Abdul-Muttalib was a respected elder among the Quraysh and one of the most influential spiritual characters of Mecca. He was also the head of the Prophet's clan of Banu Hashim or the Hashemites. He was among the few monotheists in Mecca. He followed the religion of his forefathers, Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail and never worshiped idols. He would practice some customs that were later approved by Islam. For example, he would not drink alcohol nor eat the meat of an animal which was sacrificed for the idols. He had also prohibited the killing of newborn girls, adultery, marriage with close family members, and circumambulating the Kaaba naked. He had defined the number of circles around the Kaaba to be seven and specified the atonement for the blood of a man to equal 100 camels. Due to these customs that he followed, he was given the title of “The Second Ibrahim” by the Quraysh.
Historical records confirm that Abdul-Muttalib knew about the Prophethood of his grandson, Muhammad. For example, when the Prophet was about two years old, Abdul-Muttalib along with a group of the Quraysh elders, visited the king of Yemen, to congratulate him on his victory to reach power. During this visit, which took place in Sana’a in Yemen, the king privately informed Abdul-Muttalib about the signs of God’s chosen messenger according to their holy scripture. He also mentioned that the messenger has either been born or was soon to be born. Abdul-Muttalib then confirmed, that the prophesied messenger is indeed his grandson, Muhammad. On another occasion, Mecca was hit by a drought and the people referred to Abdul-Muttalib due to his piety and spirituality and asked him to pray for rain. Abdul-Muttalib accepted their request. He put the Prophet, who was about 7 years old, on his shoulder, and prayed to God for rain. His prayer was granted and rain poured from the sky.
Abdul-Muttalib loved and cared for the Prophet, his grandson, more than anyone in his family, as he was an orphan and Abdul-Muttalib knew of his prophethood in the future. When Abdul-Muttalib sat by the Kaaba, none of his children would sit by him as a sign of respect to their father. However, the Prophet would come and sit by his grandfather. Abdul-Muttalib’s sons would try to stop the Prophet, however Abdul-Muttalib would say: “leave my son alone. I swear by God that he will have a great status. I see a day when he will be your master. I see his honor and glory over all the other people.” Abdul-Muttalib then would seat the Prophet alongside himself, kiss him, and would talk highly of him. He would also place the Prophet on his own shoulders, while circumambulating the Kaaba.
When Abdul-Muttalib was on his deathbed, he was worried about the future and the safety of his beloved grandson after himself as Muhammad was just 8 years old. Abdul-Muttalib thus chose his son Abu-Talib, from amongst his other children, for the guardianship of Muhammad. He emphasized to Abu-Talib that Muhammad has not smelt the scen
Historical records confirm that Abdul-Muttalib knew about the Prophethood of his grandson, Muhammad. For example, when the Prophet was about two years old, Abdul-Muttalib along with a group of the Quraysh elders, visited the king of Yemen, to congratulate him on his victory to reach power. During this visit, which took place in Sana’a in Yemen, the king privately informed Abdul-Muttalib about the signs of God’s chosen messenger according to their holy scripture. He also mentioned that the messenger has either been born or was soon to be born. Abdul-Muttalib then confirmed, that the prophesied messenger is indeed his grandson, Muhammad. On another occasion, Mecca was hit by a drought and the people referred to Abdul-Muttalib due to his piety and spirituality and asked him to pray for rain. Abdul-Muttalib accepted their request. He put the Prophet, who was about 7 years old, on his shoulder, and prayed to God for rain. His prayer was granted and rain poured from the sky.
Abdul-Muttalib loved and cared for the Prophet, his grandson, more than anyone in his family, as he was an orphan and Abdul-Muttalib knew of his prophethood in the future. When Abdul-Muttalib sat by the Kaaba, none of his children would sit by him as a sign of respect to their father. However, the Prophet would come and sit by his grandfather. Abdul-Muttalib’s sons would try to stop the Prophet, however Abdul-Muttalib would say: “leave my son alone. I swear by God that he will have a great status. I see a day when he will be your master. I see his honor and glory over all the other people.” Abdul-Muttalib then would seat the Prophet alongside himself, kiss him, and would talk highly of him. He would also place the Prophet on his own shoulders, while circumambulating the Kaaba.
When Abdul-Muttalib was on his deathbed, he was worried about the future and the safety of his beloved grandson after himself as Muhammad was just 8 years old. Abdul-Muttalib thus chose his son Abu-Talib, from amongst his other children, for the guardianship of Muhammad. He emphasized to Abu-Talib that Muhammad has not smelt the scen
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