Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib

Abū Ṭālib ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib (Arabic: ابو طالب بن عبد المطلب‎; c. 539 – c. 619) was the leader of the Banu Hashim, a clan of the Quraysh tribe of Mecca in Arabia. After the death of Abd al-Muttalib he inherited this position and the offices of siqaya and rifada. He was well respected in Mecca despite a declining fortune.

Abu Talib was an uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. There is a great debate among Muslim scholars on whether he died a Muslim or a non-Muslim.

Relationship with Muhammad

Abū Ṭālib was a brother of Muhammad's father, 'Abdullāh ibn Abdul-Muttalib, who had died before Muhammad's birth. After the death of Muhammad's mother Āminah bint Wahb, Muhammad as a child was taken into the care of his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib. When Muhammad reached eight years of age, 'Abdul-Muttalib died. One of Muhammad's uncles was to take him in. The oldest, Al-Harith was not wealthy enough to take him in. Abu Talib, despite his poverty, took in Muhammad because of his generosity. Although, it is confusing that Abu Talib was responsible for Siqaya & Rifada (Food & Beverages) of Hajj pilgrims, yet he was poor.