Abu Taleb bin Abdulmutaleb (Allah Blessed Him)
After the death of his mother, the Prophet (the Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon Him) became under the custody of his uncle Abu Taleb bin Abdulmutaleb (Allah blessed him) who took care of him until he grew up, flourished, and got married. Abu Taleb continued to take care of the Prophet after the revealing of his prophecy. He protected and prevented him from the disbelievers while he had been alive. Abu Taleb was the leader of Quraish after the death of Abdulmutaleb. Thus, they obeyed his orders and accepted his protection of the Prophet, as they thought that Abu Taleb was following their religion and beliefs. Otherwise, they would not accept his protection of the Prophet. Abu Taleb had covered his believe in Islam due to his love of the Prophet (the Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon Him) and his sacrifice to protect him.
The story on Abu-Talibs deathbed was the reference of those who said that he did not believe in Islam. On his deathbed, Abu Taleb refused to say: “La Elaha el-la Allah” (There is no God but Allah). His last words indicated that he was on the religion of Abdulmutaleb, as we have previously mentioned that Abdulmutaleb as well as all the grandfathers of the Prophet (the Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon Him) were Muslims and believers. Abu Taleb also said to the Prophet: “Unless Quraish would gibe me, by saying that I did not say it but because I am scared, I would say it to make you delighted”. He meant that he did not want Quraish to hear him saying that on his deathbed and say that he was scared. This does not mean that he did not say it and believe before his death. In fact Quraish had known the existence of Allah although they had their own gods. However, they did not believe due to their grudge against the Prophet, as they did not want him to be distinct. Many of them wanted the honor of Prophecy to be for him. Abu Taleb, however, was not among those. He loved the Prophet since his childhood. He prayed for rain, entreating the Prophet, when he was a young man. He spent his life protecting the Prophet and believing in him. The issue, that he had covered his belief to protect his nephew. The Prophet (the Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon Him), by what he had been informed, by Allah, of the unseen and hidden issues, knew that his uncle was a believer. But the Prophet wanted to follow the unhidden issues in this matter. His uncle told him that he wanted him to be delighted. Announcing his belief, however, will not be suitable as Quraish will say that Abu Taleb was scared so he said that. The Prophet (the Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon Him) said: “I swear Allah that I will ask Allah to forgive you” because he did not obey the Prophet at that moment. The forgiveness, therefore, is for his different opinions and not because Abu Taleb was unbeliever. Ibn Ishaq narrated that Al-Abbas saw Abu Taleb on his deathbed moving his lips. He listened to him and told the Prophet: “O' my nephew, my brother said what you ordered him to say”. The Prophet (the Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon Him) said: “I did not hear him”. It is clear that the Prophet wanted to follow the unhidden issues in front all people. Abu Taleb as well as his father Abdulmutaleb were Muslims and believers.
