‘Ali Prays with the Messenger in Makkah

Some learned people related that whenever prayer time came, the Messenger would go out to Makkah’s mountain ravines, accompanied by ‘Ali, who concealed this from his father Abu Talib, his uncles, and the rest of his people. They prayed there and returned at evening. They continued this for as long as Allah willed. One day Abu Talib found them praying and asked the Messenger, “Son of my brother, what is this religion I see you following?” He replied, “Uncle, it is the religion of Allah, His angels, His messengers, and our father Abraham. Allah sent me as a Messenger to His servants. You, uncle, are the person most deserving of my sincere counsel and invitation to guidance, and the person most deserving of responding and helping me.” Abu Talib said that he could not leave the religion of his forefathers, but swore that no harm would reach the Messenger while he lived. They also report that Abu Talib asked ‘Ali about his religion. ‘Ali said he believed in Allah and His Messenger, affirmed his message, and prayed with him. Abu Talib told him, “He calls you only to what is good, so remain with him.”

The report is attributed to some learned transmitters. The notes identify Mujahid and explain variant wording in the preceding report, the severity of the famine, and the family relationships among Abu Talib’s sons. They note that all of Abu Talib’s sons accepted Islam except Talib.