OverviewUncle who raised and protected Muhammad ﷺ; father of Ali and Ja‘far.CategoryHistorical figurePeriodBirth date unknown · d. c. 619 CE
The uncle who raised himAbu Talib was a brother of Abdullah, the father of Muhammad ﷺ. After Abd al-Muttalib died, Abu Talib and his wife Fatima bint Asad cared for the young Muhammad ﷺ in their household.Sources:Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam ↗
Protection in MakkahWhen Muhammad ﷺ began teaching Islam, Abu Talib refused demands to hand him over to opponents. He helped the family endure a boycott. His death, near the death of Khadija, left Muhammad ﷺ without two important supporters.Sources:Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam ↗
Different accounts of his faithMost Sunni accounts say Abu Talib did not accept Islam. Shia accounts regard him as a believer. His protection of Muhammad ﷺ is recognised in both traditions; his religious status should not be presented as undisputed.Sources:Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam ↗
SourcesWe wrote this short biography using the sources below. We explain uncertain dates and differing accounts.Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam ↗Uncle who raised and protected Muhammad ﷺ; father of Ali and Ja‘far.
