Jan 12
Death of Hazrat Abbas ibn-e-Abdul Muttalib (RA)
Sunday 12 Rajab, 1446
Jan 12
Sunday 12 Rajab, 1446
Hazrat Abbas Ibn Abdul Muttalib رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Although he embraced Islam a bit later, reportedly in 2 AH, after the Battle of Badr, he always helped the Prophet, right from the early days of Islam. He was the son of Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet. He was born in 565 CE in Mecca.
Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a rich merchant of Mecca, engaged in the trading of spices, for which he used to travel to Syria. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was almost the same age as Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, hence they were raised together in the household of Abdul Muttalib. He started training his nephew, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, in the trading business.
Abdul Muttalib was the custodian of the sacred Zamzam Well and was responsible for managing the distribution of water to pilgrims. After his death, Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was entrusted with this job. He fulfilled this duty with great devotion, utilizing his management skills and resources. Soon, he became renowned for his generosity and care for the pilgrims visiting Mecca. Apart from distributing Zamzam water to the pilgrims, he also provided them with food. He was famous not only for his generosity but also for his decency and wisdom.
The death of Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is remembered as the passing of a noble person, beloved uncle, and one of the close companions of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. His role in supporting the Prophet, even before accepting Islam, is exemplary. It is often believed that he accepted Islam sometime before the conquest of Mecca, whereas some historians also report that he did it well before that but kept it secret.
He later migrated to Medina. It is also believed that he was the last of the Muslims to migrate from Mecca to Medina. His death marked the end of an era, being one of the last surviving uncles of the Prophet. He gained respect not only for being the uncle of the Prophet but also for his role in supporting him, especially during the earlier phase of his Prophethood, in Mecca.
Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, born in Mecca in 565 CE. His father was Abdul Muttalib, whereas the name of his mother was Nutayla Bint Janab. He is known for his dignity, generosity, and eloquence. Like his father, he was also highly respected among the Quraysh tribe, even in the pre-Islamic period of his life. Although he was famous as a successful spice merchant, he also assumed the role of serving the pilgrims after the death of his father. In this role, he earned a very respectful status among his tribe.
Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ did not accept Islam during the earlier phase of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. However, he was among the main supporters of the Prophet, right from the earlier days of Islam, like his brother Abu Talib. He played a key role in ensuring the safety of the Prophet during the most unfavorable and pressing circumstances. Later, he formally converted to Islam, likely between the Battle of Badr and the Conquest of Mecca. Some reports describe that he secretly accepted Islam during the earlier days. In evidence of that perception, it is quoted by some historians that the Prophet instructed his companions not to kill him during the Battle of Badr, when he was taken prisoner. Subsequently, he was set free.
His role as the protector and supporter of the Prophet continued even more strongly, once he publicly confessed acceptance of Islam. He actively participated in some of the key battles, including the conquest of Mecca and the battle of Hunayn. During this battle, some of the Muslim men retreated for various reasons. At this stage, Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ played a vital role in not only protecting the Prophet but also calling back the retreating Muslims, back to the Prophet. Eventually, Muslims won this battle.
Overall, the life of Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is marked by his strong support to the Prophet, as a respected leader of the Quraysh tribe, and as a guardian of the pilgrims, providing them with food and water.
Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is believed to be the last Muslim, migrating from Mecca to Medina. Although he was equally respected and honored in both Mecca and Medina, he preferred to live permanently in Medina, even after the passing of the Prophet. After the passing of the Prophet, he spent the final phase of his life, spanning around 21 years, in Medina, providing all the necessary support to the Rashidun Caliphs. He was recognized and respected as a noble and wise elder among the Muslim community.
The Rashidun Caliphs like Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, and Hazrat Uthman رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ often consulted him to seek his advice on various religious and political matters, as a senior and one of the close companions of the Prophet. He was equally respected by the Prophet's family, Ahl al-Bayt, and maintained strong relations with them.
He gracefully maintained his reputation of generosity till his last breath, spending a major portion of his wealth in charity and service to the poor segment of Muslim society in Medina. At the last leg of his life, he spent most of the time in spiritual devotion, by way of worship and remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. He was also the narrator of many Sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ
Finally, he passed away at the age of around 86 years, in 653 CE (32 AH) in Medina during the Caliphate of Rashidun Caliph Hazrat Uthman رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. The Caliph himself led his funeral prayer (Namaz-e-Janaza).
Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ left a rich legacy, which had a long-lasting impact on Islamic history.
He passed away in Medina in 32 AH, corresponding to 653 CE.
He was buried in Medina in the famous Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery.
Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was one of the sons of Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, hence he was one of his paternal Uncles.
Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ played a significant role in supporting the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ during the early Islamic history. He embraced Islam at a later time, but he was a key figure in providing support and protection to the Prophet from the persecution of the Quraysh, using his tribal influence. After formally accepting Islam, he continued to play his part in supporting the Prophet for his mission, especially during the battles, such as the Battle of Hunayn. He was entrusted with the job of providing food and water to the pilgrims after the death of his father. He fulfilled this responsibility with devotion, which he continued even after accepting Islam. His loyalty, wisdom, and status among the Quraysh strengthened the Muslim community in Medina.