Beliefs of Abdul Mutalib?

[Muhammad Salman]

As-Salamu 'Alaykum

I have a quick question: do we have enough evidence to prove that the Abdul Mutalib (the grandfather of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)) and was monotheistic; meaning he didn't worship idols?

I'm sure everyone is aware of the story when Quraysh tried to bribe the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and according to one of narrations 'Utba said to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "if you think your grandfather was better than you, you know he worshipped same idols that we worship" and Prophet (peace be upon him) remained silent. I guess, from his silence we can conclude that the grandfather of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did worship idols. We all know that Quraysh didn't deny the existence of Allah.

wallahu a'alim (and Allah knows best)

[Haitham Hamdan]

Waalykum Assalam.
I don't know of any proof that Abdul Muttalib did not worship idols.
Wallahu A'lam.

[Um Abdullah M.]

Isn't the hadith which tells the story of Abu Talib's death, proof that Abdul Muttalib was mushrik?
since the hadith says that Abu Talib said right before he died
على ملة عبد المطلب
then he died, and he was declared as mushrik in the ayah that came down after, so since he died on the religion of Abdul Muttalib then it would mean that Abdul Muttalib was mushrik, right?

[Bassam Zawadi]

if my memory serves me right, there is evidence that Abdul Muttalib worshipped Hubal

[Umm Muawiyah]

Assaalamu Alaikum.

Originally Posted by Um Abdullah

Isn't the hadith which tells the story of Abu Talib's death, proof that Abdul Muttalib was mushrik?
since the hadith says that Abu Talib said right before he died
على ملة عبد المطلب
then he died, and he was declared as mushrik in the ayah that came down after, so since he died on the religion of Abdul Muttalib then it would mean that Abdul Muttalib was mushrik, right?

Yes and its not just the ayah. If Abdul Muttallib had not been a polytheist then Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alaihi wasallam) would have told his uncle that in order to be on the religion of Abdul Muttalib, he would have to leave idol worship but he didn't do that proving that Abdul Muttalib was a mushrik.

Originally Posted by Bassam Zawadi

if my memory serves me right, there is evidence that Abdul Muttalib worshipped Hubal

Interesting. Which book is that mentioned in, Brother? Jazakallahu Kheira.

[Bassam Zawadi]

Interesting. Which book is that mentioned in, Brother? Jazakallahu Kheira.

It is in Ibn Ishaq's seerat rasool Allah. It mentions how Abdul Mutalib wanted to know which one of his sons to sacrifice and he prayed to Allah next to Hubal and he shuffled the divination arrows in order to know which son to sacrifice and the arrow pointed towards Abdullah, the father of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Now, please note that it only states that he stood next to the statue when he prayed to Allah. It does not say that he prayed directly to the statue.

Thus, we don't know exactly what he was doing.

[Muhammad Salman]

Jazak Allah khair for everyone's input but could someone please provide me the reference of the hadith which sisters are talking about

[Umm Muawiyah]

Originally Posted by islamiclife

Jazak Allah khair for everyone's input but could someone please provide me the reference of the hadith which sisters are talking about

Assalamu Alaikum.

Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 23, Number 442:

Narrated Said bin Al-Musaiyab from his father: When the time of the death of Abu Talib approached, Allah's Apostle went to him and found Abu Jahl bin Hisham and 'Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya bin Al-Mughira by his side. Allah's Apostle said to Abu Talib, "O uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, a sentence with which I shall be a witness (i.e. argue) for you before Allah. Abu Jahl and 'Abdullah bin Abi Umaiya said, "O Abu Talib! Are you going to denounce the religion of Abdul Muttalib?" Allah's Apostle kept on inviting Abu Talib to say it (i.e. 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah') while they (Abu Jahl and Abdullah) kept on repeating their statement till Abu Talib said as his last statement that he was on the religion of Abdul Muttalib and refused to say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.' (Then Allah's Apostle said, "I will keep on asking Allah's forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden (by Allah) to do so." So Allah revealed (the verse) concerning him (i.e. It is not fitting for the Prophet and those who believe that they should invoke (Allah) for forgiveness for pagans even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of the fire (9.113)

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Number 223:

Narrated Al-Musaiyab: When Abu Talib was in his death bed, the Prophet went to him while Abu Jahl was sitting beside him. The Prophet said, "O my uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, an expression I will defend your case with, before Allah." Abu Jahl and 'Abdullah bin Umaya said, "O Abu Talib! Will you leave the religion of 'Abdul Muttalib?" So they kept on saying this to him so that the last statement he said to them (before he died) was: "I am on the religion of 'Abdul Muttalib." Then the Prophet said, " I will keep on asking for Allah's Forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden to do so." Then the following Verse was revealed:--

"It is not fitting for the Prophet and the believers to ask Allah's Forgiveness for the pagans, even if they were their near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire." (9.113)

The other Verse was also revealed:-- "(O Prophet!) Verily, you guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He will ......." (28.56)

[Muhammad Salman]

^Jazak Allah khair sister