Seerah: EP15 – With His Loving Grandfather & Uncle

Episode 15: With His Loving Grandfather & Uncle

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This episode looks at the time the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) spent with his grandfather and uncle. It is interesting to note that Allah never deprived him of the presence of a loving, caring individual, despite him losing his father and mother. These individuals were always people of great character and ethics.

Abdul-Muttalib, his grand-father, was incredibly loving towards the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He was always looking for him and would check on him before going to sleep. There was a cushion for Abdul Muttalib to sit on under the shade of the Ka’ba, where he would meet and greet people, with his back against the Ka’ba. This seat was especially reserved for him and no-one dared to sit on it. His sons would sit immediately around him: even his own children would not dare sit on that seat out of respect for him. However, the Prophet, aged 6, would come and sit on that seat. His uncles would grab him and move him out the way: when Abdul-Muttalib would see them moving him, he would say to leave the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) alone.

When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) reached the age of 8, his grandfather passed away. Abdul-Muttalib called all his family and emphasised the importance of taking care of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He asked Abu Talib to talk care of him, whereas as Abbas was given the responsibility of the well of Zam Zam and arranging water for the visitors of the Ka’ba.

Abu Talib was the most closely related to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), as he had the same mother as Abdullah, the father of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). A simple man, Abu Talib took great care him: he would not eat food until the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had eaten, and would check upon him before going to sleep. He truly loved him more than his own children.