Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib
| Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib | |
|---|---|
| Born |
c. 568 Mecca, Arabia |
| Died | c. 653 (aged 85) |
| Known for | Paternal uncle of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad |
| Spouse(s) | Lubaba bint al-Harith |
Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (Arabic: العباس بن عبد المطلب) (c.568 – c.653 CE) was a paternal uncle and Sahabi (companion) of Muhammad, just three years older than his nephew. A wealthy merchant, during the early years of Islam he protected Muhammad while he was in Mecca, but only became a convert after the Battle of Badr in 624 CE (2 AH). His descendants founded the Abbasid Caliphate in 750.
Abbas, born in 568, was one of the youngest sons of Abdul-Muttalib. His mother was Nutayla bint Janab of the Namir tribe. After his father's death, he took over the Zamzam Well and the distributing of water to the pilgrims. He became a spice-merchant in Mecca, a trade that made him wealthy.
During the early years, while the Muslim religion was gaining adherents (610-622), Abbas provided protection to his kinsman but did not adopt the faith. He acted as a spokesman at the Second Pledge of Aqaba, but he was not among those who emigrated to Medina.
Having fought on the side of the polytheists, Abbas was captured during the Battle of Badr. He was a large man while his captor, Abu'l-Yasar, was small. The Prophet asked Abu'l-Yasar how he had managed the capture, and he said he was assisted by a person whom he described and Muhammad identified as a noble angel. Muhammad allowed al-Abbas to ransom himself and his nephew.
Ibn Hisham says that Abbas had become a secret Muslim before the Battle of Badr; but the clear statement is missing from Tabari's citation of the same source. It is sometimes said that he converted to Islam shortly after Badr.
It is elsewhere implied that Abbas did not formally profess Islam until January 630, just before the fall of Mecca, twenty years after his wife Lubaba. Muhammad then named him "last of the refugees" (Muhajirun), which entitled him to the proceeds of the spoils of the war. He was given the right to provide Zamzam water to pilgrims, which right was passed down to his descendants.
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