Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib "Uncle of the Prophet"
His Standing and Honor
He is Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim, the uncle of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), known as Abu al-Fadl. He was born in Mecca two or three years before the birth of the Messenger (peace be upon him). His mother was Nutaylah bint Janab ibn Kulayb, the first to dress the Kaaba with silk and brocade.
This was because Al-Abbas got lost when he was young, and she vowed that if she found him, she would clothe the house. When she found him, she fulfilled her vow. He had eleven brothers and six sisters. Al-Abbas had ten male offspring besides the females.
His Status in the Pre-Islamic Era
The responsibility for providing water to the Banu Hashim was with Abu Talib, but when poverty intensified Abu Talib entrusted this duty to his brother, Al-Abbas. He was one of the wealthiest among the Quraysh. He took charge of managing the mosque. In the pre-Islamic era, his close companion was Abu Sufyan ibn Harb.
His Stance Before Declaring Islam
He witnessed the second Pledge of Aqabah with the Messenger of Allah. He was forced, like others from the Banu Hashim, to go to Badr, where he was captured and bound. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stayed awake that night, not sleeping. When asked, he said, 'I stay awake due to the groaning of Abbas'. A man then untied his bonds, and the Prophet commanded the same for all the captives.
Abbas himself, his two nephews, Aqeel ibn Abu Talib and Nawfal ibn al-Harith, and his ally, Attab ibn Amr, redeemed themselves on the day of Badr. He ransomed himself with a hundred ounces of gold because he was a wealthy man.
The Story of His Conversion to Islam
Al-Abbas did not declare his Islam until the year of the opening of Mecca, which led some historians to consider him among those who delayed their Islam. However, other historical accounts suggest that he was among the early Muslims but kept his Islam concealed. Abu Rafi, the servant of the Messenger, said, 'I was a servant to Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib. Islam had entered the people of the house, and Abbas, Um Al-Fadl, and I embraced Islam, but Abbas concealed his Islam'.
Thus, Al-Abbas became a Muslim before the Battle of Badr. His position in Mecca after the migration of the Messenger and his companions was planned in a way that served the best interests, and the Quraysh always suspected his intentions, yet they found no evidence against him. It was reported that the Messenger ordered Al-Abbas to stay in Mecca.
The Pledge of Aqabah
During the second Pledge of Aqabah, when the delegation of Ansar came to Mecca in the Hajj season, comprising seventy-three men and two women to pledge allegiance to Allah and His Messenger and agree to migrate to Medina, the Messenger conveyed this news to his uncle, Al-Abbas. He trusted his uncle's opinion entirely. When they gathered, Al-Abbas was the first to speak, saying
, 'O people of Khazraj, indeed, Muhammad among us, as you know, and he was prevented from his people, just as we share the same opinion about him. He is honored among his people but restricted in his own city. He only seeks to be with you and join you. If you believe you can fulfill what you call him to and prevent anyone who opposes him, then you have fulfilled your obligation. But if you think you will surrender and abandon him after he comes to you, then leave him now, for he is honored among his people and in his city'.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) remembered that night in Medina and said, 'That night was supported by my uncle Abbas. He was engaging with the people, giving and taking.
Key Traits Of His Personality
Al-Abbas was excessively generous, especially towards relatives and family. He was astute to the point of being cunning. With his sharp wit, he maintained a high status among the Quraysh and shielded the Prophet (peace be upon him) when his call attracted much harm and adversity.
Some Incidents with the Prophet
The Quraysh didn’t conceal their doubts about Al-Abbas, so during the Battle of Badr, they seized the opportunity to test his loyalty. Al-Abbas entered the battle reluctantly, and at Badr, he met the leaders and called out to the Prophet's companions, saying: 'Men from Banu Hashim and others were forced to join us against their will. They have no reason to fight us. Whoever encounters any of them, Abu Al-Bukhtari ibn Hisham or Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib, should not kill them, for they were forced to come. Al-Abbas was captured among those captured on the day of Badr. He was taken captive by Abu Al-Yasar Ka'b ibn Amr. The Prophet asked him to ransom himself and his family, but Al-Abbas refused, stating he was a Muslim before that and was compelled. The Prophet said, 'Allah knows your reality; if you say the truth, He will reward you. As for the apparent matter, it was upon us. Ransom yourself'. Um Al-Fadl sent the ransom from Mecca, and the Prophet released him.
During the Battle of Hunayn, Al-Abbas's voice and steadfastness highlighted his loyalty. While Muslims gathered in a valley, the polytheists ambushed them. Around the Prophet were Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali, Al-Abbas, and some companions. Not only was Al-Abbas with the Prophet, but he was also in front, holding the reins of his mule, defying danger. The Prophet instructed him to call out to the people, and he did so loudly, rallying them back after the enemy's surprise attack. They regrouped, fought, and were granted victory by Allah.
Interactions with Companions
During the drought (the year of Ar-Ramadah), Umar ibn Al-Khattab asked Al-Abbas to supplicate for rain. He did not leave until the clouds poured rain three days later.
Once, Uthman ibn Affan visited him. Al-Abbas, the maternal uncle of Uthman's wife Arwa bint Kurayz, advised him: 'I advise you to maintain a pure heart, refrain from arguing unjustly, and guard your tongue. If you do this, you will please your Lord and rectify your community.
