Faith In His Poems

Out of the many responsibielites of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) was to protect the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.)  and to make people awareof his prophethood and his position which is clearly apparent in his poems.

Acknowledging the Truth

In one of his poems he says :

“If Ahmed (s.a.w.w.) has come to you, then indeed he has brought truth to you and not falsehood.”

At another place he says:

“ We know that you only are the truthful Prophet sent by Allah (s.w.t.) and the most honourable has reveled to you the Holy Book.

In another poem while answering the enemies he says:,

“These people damand of me that I stop helping him who has come with a message of guidance”

The above verses clearly dipict the belief of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) in Allah (s.w.t.) and the Holy Quran. Now if this is not faith then what is it….???

Acknowledging the Prophet hood of the Holy Prophet  (s.a.w.w.) and Islam as the Best Religion

In one of his other poems he says that:

“Don’t you people know that we found Mohammed (s.a.w.w.) as a Prophet as was Mosa (as) and this has been written in previously reveled books. And who can be greater than the one who is selected by Allah (s.w.t.) as his loved one and love form him will find way to the hearts of the people.

At another Place he says:,

"And surely I know that the religion of Mohammed (s.a.w.w.) is better than all the religions of the world."

If a person doubts the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) after reading these verses then it in fact puts a doubt in our minds about his own faith and commitment. 

Praising the  Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.)

At one place he says:,

"O Mohammed (s.a.w.w.)only you are the highly honured leader of the Prophets who has been selected for guidance of his people, You are the leader of the most honourable ones who are pure and their place of birth is pure."

At another place he says:

"Allah(s.w.t.)  has honoured Mohammed (s.a.w.w.) with such high position and rights that he is the most high from among all  his creation and hence he has derived his name from one of His (s.w.t.) own names. He (s.w.t.) is the master of the throne “ Mahmood” and this is Mohammed (s.a.w.w.)."

At another place while praising the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) he says",

“If it is asked that with respect to family and tribe who is the most superior in the would? Then He (s.a.w.w.) has the most honourable ancestor Abde Manaf (as) (the great grandfather of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) ) and he has been honoured by the virtuous Hashim (as). And the people of the tribe of Banu Hashim are hign and elevated as the stars in the heavens and the best of the Banu Hashim is Ahmed (s.a.w.w.) himself who is the messanger of Allah (s.w.t) after a long period of darkness.

Conclusion

All the above verses shows the deep rooted faith of Hazrat Abutalib (as) in the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) and the religion he had brought from the Almighty (s.a.w.).

Care Taker Of the Holy Kaaba

I would like to quote two verses from the Holy Quran

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَابْتَغُواْ إِلَيهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah, and seek the way of approach unto Him, and strive in His way in order that ye may succeed.(5:35)

In this verse Allah (s.w.t.) tells the believer to reach the level of takwa and piety. It should be noted that takwa is a higher level of faith when a person tries to abstain not only from the Haram acts but also from the Makrooh ones. He tries to perform not only the compulsory ones but also tries to perform the Mustahab ones.

Every believer might not be a muttaqi but every muttaqi has to be a believer.

وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلاَّ يُعَذِّبَهُمُ اللّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُواْ أَوْلِيَاءهُ إِنْ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُ إِلاَّ الْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ

But what plea have they that Allah should not punish them, when they keep out (men) from the sacred Mosque - and they are not its guardians? No men can be its guardians except the righteous; but most of them do not understand.    (8:34)

In the above verse Allah (s.w.t.) says that none can be the guardian of the Holy House except the righteous. (ie except the muttaqi)

Now, its an undisputed historical fact that Hazrat Abu Talib (as) was the guardian and the caretaker of the Holy House. Relating both the verses of the Quran we come to the conclusion that Hazrat Abu Talib (as) was not only a believer but his faith was of a higher lever then ordinary people.

And when Allah (s.w.t.) calls comebody a pious one then questioning his belief is questioning the words of Allah (s.w.t.) and any body who questions the words of Allah (s.w.t.) is a Kafir.

One point which I would like to quote over here is that a rightful caretaker of the House Of Allah (s.w.t.) would only be the one who  is appointed by Allah (s.w.t.) himself, and not those who have usurped the rights of the rightful owners as is the case today.

Proofs From The Holy Quran

There are numerous places where Allah (s.w.t.) has referred to Hazrat Abutalib (aS) in the Holy Quran.

Proof1

Surae Aale Imran Verse No. 33

 إِنَّ اللّهَ اصْطَفَى آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of 'Imran above all people,-

Hazrat Abu Talib (as) was born in the year 540 A.H. in Mecca. Most of the scholars are of the opinion that your name was Imran and Abdutalib was  your agnomen which was because of your son Talib. Allah (s.w.t.) had selected him for his important tasks  which is evident from the above given verse of the Holy Quran.

Allah (s.w.t.) tells in the above Aayats that he chose the family Of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) above all people as he chose Adam (as), Nooh (as), and the family of Ibrahim (as),thus keeping them at par with each other. 

As was the lofty position of Ibrahim (as) in front of Allah (s.w.t.) so was the position of Hazrat Abutalib (as).

Why would Allah (s.w.t.) choose the family of an unbeliever?, who does not believe in him, and allot him a lofty position as he allotted to his Prophets.

A point to be clarified over here is that in all there were three Imrans in history. The Father of Hazrat Musa (as), the father of Janabe Maryam (s.a) and the father of Hazrat Ali (as).

The Imran refered to over here could be non other than the father of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) because the progeny of the other two Imrans were discontinued and its only the progeny of Hazrat Abutalib (as) that continues up till today.

Proof2

Sura e Balad Verse N. 1,2,3

لَا أُقْسِمُ بِهَذَا الْبَلَدِ    وَأَنتَ حِلٌّ بِهَذَا الْبَلَدِ    وَوَالِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ

Nay, I swear by this city, And thou art an indweller of this city,And the begetter and that which he beget,

I the above three verses of Sura e Balad Allah (s.w.t) swears by the city of Mecca and By the Holy Prophet and by the Begetter and which he beget.

Now the begetter and which he beget referred in this aayat are non other than Hazrat Abutalib (as) and his off springs. If no, then can then entire Islamic world find out One father and One son at that time who are worthy of Allah (s.w.t.)’s swear.

Its against the standard of the High and the Majestic that he swears by something irrelevant. Thus the High and Majestic swearing by Hazrat Abu Talib (as) in fact shows his high and lofty position in the eyes of Allah (s.w.t.).

Allah (s.w.t.) swears not only by Hazrat Abu Talib (as) but also his off springs, this clearly shows that all the off springs of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) were devoted, religious, pious and virtuous people. 

Any question on any of the off springs of Hazrat Abu Talib (as), including Hazrat Aqeel, in fact questions these words of Allah (s.w.t.).

Would Allah(s.w.t.) swear by an unbeliever..??

Proof3

Surae Zoha Verse No 6.

أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَى

Has He not found thee an orphan, and given thee shelter?

In the above Verse Allah (s.w.t.) calls the protection and care provided by Hazrat Abu Talib (as) as his care and His protection. Allah (s.w.t.) refers to the lap of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) as his own Lap. 

This verse infact is a praise, euology and acknowledgement of Hazrat Abu Talib (as) lifelong service and  selfless efforts.

Now, would Allah (s.w.t.) call the actions of an unbeliever as his own actions ...??

Proof4

 قَدْ جَاءكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ

Now there has come unto you from God a light, and a clear divine writ,(5:15)

Allah (s.w.t) has reveled the Holy Quran as well as the Light of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) which are at par with each other. Infact according to the Ahadees of Aaima (as) the Light of Ahlulbait (as) is better then the Holy Quran because, the Holy Quran is Quran e Samit while the Holy Ahlulbait (as) are Quran e Natik.

Quran is Kalamullah, while Holy Ahlulbait (as) are Wajhullah, Ainullah, Jambhullah, Yadullah etc.

As the Holy Quran is neverplaced on a najis ‘rahal’ (stand), similarly this pure and pious nor could never be placed in najiss and impure backs and wombs.

Kalma Of Hazrat Abu Talib (aS)

In one of his poems he openly announces his faith, he says:

“Let it be know to everyone that I am on the religion of Ahmed (s.a.w.w.) and if some people are misguided (then let them be so) but I am definitely guided.

The above verses prove beyond doubt his belief in the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) and his religon as the right path and those on his religion to be guided ones. 

This would be sufficient  proof for people with vision and understanding but for the delude, injudicious and the misguided people whom the impurity of illegitimicy prevents from seeing the truth we quote ahead.

Food For Thought

First

Leaving all the arguments aside it does not appeal to thought that Hazrat Abutalib (as) did not believe in the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.)

I ask you. You are a muslim and you believe in Allah (s.w.t.) and Prophet Muhammad (SAW). You are a staunch follower of your religion. If your nephew, starts to propagate a new religion, which abuses your god Allah as well as his prophet (SAW), (god forbid), what will you do to your own nephew?

Will you protect him from people who are after his life due to his spreading of blasphemous beliefs? Will you support him in his mission to falsify your very own religion, God and prophet?

Will you allow your nephew to insult your Prophet and propagate his new religion and belief? Or will you stop your nephew from doing so, condemn him and make efforts to kill off his blasphemous beliefs?

Furthermore, will you allow your son to assist and accompany your nephew on his blasphemous beliefs just because you love your nephew? Do remember that we don't even tolerate if some one says evil about the companions of Prophet (SAW), save the prophet himself.

If you support this mission of his, you are either a secret follower of his ways or you don't take your own religion seriously, or you are insane.

Abu Talib (AS) has been the supporter of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) since his childhood and has been a staunch protector of the prophet since the start of his mission.

When a Meccan threw some dirt on the Messenger while he was prostrating, Abu Talib went on brandishing his sword and took revenge of the insult

(Ref: Khazanatal Adaab by Khateeb Baghdadi, v 1 p 261,Tareekh of Ibn Katheer, v 3 p 42,Sharh of Ibn al Hadid, v 3 p 306)

The Quraish decided to put an end to the Prophet and his family in a state of siege and excommunication till they were all done away with, it was Hazrat Abu Talib (as) who supported the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) whole heartedly.

This clearly shows that Hazrat Abu Talib (as) believed in the mission and the message of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) and was one of his trusted aide and follower.

This  show clear signs of love between the Prophet (SAW) and Abu Talib (AS). Abu Talib (AS) spent his life helping the Prophet (SAW). He would sacrifice his life and his reputation and even his son for this man. 

Why would any man help someone who tries to destroy their pagan beliefs? It is evident that Abu Talib (AS) was religious, whether he was a pagan or a Muslim, therefore, if he was a pagan, then he would not help someone to destroy his Gods. No matter who they were.

These scholars have fought to preserve the truth and respect for this noble character of Islam. Without Abu Talib (AS), the Prophet (SAW) would not have been able to overcome such odds. It is indeed this man (amongst many others) which you need to thank as it is he who has helped Islam become alive. 

It is foolish to say that he helps to create a religion but he believes it to be false.

Second

Lets say Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, a Hindu all his life is on his death bed and I am telling him to recite the Kalimah! Would this sound right! I'll be mad if I tell a Hindu to recite Kalimah when he is about to breath his last.

How can I ask a Hindu to recite Kalimah on his deathbed when he rejected the very religion throughout his life. What made me think that he will accept the same faith in the last moment which he rejected every moment of life he lived. 

If however a Muslim is on his deathbed, I may tell him to recite Kalimah for one final time! makes sense?

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) asking Hazrat Abu Talib (as) to recite the kalimah at time of his death itself is an ideal proof of his being a Muslim.



Third

Another logical argument which goes over here is that Hazrat Abdul Muttalib named his sons Imran & Abdullah, both of which are Muslim names. I ask the reader to locate 1 nonbeliever in the entire world who gives Muslim names to his sons. If  you are a Muslim than would you name your sons Ram & Laxman. Giving Muslim names to ones children proves the faith of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (as) as well as of his sons.

Now I know that an evil mind would argue that names are decided by parents when children are very small and children do not have any say in it. So the same argument can be applied for Hazrat Imran (as) who named his son Talib which is once again a Muslim name.

If your father had named you Shiva which is not a Muslim name then would you continue with that name on reaching matuarity, or would you change it to some thing more Islamic. In fact it is commonly seen that the first thing which people do after changing their religion is to change their name according to the new religion they have adopted.

Thus Hazrat Imran (as) continuing with the same name and in fact naming his son Talib both of them are a strong proof of his being a believer. 

False Allegations

The False Allegation


One of the greatest accusations levelled against Abu Talib (as) by the non-Shia’h is that he died as a Kafir (Mazallah, Astagfirullah) meaning as ‘a pagan’. They have based their opinion on this narration that:

When Abu Talib was on his deathbed, the Holy Prophet (saww) went to him while Abu Jahl was sitting beside him. The Holy Prophet (saww) said to him:

“O Uncle! Say LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH – an expression with which I will defend your case before Allah (SWT)”. Abu Jahl and Abdullah bin Umayyah said, “O Abu Talib! Will you leave the religion of Abdul-Muttalib?” They kept saying this till Abu Talib’s last statement was, “I am on the religion of Abdul-Muttalib”. 

So the Holy Prophet (saww) said, “I will keep asking Allah for your forgiveness unless I am forbidden to do so”. 

Thereupon, verse 113 of Surah al-Tawbah was revealed, in which Allah (SWT) says, “It does not befit the Prophet and the believers to ask Allah’s forgiveness for the pagans, even if they were their near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of Hellfire”.

(Ref : Galat Bukhari)

“It does not befit the Prophet and the believers to ask Allah’s forgiveness for the pagans, even if they were their near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of Hellfire”.(9:113)

This verse was not revealed for Abu Talib (as). How can this be established?

Proof 1

Hazrat Abu Talib (as) had passed away in Makkah before Hijrah whereas this verse is of Surah al-Tawbah and it was revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah. The long gap between the two shows that there is no connection between them.

Proof 2

Only one person has reported the narration, which states that this Ayah was revealed for Abu Talib, and that is Sa’eed bin Musayyab. This man is such that he cannot be relied upon. One account of his life in which Sa’eed himself has declared his affiliation to the worst people is:

[Imam Zaynul-‘Aabideen (as) had passed away. Sa’eed bin Musayyab happened to be alive and he also passed by the place where the funeral of Imam (as) was being attended. Sa’eed did not participate in Imam (as)’s funeral prayer. 

When people asked him in sarcasm, “Do you pray behind Hajjaj (the most evil and cruel ruler)?” Sa’eed boastfully replied, “We even pray behind worst people then Hajjaj”.] (Tafseer-e-Namoona)


Proof 3
From a traditionalist point of view, this report of Al Bukhari is not worth taking as reliable because the last narrator is Musaiyyab who embraced Islam after the fall of Mecca and was not himself present at the time of Abu Talib's death. It is on this account that Al Aini, in his commentary has remarked that this tradition is mursal.

(Ref :Sirat-An-Nabi, by Shibli Numani, Volume 1 - "Death of Khadija and Abu Talib" Page 223-224)

Therefore, how can we rely on the authenticity of such a person?


Proof 4
In contrast to the above we find the following in Ahlul Sunnas authentic historical works.

It is reported in the book of the famous Sunni traditionist al-Bayhaqi ("Dalail al-Nubuwwah") that when Abu Talib was at the point of death, he was seen moving his lips, as if reciting the kalimah. Al-Abbas (the Prophet's uncle) bent down to listen to what he was saying. He then lifted his head and said:

"By Allah, he has uttered the word which you requested, O Messenger of Allah!"

Sunni references:
- Dalail al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi, vol 2 p 101
- Ibn Hisham, Cairo Edition, p146 (as quoted in Siratun Nabi, by Shibli Numani, v1, pp 219-220)

Proof 5

Its really pathetic that those Sunnis who quote as the verse (9:113) citing that it was reveled for Hazrat Abu Talib (as) , though this is not the case as discussed above, over look the following verse:

O you who believe ! do not take the unbelievers as protectors instead of than believers; do you desire that you should give to Allah a manifest proof against yourselves ?Quran [4:144]

This verse clearly states that taking unbelievers as protectors is going against the will of Allah would give Allah (s.w.t.) an argument against oneself. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) would never act against the orders and commands of Allah (s.w.t.), thus Hazrat Abu Talib (as) being the caretaker of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) itself is the greatest proof of him being a believer.

The Noor Of Hazrat Abutalib (as)

Imam Jafar (asws) bin Mohammad (asws) who narrates from his father(asws) who narrates  from Imam Ali (asws) bin Hussain (asws) who narrates from his  father Imam Hussain (asws) who said:   
  
Ameerul Momineen (asws)  was sitting in Rahbaha and people were sitting around him when a man stood up and said,

“O Ameerul Momineen (asws), it is Allah that has placed you in this position however your father will be tortured in Hell.”

Ameerul Momineen (asws) replied,

“I swear by Allah who sent Muhammad (saw) as a Prophet that if My Father intercedes for all of the sinners on earth, Allah will accept it. 

How can My Father be in Hell, while I, his son, am the one who divides between Paradise and Hell? I swear by Allah, who sent Muhammad (saw) as a Prophet, my father’s noor on the Day of Judgement exceeds the noor of all creatures except the noor of five noors: the Noor of Muhammad (saw), my (Imam Ali(asws)’s ) Noor, the Noor of Fatima (sa), the Noor of Hasan (asws) and Hussain (asws), and the Noor of the Imams (asws) from the sons of Hussain (asws). 

Be aware that Abu Talib (as)’s Noor is from Our Noor. Allah created his Noor two thousand years before He created Adam.” 

(Ref :Al-Hojja ‘Ala Al-Thaheb ila Takfeer Abi Taleb P72. Al-Darajatol Rafee’ah P50. Amaali Al-Tousi V1 P331 H58. Bisharat Al- Mustafa p249. Al-Ihtejaaj of Tabrasi V1 P340. Bihar Al-Anwar V35 P69 H3. Al-Ghadeer V7 P387 H3.)