I

IN THE STORY OF REACTION, as related about many prophets, rejection by opponents goes hand in hand with support from a chosen minority entourage. In the story of Muḥammad, support-like resistance-begins within his own clan. Whereas the source of resistance is his paternal uncle Abū Lahab, protection comes from another paternal uncle of his, Abu Talib, who appears in the stories as Abū Lahab's direct opposite. Being ‘Ali's father, Abū Ṭālib's image was no doubt inspired by the political aims of the Shi'is, for whom the father of their great hero must have been as virtuous as his son. This is the reason why the traditions about Abū Ṭālib's heroic defence of the Prophet remained outside the Sunni muṣannaf compilations. In the traditions that did gain access into them, the image of Abu Talib changed considerably. This change will be elucidated in the following examination, beginning with the biographical sources.

Just as Abū Lahab's resistance to Muḥammad was first revealed through his reaction to Muḥammad's ‘ashira address, Abū Ṭālib's support for the Prophet is displayed during that very scene. A version preserving his supporting reaction to Muḥammad's address was recorded by al-Balādhuri, as related on the authority of the Companion Ja'far ibn ‘Abdallāh ibn Abi l-Ḥakam. When Muḥammad addresses the members of ‘Abd al-Muttalib's family, in accordance with the ‘ashira verse, Abū Ṭālib offers Muḥammad his full support, but apologizes for not being able to abandon the religion of ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib. Abū Lahab, on the other hand, demands that all activities of the Prophet be stopped. Abū Ṭālib retorts: “By God, we shall protect him as long as we live.”

Abū Ṭālib's support is related in further versions setting it in the stage of declaration, but not within the ‘ashira scene. Instead of delivering the intimate ‘ashira address, Muḥammad appears in these versions as already conducting a full-scale public campaign against the idols of Quraysh.

Such a setting of Abu Ṭalib's support for Muḥammad, within the context of the Prophet's religious confrontation with the Meccans, is contained in the report of Ibn Ishaq. He relates that when Muḥammad disclosed his religion to his fellow tribesmen and declared it openly (ṣada‘a), Quraysh did not resist him, but when he started to disparage their idols, the Meccans united in opposing him, except for a few people whom God guided to Islam and who kept their re-ligion secretly. Abū Ṭālib felt compassion for his nephew and protected him.