Sunnis acknowledge decisive role of Abu Talib in advancing Message of Prophet (p.b.u.h)

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Thursday, 25 February 2021

Chairman of the Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute said, “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) had a decisive role in advancing the goal of the mission of the Prophet (p.b.u.h). He fought the enemies in defense of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h).”

 

The 25^th Academic pre-conference of the “International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” was held on Friday evening, February 12, 2021, entitled “Research Guide on Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)” and was held virtually.

Organized by the secretariat of the conference, hosted by the Islamic Propagation Office of Yazd Province and in cooperation with ABNA News Agency, in the meeting, a group of Yazdi scholars attended.

Hojat al-Islam Dr. ‘Mohaghegh Zare Khourmizi” was the secretary of this Academic conference. In the meeting, the chairman of the “Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute”, Hojat al-Islam “Muhammad Mehdi Sabahi Kashani” and one of the senior professors of the seminary Hojat al-Islam “Sayed Muhammad Kazem Modarresi” delivered their speeches. Hojat al-Islam “Arezoumandi” was the director of the 25^th academic conference of the “International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)”.

In addition to the “Skyroom environment”, the meeting was also broadcast live on the “Virtual Meetings of AhlulBayt” page on the social network of Instagram.

“He was a supporter of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) for 30 years and served as a Quraysh believer for 10 years,” stated Hojat al-Islam Dr. Muhammad Reza Mohaghegh Zare Khourmizi at the beginning of the session, referring to the life of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).

“But the character of Hazrat Abu Talib was marginalized for various reasons. However, his support for Islam is so great that there is no opportunity to express it all,” added the secretary of the academic session.

“During the boycott (of Quraysh against Bani Hashem, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and his followers) in She’b (Valley) of Abi Talib, for three years Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) resisted and continued to support the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h). One of the topics that can be examined is crisis management and the management during the sanctions that Abu Talib (a.s.) had during this period,” added.

“International Conference of “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); The supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” has called on the five main topics of “history and biography”, “Theology and Beliefs”, “Poetry and Literature”, “Authors”, and “Hazrat Abu Talib and the Resistance”, and we are ready to receive academic, artistic, and literary articles and works of scholars and artists of Yazd province. Also, if there are books about Hazrat Abu Talib in the works and manuscripts of Yazd libraries, we are ready to prioritize the revival of these works,” said the Mohaghegh Zare about the topics of the conference.

“I hope that tonight’s pre-session, entitled “Research Guide on Hazrat Abu Talib”, will pave the way for the presence of Yazidi scholars in this conference,” stated the secretary of the academic conference about it.

“The chairman of the “Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute”, Hojat al-Islam “Muhammad Mehdi Sabahi Kashani”, has dedicated his life to reviving the works related to Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and has done unique works in this field,” he said, introducing the first speaker of the meeting.

According to ABNA, Hojat al-Islam Muhammad Mehdi Sabahi Kashani was the first speaker of the “25^th Academic Conference of the International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)”. “One of the issues that has been approved by the great figures of the Shiite world and the Grand Sources of Emulation, and which the Supreme Leader also paid attention to, is the knowledge of Abu Talib (a.s.), the father of Imam Ali (a.s.). The Infallible Imams (a.s.), however being Imams, paid special attention to Abu Talib (a.s.) and introduced him to the people with his all characteristics. Unfortunately, this was neglected for 42 years after the (Islamic) revolution of (Ian)”, he stated, referring to the importance of paying attention to the biography of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).

“One of the main topics of the “Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” is the introduction of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) from the perspective of Sunni scholars. The majority of Muslims follow the Sunni denomination, and in some Sunni historical and Tafsir books, histories of the life of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) are mentioned, in which Abu Talib (a.s.) played a fundamental and decisive role. If these cases are collected, the extent and importance of the role of Abu Talib in helping the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) and providing the ground for the advancement of Islam will be determined,” continued the chairman of “Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute”.

“Shiite scholars unanimously acknowledge the distinguished personality of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and recognize what a high position he had in terms of knowledge and piety. In the “International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” we intend to prove this issue to the Sunni brothers as well so that they can refer to what has been mentioned about Abu Talib in their famous books pay attention to that. Therefore, the sources in this conference are mostly Sunni sources, and fewer Shiite sources are cited. In these sources, the manaqabs (virtues) of Hazrat Abu Talib are mentioned along with the manaqabs of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h),” he added.

“Hazrat Abu Talib had the confirming role for the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) so that the Prophet (p.b.u.h) could express the verses of the Holy Quran and the divine laws. He defended the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) against the wicked. These matters have been mentioned by Sunni scholars in their books. Some of them, while mentioning the manaqeb (virtues) of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), have mentioned the role of Abu Talib (a.s.) in helping the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) to defend his religion. In the upcoming conference, we seek to clarify these issues so that they can be brought to the attention of all Muslims,” emphasized the seminary researcher.

“By reviewing 300 books from Sunni sources, we have collected 135 moral, hadith, tafsir, and historical topics in which Abu Talib played a decisive role,” clarified Sabahi Kashani about these sources and books.

“For example, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tunji, one of the Sunni professors at the University of Aleppo, from whom many theses and articles have been published, collected poems related to Abu Talib (a.s.), which resulted in the publication of the most complete poetry collection related to Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). the university prof. said that regardless of whether or not Abu Talib had faith, (p.b.u.h) for 42 years until his death, he played a decisive role in the life of the Holy Prophet. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) was under the care of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) from the age of eight, and he played an important role in all stages of the Prophet’s life - from childhood and adolescence and marriage to activities after the Be’that (Prophet’s first revelation). He was a supporter of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) in advancing his divine goals,” he continued.

“After the Be’that, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) invited the leaders of the Mushrekin in several meetings, but these meetings were disrupted. But Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) took over the management of the last meeting and did not allow “Abu Lahab” to disrupt it. It was in this meeting that the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) introduced Imam Ali (a.s.) as his Wasi (successor) and minister. Hazrat Abu Talib played a pivotal role in that meeting and because of defending the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) he heard sarcasm from the Mushrekin that: Now you must obey your son!”, Chairman of the Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute defined the historical event as an example of the effective support of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).

Emphasizing that “those who are devoted to Imam Ali (a.s.) and want the Welaya of Imam Ali (a.s.) to be spread, should also keep alive the role of Abu Talib”, also referred to some doubts about the faith of Abu Talib (a.s.) and said, “Some say: “Because Abu Talib did not publicly say Shahada, he may not have become a Muslim!” However, a person who wants to conduct a meeting such as the meeting of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) with the leaders of the Mushrekin and to advance the goals of the Mission, must apparently maintain neutrality. Hazrat Abu Talib did as such and in some of his poems he states that “If I cannot express my faith publicly, it is because I want to support the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h).” So, Hazrat Abu Talib showed his faith in Islam practically.”

“Some sophists say: “Because the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) did not pray on the body of Abu Talib, he was not a Muslim!” While there was no prayer for the dead in Mecca that time at all, and its ruling was legislated after the migration of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) to Medina,” Sabahi Kashani quoted another doubt about the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib.

“Before Islam, there were intelligent and knowledgeable figures in the Arabian Peninsula who were known as thinker people. Some of them were also associated with Christian and Jewish scholars. Some of the rules of Islam are related to Jahiliyyah (the age of ignorance before the advent of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula, pre-Islamic era), which Islam confirmed. So, there were scholars in the Jahiliyyah who had the role of propagating wisdom among the people, and Abu Talib (a.s.) was one of them - but their leader,” he stated, recognizing Hazrat Abu Talib bin Abd al-Muttalib as one of the famous Arab sages before the Be’that of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h).

“In the time Jahiliyyah, there were people who forbade Khamr (every alcoholic beverage) and considered it indecent to drink it. Among these people was Hazrat Abu Talib. All the people acknowledge the presidency of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and knew him as a comprehensive leader and figure. Even before the Be’that of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) and during the pre-Islamic era, he followed the Islamic laws – that existed in the religion of the Prophet Abraham – and we consider “faith” to be part of his personality,” he added.

“As a result, some believe that Abu Talib was the “successor of the former prophets”. The issue should be addressed in the International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), the Supporter of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h),” added Chairman of the Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute.

“His character is anonymous who should be introduced to others and set a role model. In addition to supporting the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), Abu Talib also sheltered other Muslims,” he said, emphasizing that there is a lot of work to be done about the character of Hazrat Abu Talib.

“The greatest figure who has worked on the biography of Hazrat Abu Talib is Allameh “Abd al-Hossein Amini”. He has dedicated a large part of the 7^th volume, and the 8^th volume of his book “al-Ghadir” to Hazrat Abu Talib,” in the end concluded Hojat al-Islam Sabahi Kashani, emphasizing that Hazrat Abu Talib is one of the decisive figures in the advancement of Islam and Sunni scholars have acknowledged this.

“Anyone who wants to work on Abu Talib must first refer to the book of Al-Ghadir - not its summary in Persian. Also, the book “Zalama Abi Taleb, Tarikh wa Derasa” by Allameh “Sayed Ja’far Mortaza Al-Ameli” should be studied by researchers in the first step,” he said, as one of the research requirements in this regard.

Ayatollah Modarresi Yazdi: Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) is an exceptional figure

According to ABNA, the second speaker of the “25^th Academic pre-conference of the International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h) was Hojat al-Islam, Sayed Muhammad Kazem Modarresi Yazdi. “The first result of such a discussion is to further recognize the virtue and character of Imam Ali (a.s.), and the AhlulBayt (a.s.),” he said, referring to the reasons for the need to address the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib.

Throughout history, those who had noble fathers and grandfathers have had a special virtue in society. Just as those who want to lead society, if there is a negative view of their family, they will not have the necessary requirements to lead the society. Hence, some throughout history have tried to hide the virtues of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and even fabricate material against them.

“Those who deny the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) seek to equate this character with the fathers of their leaders who were Mushrik. In order to hide their flaws, they make others look imperfect. But we are proud to have leaders who have no flaws in their lives and others have to admit it,” continued the vice president of Yazd Seminary Council.

“His tomb in the city of “Mecca” had a dome and a mausoleum, but the Wahhabis destroyed it. Throughout history, the enemies of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) have also challenged the virtues of the Infallibles (a.s.),” he added, regarding the enmity of the opponents of AhlulBayt (a.s.) with Hazrat Abu Talib.

“Proving the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) is a doctrinal and theological argument. We believe that the fathers of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) were believers. Because the field must be clean for flowers and plants to grow, and they not flourish in a dirty field,” said Hojat al-Islam Modarresi Yazdi, considering the life of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) examinable from different dimensions.

“Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) passed away during the time of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h). But some people, because of their hatred for him, not only did not mention him as a “believing companion” of the Prophet, but they did not even consider him as “Mokhadhram” (In the field of hadith, it refers to someone who lived in both the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras, and also saw the companions, but did not meet the Prophet)!” he continued.

“This is an important point, why do some people deny the virtues of Abu Talib (a.s.) with all this evidence and while the AhlulBayt (a.s.) unanimously believed in the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib? Whenever in the presence of the Infallible Imams (a.s.) there was talk of Hazrat Abu Talib, they prove his faith and this shows the grace of his character,” the professor at seminary and university said.

“Hazrat Abu Talib was the husband of Hazrat “Fatemeh bint Asad” (a.s.). This noble lady was a devout woman and especially respected by the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). In order for Kafa'ah (equality or equivalence) in terms of faith and Sherk to be considered as a religious issue in marriage, in Islam, the husband of a Muslim woman must be a Muslim himself. The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) ordered the separation of Muslims from their non-Muslim spouses, but he never had such an opinion about Fatima bint Asad and Abu Talib,” added vice-president of the Yazd seminary council as another clear proof of the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib.

“Hiding the virtues of true leaders is not a virtue! But in order to confront these concealments, the doubts related to the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib and also the personality of the skeptics must be explained,” stated Ayatollah Modarresi Yazdi, referring to the necessity of answering doubts about Hazrat Abu Talib.

“One of the important doubts that raised about Abu Talib (a.s.) is that “why did this figure not openly join the ranks of Muslims?” We also agree that Abu Talib did not express Islam publicly. The reason was that he was great of Mecca, the leader of Bani Hashem - but the whole Quraysh-, the holder of the keys of Kaaba and was considered one of the noble Arabs. Therefore, he considered it necessary to cover his faith in order to continue his support for Islam and Muslims,” he mentioned.

“Abu Talib accepted Islam and did not worship idols a single day even before the Be’that of the Prophet. He ordered his children to pray with the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Due to such supports, despite being the elder and noble of Mecca, he lived in suffering in the She’b (Valley) of Abi Talib (during the boycott of Quraysh against Bani Hashem, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and his followers) for three years, but he did not give up on the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h),” continued the vice president of Yazd Seminary Council.

“After the victory of the Islamic Revolution (in Iran), various books about the Abu Talib have been published,” added Ayatollah Modarresi Yazdi, noting that “Allameh Amini in his book Al-Ghadir has emphasized the point that Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) is an exceptional figure.

“Hojat al-Islam “Mohammad Mahdi Eshtehardi” compiled a valuable booklet in this regard called “The Honorable Life of Hazrat Abu Talib (p.b.u.h)” which was published by “Beh Nashr” Publications affiliated with Astan Quds Razavi. The booklet clarifies the brief life of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) for the reader and is a short and clear booklet that has both Arabic and Persian text,” in the end, he concluded with introducing some of the books about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).

“There is also another booklet entitled “Abu Talib; Supporter of the Prophet” by Hojat al-Islam “Mohammad Hassan Shafi’i Shahroudi”. Hojat al-Islam Shafi’i Shahroudi is the person who translated Al-Ghadir book into Persian and summarized it in one volume and brought this book from the library shelves to the desks. Because Al-Ghadir is a reference book that is sometimes referred to. Hojat al-Islam Shafi”i Shahroudi compiled an independent part of Al-Ghadir book that is about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) in a short booklet,” Modarresi added.

To see the pictures of this academic pre-conference, click here.

It should be mentioned that by the initiation of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, and support and cooperation of the similar institutions, including, “Imam Hossein (a.s.) Holy Shrine”, “Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute”, “The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought”, “Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy of Islamic Propagation Office”, “Al-Mustafa International University”, “Hawza Language teaching center”, “International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.)”, “Mirath-e Nabowat Cultural Institute”, “Jamiat al-Zahra Seminary University”, “Zorria al-Nabawia Research Center”, “Qasem ibn al-Hassan (a.s.) Religious-Cultural Institute”, and “Abna al-Rasoul Cultural and Artistic Institute”; international conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” will be held on Rajab 25, 26 and 27, 1442 (Mrch 9, 10 and 11, 2021) on the anniversary of the death of Abu Talib (a.s.).

The deadline for submitting academic works and articles to this conference has been extended until February 18, 2021.

To receive the academic call of the conference, click here.

The other program which will be held on the sideline of the conference is the “General Festival of Poetry about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)”.

To receive the academic call for the Poetry Festival, click here.

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