The Messenger of God - peace and salutations be upon him and his family, said: "May God have mercy on my uncle Abū Ṭālib, if he fathered all of humanity they would [all] be valiant."

[Ja`far ibn Abī Ṭālib; pg. 51]

Where do I start?

Do I start with defending him against accusations of being a Kāfir (disbeliever)?

Do I prove he is a believer?

Or do I speak of his personality/biography?

His name was `Imrān, according to some historians. One of 13 uncles of the Prophet and is one of only 4-6 who were present at the designation of the Prophet. Hamza, Abbas, and Abu Lahab being the others. He was the "tribal chief" of Bani Hashim, and - Makkah did not have a governor, rather a council formed by reps from each tribe - he was the big shot in that council. He was nicknamed "Sayed al-Baṭ'ḥā" (Chief of Makkah). He was also a poet, and his poems are recorded in anthologies - we will look at three, God willing.

As the uncle and guardian of the Prophet, he did the Aqīqah (the ceremony held for a baby after birth) of the Prophet and named him Aḥmad. Why did he name him so? According to al-Kāfī (vol. 6, pg. 34), "due to [him being] praise in the heavens and the world." How did he know? Wasn't he Kāfir?

But can God really put the Seal of Prophets and the best of creation in the care of an infidel?

When they wanted to kill the Holy Prophet, Abū Ṭālib said to him:

By God they will not get to you, gathered as they are.. until I am laid in the ground, buried

So proceed with your matter, you're not blameworthy [for it].. and rejoice, and calm the eyes by it

You invited me, and proclaimed yourself an Advisor.. and you are truthful, for you were and are trustworthy

And you have presented a religion which no doubt is.. from the best of religions for people

If not for blame or my prevention of being slandered.. you would find me openly showing it, clearly!

[Rūḥ al-Ma`ānī - `Allāmah al-Ālūsī; vol. 4, pg. 120]

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