Part 1 · Page 264
Quraysh Turns Hostile; Abu Talib Protects the Messenger
English rendering of the source section
Local English translation from the Arabic text; transmitted accounts, poetry, and editorial notes are distinguished.
This local English rendering may condense the Arabic narration and editorial notes. It is not a complete published English edition. Consult the Arabic source for exact wording and context.
Read the corresponding Arabic sectionWhen the Messenger openly proclaimed Islam and criticized Quraysh’s gods, his people opposed him and united against him, except for those whom Allah protected through Islam, a small group who remained discreet. His uncle Abu Talib supported and protected him. The Messenger continued carrying out Allah’s command without being turned aside. When Quraysh saw that he would not accommodate their objections and that Abu Talib would not hand him over, leading men went to Abu Talib. Ibn Ishaq lists ‘Utbah and Shaybah ibn Rabi‘ah, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, Abu al-Bakhtari, al-Aswad ibn al-Muttalib, Abu Jahl, al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah, Nabih and Munabbih ibn al-Hajjaj, and al-‘As ibn Wa’il.
Ibn Hisham identifies Abu Sufyan’s name as Sakhr and records variant reports about Abu al-Bakhtari’s name and lineage. The commentary explains the idiom describing Abu Talib’s protective concern and a verb meaning that the Messenger did not appease his opponents.