EXCLUSIVE: Accounts Varied on His Faith, Was Abu Talib a Polytheist?!

The Islam of Abu Talib

The previous article tackled the sacrifices of Abu Talib (as), and here we stress that Abu Talib died and his heart filled with faith. There’s no doubt that the man had embraced Islam with all what it means, since the first months of the Prophet’s mission, but he hid his Islam for considerations relating to the protection of Daawa (missionary).

Abu TalibThere are lots of texts reported from Ahlulbeit (household) -pbut- on the Islam and faith of Abu Talib. Scholars have written several books about his Islam and ratification of the Islamic message, amounting to more than thirty books.

The following are clear proofs on the faith of Abu Talib and his conversion to Islam:

First, texts cited from Ahlulbait (pbut), among which was a Hadith from Imam Baqir (as): “If the faith of Abu Talib was put in one hand, and the faith of mankind on the other, his would outweigh.”

Second, the Islam of Abu Talib in the era of Prophet Mohammad was for granted which the companions know well.

Third, Abu Talib had supported Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and stood by him in the face of the infidels and sacrificed for the Missionary with his stature, relations and even his children. He was ready to fight a fierce war in order to protect the Prophet and Islam. Had not he been a believer in the message of the Prophet, why would he bear all these sacrifices?! .. Why did not we hear him blaming or growling of what happened to him because of the Prophet’s Daawa.

We also realize how he pushed his children to pray along with the Prophet (pbuh) and order them, as well as his wife, to respond to the Prophet’s call to Islam and tell them: “Muhammad only invites you to the good for you.” And he motivates them to proceed in the path of Islam. He also ordered Bani Hashim to defend the Prophet and Daawa, and address them on his deathbed to follow the Messenger of Allah and not to abandon him no matter what challenges and sacrifices they face. “As long as you obey Mohammad and follow his command, you are okay. Follow and support him and you are on the right path,” he told them.

Would anyone imagine after all these positions of Abu Talib to be a polytheist?! .. Is it rightful to embrace the idea of polytheism against him and at the same time he defends and advocates for the enemies of his concept, principle and religion with full force?! .. Then at the same time call on people to abandon what they believe in?! ..

Fourth, Abu Talib’s remarks and statements indicate his faith and his conversion to Islam, and his commitment to all that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah. It’s sufficed to mention a sample of his frequent poems which clearly recognizes the prophethood of Mohammad and his message among which are these lines composed by him during the siege of Quraish to the Muslims in Abu Talib’s valley:
-Didn’t you know that we found Mohammad
A prophet like Moses in previously revered books
-We know that you are the truthful Messenger sent by Allah
To you the most honorable has descended the Holy Book

Fifth, the prophet’s calling for Allah to forgive Abu Talib and His deep sorrow when he passed away, that he even said when Abu Talib and Sayyeda Khadija died: “This nation had piled two scourges, I don’t know in which I’m more grieved.” It’s clear that it is not right to ask Allah’s forgiveness and pray for mercy to a non-believer or non-Muslim. This clearly proves Abu Talib’s faith and his conversion to Islam.

Abu Talib graveAll in all, anyone’s Islam should be known from four things. The first is from his stances which had reached the highest level of clarity and proof to his devotion and dedication in the defense of this religion. The second is the approval and statement of Shahadatayn (the two testimonials). It is known that Abu Talib ratified the prophethood of the Prophet (PBUH) in his poems which was composed on different occasions. Thirdly, it is the position of the Prophet Mohammad which was very clear. Fourth are the statements of those familiar with his affairs in his life such as his family, and those living with and around him. We said that Ahlulbeit unanimously agreed on the Islam of Abu Talib (as) and his faith.

So, there’s no doubt in the Islam of Abu Talib, but he continued to conceal this faith until they were trapped by Quraish in the valley and ordered the tribes to boycott them, then he was no longer afraid to show his faith and his conversion to Islam. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) has said: “I swear that Abu Talib was a Muslim believer who concealed his faith for fear that Qureish and Bani Hashim would break off.” We can say that the secrecy of Abu Talib’s faith in this difficult phase of the history of Islam was necessary and inevitable, because the Daawa was in need of a prominent social figure to support and protect its leader and at the same time shows neutrality so that he can speak from a position of strength and alleviate the pressure exerted on it.

This is why Abu Talib had represented this role, had he showed his conversion to Islam he wouldn’t have had any merits or a moving speech among Quraish infidels, nor would they had respected him. On the contrary, if he had showed his conversion to Islam in that period, infidels would have dared to detest and harm him, thus the Daawa would have lost his role in mitigating the high pressures and challenges that the Prophet (pbuh) had been facing for the sake of the Islamic Daawa. Thus, it is clear that the secrecy behind the Islam of Abu Talib was but a way to advocate and protect the Daawa.