Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib "Uncle of the Prophet"
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Lineage and Family of Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
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Birth and Death of Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
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His Standing with Abd al-Muttalib
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The Connection between Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib and the Prophet
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No Descendants of Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
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How the Classical Books Mention Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
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Distinguishing him from Qutham ibn al-Abbas
Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim was one of the sons of Quraysh’s patriarch Abd al-Muttalib and, therefore, an uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He died in childhood, so the reports about him are scant and are sometimes confused with those of his nephew Qutham ibn al-Abbas. This article gathers what the early genealogical and historical works relate, while pointing out where the sources disagree or are silent.
Lineage and Family of Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
- Father: Abd al-Muttalib (Shaybat al-Hamd), chief of the Quraysh.
- Mother: Safiyya bt. Junaydib (or “Jundub”) ibn Hujayr ibn Riab of Banu Amir ibn Saasaa.
- Full brothers: al-Harith and al-Ghidaq (Nawfal). Al-Muqawwim is sometimes listed with them. Abd Allah (the Prophet’s father) and Safiyya bt. Abd al-Muttalib was by other mothers.
Birth and Death of Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
Early Muslim chronographers state: “He died nine years old, fifty-six years before the Hijra, three years before the Prophet’s birth”. Counting the Hijra as 622 CE, that places his death c. 566 CE and his birth c. 575 CE.
His Standing with Abd al-Muttalib
Al-Baladhuri reports in Ansab al-Ashraf that Abd al-Muttalib loved Qutham dearly and mourned him intensely when he died.
The Connection between Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib and the Prophet
The same report says that when Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born, Abd al-Muttalib first thought of naming him Qutham in memory of his dead son, until Amina related her dream commanding the name “Muhammad” so he changed his mind. Some modern Orientalist writers seized on this to claim “Qutham” was the Prophet’s original name, but that contradicts the unanimous Muslim biographical tradition.
No Descendants of Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
All the genealogists agree that Qutham died before reaching adulthood and left no progeny.
How the Classical Books Mention Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib
| Source | What it Says about Qutham |
|---|---|
| Al-Baladhuri, Ansab al-Ashraf | Gives his lineage, his mother’s name, his death before the mission, and the incident of naming the Prophet. |
| Ibn Sad, Tabaqat al-Kubra | Lists him among Abd al-Muttalib's sons and notes he had no offspring. |
| Al-Halabi, Al-Sira al-Halabiyya and other later works | Repeat the nine-year lifespan and the death three years before the Prophet's birth. |
| Jafar Murtada, Al-Sahih min Sirat al-Nabiyy al-Azam | Casts doubt on whether the person ever existed, suggesting possible confusion with others. |
Distinguishing him from Qutham ibn al-Abbas
One must not confuse the Prophet’s uncle Qutham ibn Abd al-Muttalib (who died before Islam) with his cousin Qutham ibn al-Abbas, who lived in the Prophet’s time, served under Ali, and was killed as governor of Samarqand in 50 AH / 670 CE. The classical sources clearly separate the two, although many modern websites blur the distinction.
