Al-'Abbaas Ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib

Equality and brotherhood of man in Allaah are two of the major
principles of the Islamic faith. We read in the Qur'an what may be
translated as:"O mankind! Indeed, We have created you from male and
female and made you Peoples and tribes that you may know one another.
Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allaah is the most
righteous of you. Indeed, Allaah is Knowing and Acquainted."]Quran,
49: 13[. Whenever we read the glorious history of Islam we are
reminded again and again of these principles, especially that of
equality. An interesting illustration of this involved Al-'Abbaas Ibn
'Abdul-Muttalibwho was not only a beloved uncle of Prophet Muhammadbut
also a playmate )since they were only a couple of years apart in age(.
In the Battle of Badr, the first major battle in Islamic history, some
leaders of the Makkah community were forced to join the army of the
pagan enemies of Islam mainly through moral pressure. These included
Al-'Abbaas and another prominent leader of Quraysh, who was known for
his sympathetic attitude and conduct towards the Companions of
Muhammad. Realizing this fact, Prophet Muhammadgave orders to his
followers not to kill such people, pointing out that they were not
real enemies who deserved death. Later, when Al-'Abbaas Ibn
'Abdul-Muttalibwas taken captive to Al-Madeenah, the Companions found
the Prophet sleepless. So they asked him: "Why are you restless, O
Messenger of Allaah?" He Answered, "I heard the moaning of Al-'Abbaas,
due to the tightness of the ropes with which he is being tied." A
little while later the Prophet asked, "Why is Al-'Abbaas quiet now?"
He was told that someone loosened the fetters for him. The Prophet
ordered that the same be done with the other prisoners.
The second incident occurred when ransom was collected from the
prisoners of war. When asked to pay ransom for himself and some
followers of his, Al-'Abbaas said, "But I am a Muslim and I was forced
to join the Makkah army." The Prophet's answer was, "Allaah knows
about your Islam. If it be true, then He will reward you and return to
you whatever you pay. According to what appears to us, you have to pay
the ransom." Al-'Abbaas Ibn 'Abdul Muttalibdespite his relationship
with the Prophetwas treated on equal footing like any other prisoner
of war, and was freed only upon payment of his ransom.
The supporting spirit of Al-'Abbaas to Islam and its Prophet explains
his attendance of the secret meeting at Al-'Aqabah where seventy-three
Medinites gave their oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammadto protect
him whenever he migrated to Al-Madeenah. It was Al-'Abbaas who checked
the sincerity of the Medinites for the Prophet.
After the Prophet'svictorious re-entry to Makkah, the pagan tribes in
the neighbourhood of Makkah joined forces to fight the Muslims. For
the first time the Muslim army exceeded twelve thousand in number. So
many of the fighters had a sense of self-assurance, an attitude that
leads to defeat. Some Muslims said, "Never will we be defeated due to
paucity." However, it was Allaah's will that His soldiers be properly
trained for the battles they were to enter at various places and times
on this earth. The Muslim army in the battle of Hunayn was surrounded
by the enemy )being ambushed and taken by surprise(. The Messenger of
Allaah turned to the right and said: "O people! I am the Messenger of
Allaah. I am Muhammad, the son of Abdullah." Those who stoodfast by
him were only a few emigrants and some of his kinsmen and Al 'Abbaas
was one of them. The matchless bravery of the Prophetwas then brought
to light. He went on and on in his attempts to make his mule steadfast
in the face of the disbelievers while saying loudly:
"Truly saying, I am the Prophet
I am the )grand( son of Abdul Muttalib."
However, Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Haarithwho was then holding the rein of the
Prophet's mule, and Al-'Abbaas, who was holding its stirrup; were
endeavoring to make it halt. The Messenger of Allaah dismounted and
asked his Lord to render him help.
"O, Allaah, send down Your Help!"
The Messenger of Allaahordered his uncle Al-'Abbaas — who was a
sonorous voiced man — to call out on the companions. As loudly as he
could, Al-'Abbaasshouted: "Where are the lancers?" Al-'Abbaas said,
"By Allaah, upon hearing my voice calling them back, they turned round
to the battlefield as if they had been oryxes )wild cows( tending
towards their calves."
It was the Prophet's strong and firm faith in Allaah and his courage
as well as the heroic nature and behavior of people like Al-'Abbaas
Ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib that saved the day in that battle, known as 'the
Battle of Hunayn.' At those critical moments, it was Al-'Abbaas who
stayed all the time with the Prophetalong with a handful of
companions. The battle took a new turn, the enemy was defeated, and
the Muslim army came out victorious.
Al-'Abbaasas pointed out earlier, was an uncle of Prophet Muhammadand
a dear one for that. Besides this, he is remembered for being the
father of the well-known authority 'Abdullah Ibn Al-'Abbaas on matters
of the Quran and the teachings of the faith. He passed away in
Al-Madeenah in 32 AH during the reign of 'Uthmaan Ibn Affaan.