Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 1 of 3

THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH w.m> (Vol-I) 73
mother similar report states that Rasulullaah @& continued presenting the
Kalimah to Abu Taalib as the two Mushrikeen (Abu Jahal and Abdullaah bin Abi
umaayyah) repeated their words to him. Eventually, Abu Taalib passed away
with the words, "I remain on the religion of Abdul Muttalib" without reciting, "Laa
Ilaaha Illallaah" Rasulullaah @@ then said, "Behold! I shall continue seeking
~llaah'd forgiveness for you (0 my uncle) until I am forbidden from doing so." It
was after this that Allaah revealed the two verses (mentioned above). ('I
Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah ~.Wj narrates that Rasulullaah came to see his
uncle Abu Taalib when he was about to pass away. Rasulullaah said to him,
"0 my beloved uncle! Say 'Laa Ilaaha Illallaah' so that I may be witness to it on
the Day of Qiyaamah." Abu Taalib said, "I would have certainly said it to please
you if I did not fear that Quraysh would ridicule me by saying, 'He said it only
because he feared death.' I would have then definitely said it only to please you."
1t was on this occasion that Allaah revealed the verse:
(07 :&A i>y)
Verily you (0 Rasufuffaah @%%) cannot guide (to Isfaam) those whom
you love (such as Abu Taalib), but Allaah guides whoever He wills. He is
best aware of those who are (deserving to be) rightly guided (and who
deserve to beguided to Imaan). {Surah Qasas, verse 56)(2)
Rasulullaah
refuses to Forsake
Calling people to Allaah
Hadhrat Aqeel bin Abi Taalib (the son of Abu Taalib) narrates(3) that on one
occasion when members of the Quraysh approached Abu Taalib (to discuss
Rasulullaah w), Abu Taalib said to Rasulullaah @@,"0 my nephew! By Allaah!
As you well know, 1 have always listened to what you have to say (I now wish
that you would listen to me). Your people have come to me to complain that in
their gatherings and at the Kabah you tell them things that hurt them. If you
think it appropriate, you should stop doing this."
Looking towards the heavens, Rasulullaah replied, "I do not have the ability
to stop doing what I have been sent to do just as any of you do not have the
ability to grab hold of a spark of fire from the sun." (4)
.4 narration of Bayhaqi reports that Abu Taalib called for Rasulullaah and
told him that the people had come to him and told him many things about what
RasululIaah @@ was doing. Addressing Rasulullaah @@, he said further, "Have
(1) Bukhari and Muslim, using a chain of narrators different from the narration just mentioned.
(2) Ibn Is'haaq, as quoted in Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.3 Pg.123). There is one unknown narrator
in the chain of narrators.
(3) Only a part of the complete narration appears here. The complete text will Insha Allaah be quoted
in the chapter that discusses the tolerancethat Rasulullaah @@ and the Sahabah aWj practiced
during times of difficulty.
(4) Tabraani and Bukhari in his Taareekh.