is so! But Umayyah can never be like Hashim, nor Harb like Abd al-Muttalib, nor Abu Sufyan like Abu Talib, and the emigrants can never be like the freed captives.” (5)
Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) then, emphasizing the courage of his ancestors, wrote to Mu’awiyah: “Where have you ever seen the sons of Abd al-Muttalib flee from an enemy or tremble before the sword?” (6)
The Prophet Weeps
Abd al-Muttalib passed away in Mecca at the age of eighty-two (according to another account, one hundred and ten). This event occurred on the tenth of Rabi al-Awwal, forty-five years before the Hijrah. At the time of Abd al-Muttalib’s death, the Prophet was only eight years old. The Seal of the Prophets was deeply affected by the death of his grandfather and wept as he followed behind his funeral bier. Umm Ayman, who had nursed the Messenger of God, related that on that day the Messenger of God wept profusely. This weeping reflected the depth of the Prophet’s love and reverence for his noble grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib. (7)
References:
1.Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, vol. 1, p. 169
2.Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 142; Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 448
3.Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 15, p. 144
4.Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 46
5.Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 17
6.Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 28
7.Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 1, p. 94
