ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shia Rebuts Question 29 : Did Abu Talib die a believer on account of which you visit {ziyarah} his shrine?

Reply: From the viewpoint of the Shi‘ah, Abu Talib, the son of ‘Abd al-Muttalib, the eminent father of the Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali ( ‘a ) and the uncle of the Holy Prophet (S), is among the people who believed in the apostleship { risalah } of the Messenger of Allah (S), and among his helpers and confidants in time of tribulations and adversities during the early period of Islam.

The family of Abu Talib He was born in a house and grew up under the supervision of the Prophet’s (S) grandfather, the champion of the followers of the school of Ibrahim al-Khalil (Prophet Abraham) ( ‘a ), viz. ‘Abd al-Muttalib. A cursory glance at the history of the Arabian Peninsula will reveal that during the most critical and dangerous junctures of his life, ‘Abd al-Muttalib never abandoned worshipping God and safeguarding the creed of monotheism.

When Abraham headed toward Mecca with a huge army of elephant-riders with the aim of destroying the Ka‘bah , he took some of ‘Abd al-Muttalib’s camels which were on the way.

As ‘Abd al-Muttalib came to him to get back his camels, Abrahah asked him in astonishment: “Instead of requesting for the return of your camel, why do you not ask for the return of my army and do something to save the Ka‘bah from destruction?” Full of faith and trust in God, ‘Abd al-Muttalib replied: "أنا رب الإبل وللبيت رب يمنعه ويحميه." “I am the owner of the camels, and this House ( Ka‘bah ) has its Owner Who shall protect it.”[^1] He then went back to Mecca, and holding the door of the Ka‘bah , he thus said: يا رب لا أرجو لهم سواك يا رب فامنع منهم حماكا إن البيت عدوّ من عاداكا امنعهم أن يخربوا فناكا O God!

I plead no one but You to repel the enemies. O God! Guard Your Sanctuary against them. The enemies of the House are inimical to You. Prevent them from destroying Your House. ^2 These eloquent statements and the like are a clear testimony to the monotheistic belief and unflinching faith of ‘Abd al-Muttalib, the eminent father of Abu Talib.