By God Almighty...

By God Almighty, I swear, even if they should put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left that I abjure this cause, I shall not do so until God has vindicated it or caused me to perish in the process [11] .”Seeing his nephew’s emotion, Abu Talib responded, “Go, nephew, and say what you like.

By God, I will never hand you over for any reason [12] .” The Final Years of Abu Talib’s Life The last years of Abu Talib’s life were marked by significant challenges, both personal and communal, as the ’s mission intensified. Despite advancing age and deteriorating health, Abu Talib remained resolute in his support of his nephew, serving as a critical shield for him and the early Muslim community during a time of escalating hostility from the Quraysh.

One of the most challenging episodes in Abu Talib’s later life was the economic and social boycott imposed on the Banu Hashim by the Quraysh. This boycott aimed to isolate the clan economically and socially, forcing them to abandon Muhammad or risk starvation and destitution. Abu Talib, as the head of the Banu Hashim, bore the brunt of these hardships. By the time the boycott ended, Abu Talib was physically weakened due to prolonged hardship and advancing age.

Reports indicate that the stress of the boycott, combined with years of enduring pressure from the Quraysh, had taken a toll on his health. In his final days, Abu Talib’s conversations with the Prophet reflected his unwavering affection and concern. Accounts describe the Prophet’s attempts to encourage his uncle to openly embrace Islam, emphasizing the reward of faith and the importance of testifying to the truth of the message.

However, historical narrations differ on whether Abu Talib verbally affirmed this testimony before his death, leading to divergent Sunni and Shia perspectives on his ultimate spiritual status. Shia scholars strongly assert that Abu Talib was a Muslim who concealed his faith to maintain his influential position within the Quraysh and to continue protecting the Prophet effectively.

They argue that an open declaration would have weakened his ability to safeguard Muhammad (PBUH) against the Quraysh leaders who opposed him. In addition, Shia scholars cite various hadiths and historical contexts to argue that his public silence about accepting Islam was a strategic move to continue offering protection to the Prophet [13] .