The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 138
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 138 proceeded, Muḥammad sa followed with tears flowing from his eyes. This was the third great shock that Muḥammad sa was made to bear in his childhood. At that time he was eight years of age and the age of ‘ Abdul-Muṭṭalib, due to a difference in narrations, is recorded as 80 years to 140. 1 ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib had many sons from various wives. Among these sons, the most eminent were Ḥārith, Zubair, Abū Ṭālib, Abū Lahab, ‘ Abdullāh, ‘ Abbās and Ḥamzah. Among them, Abū Ṭālib and ‘Abdullāh were of the same mother. Perhaps due to this relationship, upon his deathbed ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib entrusted the young Muḥammad sa into the guardianship of Abū Ṭālib whilst bequeathing him the special care of the child. Thereafter, Muḥammad sa began to live in the custodianship of Abū Ṭālib. Among the national duties belonging to ‘Abdul- Muṭṭalib the responsibilities of Siqāyah and Rifādah were delegated to his eldest son Zubair. Since this work required significant finances, Zubair found these responsibilities far beyond his capacity and handed them over to Abū Ṭālib. Similarly, Abū Ṭālib was also unable to cope with the financial commitment involved and therefore the task of Rifādah was transferred to the Banū Nawfal. Eventually Abū Ṭālib handed over the work of Siqāyah to his brother ‘Abbās who was considerably wealthy. At this point, it is necessary to mention that during the lifetime of ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, the Banū Hāshim were extremely dignified and honoured and possessed an eminent position among all the tribes of the Quraish. But after his demise, no man from the Banū Hāshim came forward who could maintain this esteem. Overall power escaped their hands and gradually the Banū Hāshim’s rival tribe, the Banū Umaiyyah, gathered strength. Guardianship of Abū Ṭālib Abū Ṭālib acted upon the will of his father with tremendous honesty and justice and held Muḥammad sa dearer than his own children. He would always keep the child before his eyes and during the night he would usually keep him in his company. Travel to Syria and the Incident of Baḥīrā the Monk When Muḥammad sa was twelve years of age, Abū Ṭālib was required 1 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Part 1, Bābu Dhikri Ḍammi ‘Abdil-Muṭṭalib Rasūlallāhi sa ilaihi ba‘da Wafāti Ummihī wa Dhikri Wafāti ‘Abdil-Muṭṭalib wa Waṣiyyati Abī Ṭālib bi Rasūlillāhi sa , p. 56, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)