When news of the advance of Abraha’s army reached the people of Mecca...

When news of the advance of Abraha’s army reached the people of Mecca, Abdul Muttalib advised them to seek refuge in the nearest high hills while he, along with some leading members of Quraysh, remained within the precincts of the Ka’aba. Abraha invited Abdul Muttalib for a meeting where he only requested the release of his camels taken by Abraha’s army.

Abraha therefore said: “I thought you had come to negotiate about the Ka’aba.” Abd al-Muttalib replied: “I am the master of the camels, and that house (Ka’aba) has a master for itself. I am sure He will save it from the attack of the adversaries and will not dishonor the servants of His House.” Abdul Muttalib had ten sons and six daughters. The sons are: Harith, Abdullah, al-Zubayr, Abu Talib, Hamza, Muqawwim (Miqwam), Abbas, Dirar (Darar), Quthum, Abu Lahab (who was also called Abd al-Uzza).

The daughters are: ‘Atika, Safiyya, Umama, Barra, Arwa, and Umm Hakim (al-Bayda). It is pertinent to mention that apart from Hamza, Abbas, and Abu Talib, none of the Prophet’s paternal uncles, and none of his paternal aunts except Safiyya, and according to some narrations Arwa, became Muslim. Abdul Muttalib was righteous, as he followed the path of Ibrahim and Ismail. According to some historical reports, Abdul-Muttalib adhered to the religion of Hanif (monotheism) and was not an idol worshiper.

Al-Mas’udi discusses disputes on the faith of Abdul Muttalib and explains that he is never an idol worshiper. In addition, Al-Shaykh al-Saduq narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) that the Prophet (PBUHH) said to Imam Ali (PBUH): “Abdul Muttalib never gambled and never worshipped idols and… and he always said, ‘I adhere to the religion of my father, Ibrahim.'” (Masʿūdī, Murūj al-Dhahab, vol. 2, p. 109; Ṣadūq, al-Khiṣāl, vol. 1, p. 455) Abdul Muttalib advised his sons to follow good manners.

On his deathbed, he said to his sons: “A grandson of mine will be a Prophet. So, he who will be present at his time must believe in him.” Then he turned to his son, Abu Talib, and whispered in his ear: “Abu Talib, Muhammad will be of great importance. So, support him with your hand and tongue.” According to some historical sources, Abdul Muttalib passed away on Rabi’ al-Awwal 10.

It is mainly believed that the Prophet was eight years old when he passed away (45 BH/578 CE) at the age of eighty-two, or one hundred and eight, or one hundred and forty.