The Sons of Sayyidina Abu Thalib ibn ‘Abd al-Muththalib (r.a.)

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Shaykh ‘Utsman Nuri Tufbas wrote, in “The Prophet Muhammad Muswthafa the Elect (s.a.w.)”, that Sayyidina Abu Thalib ibn ‘Abd al-Muththalib (r.a.) was in financial duress, being the head of a large household.  It was owing to this that the Prophet (s.a.w.) went to his other uncle, Sayyidina ‘Abbas (r.a.), and suggested, “As you know uncle, your brother, Abu Thalib manages a large family, and the drought and famine have left him in need like most.  Why do we not go to him, and talk him into giving two of his little ones over to our custody, to relieve him of some of his responsibility?” 

Sayyidina ‘Abbas (r.a.) accepted the benevolent suggestion, and together, they went to Sayyidina Abu Thalib (r.a.), who after hearing the offer, said, “Apart from ‘Aqil, you can take any of the children you like”, he said. 

Muhammad (s.a.w.) eventually took Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abu Thalib (k.w.), while Sayyidina ‘Abbas (r.a.) took his brother, Sayyidina Ja’far (r.a.).  Sayyidina ‘Ali (k.w.) was raised by his generous caretaker until the beginning of prophethood.  This is from the sirah of Shaykh Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Hisham (r.a.).