All Prophet Muhammad Uncles

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had eleven uncles, some of whom did not live to witness his prophethood, while others were alive during his mission. Among these, seven uncles passed away before the advent of Islam, while four lived during his time as a Prophet. Of these four, two embraced Islam, and two did not.

Those Who Embraced Islam Were:

1. Hamza – The "Leader of Martyrs" and "The Lion of Allah".
2. Al-Abbas – The full brother of the Prophet’s father.

Those who did not accept Islam:

1. Abu Talib – Though he did not convert, he supported the Prophet.
2. Abu Lahab – He opposed Islam and was condemned in the Qur'an.

The Prophet’s Uncles Who Did Not Witness His Prophethood

Seven of the Prophet’s uncles passed away before the advent of Islam. Since they lived before the revelation, they are considered among the people of Fatrah (a period before the message reached them). They were:

1. Az-Zubayr – A full brother of the Prophet’s father; his mother was Fatimah bint Amr ibn A’idh.
2. Abd al-Ka'bah – His mother was also Fatimah bint Amr ibn A’idh. He had no children and did not live to witness Islam.
3. Al-Muqawwim – A full brother of Hamza; his mother was Halah bint Wahb ibn Abd Manaf.
4. Dhirar – A full brother of Al-Abbas; his mother was Nutaylah bint Janab ibn Kalb.
5. Qutham – Also a full brother of Al-Abbas, but he died young. His mother was Safiyyah bint Jundub ibn Juheer.
6. Al-Mughīrah (Hajal) – A full brother of Hamza.
7. Al-Ghaydaq (Mus’ab or Naufal) – Known for his wealth and generosity among the Quraysh.

The Prophet’s Uncles Who Witnessed His Prophethood

Four of his uncles lived to see the rise of Islam. Two became Muslims, and two did not.

Those Who Accepted Islam

1. Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib

   • Known as the "Lion of Allah and His Messenger".

   • His mother was Halah bint Wahb ibn Abd Manaf.

   • Born two to four years before the Prophet.

   • Fiercely defended the Prophet against the Quraysh.

   • Martyred in the Battle of Uhud.

2. Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib

   • The Prophet’s youngest uncle.

   • Born two to three years before the Prophet.

   • Known as Abu al-Fadl.

   • His mother was Nutaylah bint Janab ibn Kalb.

   • He was a man of tall stature, beauty, and devotion.

   • Participated in preparing the Prophet’s body for burial.

   • Passed away in 32 AH in Madinah.

Those Who Did Not Accept Islam

1. Abu Talib (Abd Manaf)

   • Known for raising and protecting the Prophet after the death of his grandfather.

   • A full brother of the Prophet’s father.

   • His mother was Fatimah bint Amr ibn A’idh.

   • Though he supported the Prophet, he never converted to Islam and died a non-believer.

2. Abu Lahab (Abd al-Uzza)

   • • Named Abu Lahab due to the reddish glow of his cheeks.

     • A fierce opponent of Islam.

     • Mocked and opposed the Prophet, leading to the revelation of Surah Al-Masad (Surah 111):

   "May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and may he perish!"

   • His wife, Umm Jamil (Arwa bint Harb), also opposed Islam.

   • When she heard of the Qur’anic verses condemning them, she tried to attack the Prophet but was blinded by Allah’s will.

The Eldest Uncle of the Prophet (ﷺ)

Scholars have two opinions regarding who was the eldest uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This difference arises due to the consideration of lineage from the mother's side. Az-Zubayr is regarded as the eldest uncle of the Prophet (ﷺ) from both his father’s and mother’s side, whereas Al-Harith is considered the eldest uncle from the father’s side only. The details of both are as follows:

Az-Zubayr Ibn Abd Al-Muttalib Was the Eldest of the Prophet’s Uncles

• He lived during the Prophet’s childhood and was known as one of the poets of Quraysh, although he did not compose much poetry.
• He used to recite poetry for the young Prophet (ﷺ) and play with him.
• He had a daughter named Duba'ah, who married Al-Miqdad.
• He also had a son named Abdullah and was nicknamed Abu Tahir.
• Because of him, the Prophet (ﷺ) named one of his sons "Tahir".
• Az-Zubayr believed in the concept of resurrection (Al-Ba‘th), as inferred from his words:

"There must be a day when Allah will grant justice to the oppressed".

Al-Harith Ibn Abd Al-Muttalib Was the Eldest Uncle From the Father’s Side Only

• Abd al-Muttalib was given the kunya (nickname) "Abu Al-Harith" because Al-Harith was his eldest son.
• Among Al-Harith’s children:
  • Abu Sufyan ibn Al-Harith—who accepted Islam during the conquest of Mecca.
  • Nawfal ibn Al-Harith—who embraced Islam during the Battle of the Trench.
• The name "Al-Harith" comes from one of two meanings:
  • "To till the land"—which refers to preparing soil for cultivation".
  • To work for one’s worldly gains", as in the verse:

"Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter – We increase for him in his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world – We give him thereof, but he has no share in the Hereafter". (Qur'an, Surah Ash-Shura: 20)

• The Arabs commonly named children "Al-Harith" after the ancestor of a great Arab tribe.
• Some of his sons lived to witness Islam and embraced it.
• Al-Harith witnessed the rediscovery of the Well of Zamzam, and his father, Abd al-Muttalib, relied on him and kept him close.