Abdul-Muttalib’s action brought back memories of Ibrahim’s...

Abdul-Muttalib’s action brought back memories of Ibrahim’s attempt to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Hence, Abdul-Muttalib was also called as “the second Ibrahim “. Abdul-Muttalib got his son Abdullah married to Aamena, the daughter of Wahab. A son was born to them and they named him, “Muhammad-ibn- Abdullah-ibn-Abdul-Muttalib “ (the last prophet-S)[^2]. Aam-ul-Feel (Year of the Elephant) The Holy Prophet (S) was not yet born when his father Abdullah died.

In the year of the Prophet’s birth, Abraha the commander of Ethiopia advanced from Yemen to Mecca along with huge army and war elephants, the aim being the destruction of the House of God. Abdul-Muttalib climbed the mountains of Mecca and raised his hands in prayers and cried. God answered his prayers and sent the birds (Abaabeel) against Abraha’s army and destroyed them in entirety.

Such incidents related to Abdul-Muttalib found fame amongst the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula and earned special laurels for him. The Arabs named this year as the year of the elephant (Aam-ul-Feel). Initially, the Prophet (S) was put under the guardianship of his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib. He was only a child when his mother Aamena died. Thereafter, when he turned eight, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib too became fatally ill.

Before dying, he entrusted the guardianship of his grandson to his noble son, Abu Talib. Abu Talib’s Authority After Abdul-Muttalib’s departure, the onerous task of governing the Quraish fell upon his son Abu Talib. In the same year, Abu Talib, like all other Quraishites, departed for Syria for trade, but in this journey, his nephew, Muhammad (S), accompanied him.

During this excursion, the Christian monks discovered the qualities of the last Prophet present in Muhammad (S) and disclosed the same to Abu Talib. They also warned him of the lurking danger from the Jews and insisted that Abu Talib should return to Mecca along with Muhammad (S) and strive to safeguard him. Acting on their admonishments, Abu Talib returned to Mecca and took real care of Muhammad (S).

When he was twenty-five years old, the Holy Prophet (S) married the wealthiest woman of Quraish, Khadijah (s.a.), and the daughter of Khuwaylid. In the year when severe famine struck Mecca, the Prophet (S) requested his uncle Abu Talib to entrust his son Ali to him so that he could take him home and keep him under his special guardianship.