Abd al-Ka'bah ibn Abd al-Muttalib "Uncle of the Prophet"

Abd al-Ka'bah ibn Abd al-Muttalib was one of the sons of Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, the chief of Quraysh and the leader of Mecca in the late pre-Islamic era, and the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Abd al-Ka'bah is considered one of the lesser-known uncles of the Prophet Muhammad, and he is not widely mentioned in the books of Sīrah (biography of the Prophet Muhammad) or Islamic historical narratives like some of his brothers, such as al-Abbas, Abu Talib, or Hamzah.

Lineage of Abd al-Ka'bah ibn Abd al-Muttalib

• Full name: Abd al-Ka'bah ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf
• Tribe: Quraysh, from the clan of Banu Hashim
• Father: Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, one of the most notable leaders of Mecca and custodian of the Ka‘bah
• Famous brothers: Abu Talib (father of Ali ibn Abi Talib), Hamzah, al-Abbas, al-Zubayr, and many other sons and daughters

Abd al-Ka'bah ibn Abd al-Muttalib Life

There is no precise or reliable information about the details of Abd al-Ka'bah’s life, whether during the pre-Islamic period or the early years of Islam. This suggests that he did not play a prominent role in major events, or that he may have died young before the rise of Islam. It is also unknown whether he had any descendants, and there are no reports of him participating in battles or taking political or social positions of note.

Abd al-Ka'bah ibn Abd al-Muttalib's Death

There is no exact date or specific narrative regarding his death, but it is most likely that he died before the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood or in its early stages. He is not mentioned as having taken a stance toward the Islamic message or any of the subsequent events.

Significance of His Mention

Despite the lack of information about him, the mention of Abd al-Ka'bah is significant within the broader context of the Hashemite lineage, and it affirms the depth and breadth of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ ancestry within the Quraysh tribe.

His name, “Abd al-Ka'bah” (Servant of the Ka'bah), also reflects a common naming tradition in the pre-Islamic era, in which people named their children with titles that showed reverence to the Ka'bah, idols, or other sacred symbols before the advent of Islam.