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Abd al-Muttalib

Also known as: Shaybah ibn Hashim, Shaybah

Era: pre-islamic-arabia

The grandfather of Prophet Muhammad, chief of the Hashim clan and custodian of the Ka’aba, whose rediscovery of the Zamzam well and leadership of Mecca made him one of the most respected figures in pre-Islamic Arabia. Abd al-Muttalib raised the young Muhammad after his mother’s death, showing him special affection and ensuring his noble upbringing during the critical years from ages six to eight. Though he died before Muhammad’s prophethood, his legacy of honor, dignity, and monotheistic leanings shaped the environment in which Islam would emerge.

Early Life and Rise to Leadership

Birth and Childhood

Birth Name: Shaybah:

  • Born c. 497 CE
  • Name means “gray-haired” (born with gray hair, tradition says)
  • Son of Hashim ibn Abd Manaf
  • Mother: Salma bint Amr (from Yathrib/Medina)

Father’s Death:

  • Hashim died when Shaybah was infant
  • Died in Gaza during trade journey
  • Shaybah raised in Yathrib by mother
  • Grew up away from Mecca

Hashim’s Legacy:

  • Founded Hashim clan
  • Secured trade agreements for Quraysh
  • Fed pilgrims to Ka’aba (instituted siqaya and rifada)
  • Hashim means “bread crusher”—fed the poor

Return to Mecca

Uncle’s Retrieval:

  • Muttalib ibn Abd Manaf (Hashim’s brother) brought Shaybah to Mecca
  • Shaybah was young teenager
  • Meccans thought he was Muttalib’s slave: “Abd al-Muttalib” (slave of Muttalib)
  • Muttalib clarified: “He’s my brother’s son, my nephew”
  • Name stuck: Abd al-Muttalib

Inheritance:

  • Muttalib secured Shaybah’s rights
  • Hashim’s position in Quraysh
  • Custodianship of pilgrims’ feeding (rifada)
  • Watering responsibilities (siqaya)

Coming of Age:

  • Grew into respected leader
  • Handsome, dignified (tradition)
  • Wise and noble character

Chieftainship of Hashim

Leadership:

  • Became chief of Hashim clan
  • One of the most prestigious Quraysh clans
  • Custodian of Ka’aba privileges
  • Responsible for feeding and watering pilgrims

Responsibilities:

  • Rifada: Feeding pilgrims during Hajj
  • Siqaya: Providing water for pilgrims
  • Sidana: Custodianship of Ka’aba
  • Liwa: War banner of Quraysh
  • Hereditary honors from ancestors

The Rediscovery of Zamzam

The Lost Well

Historical Context:

  • Zamzam well: Sacred spring near Ka’aba
  • Tradition: God provided for Hagar and Ismail
  • Tribe of Jurhum buried and hid it centuries earlier
  • Location forgotten for generations
  • Meccans dependent on other water sources

The Vision

Dream:

  • Abd al-Muttalib had recurring dream
  • Voice commanded him to dig up “al-Tayyibah” (the good one)
  • Asked where; told specific location
  • Between two idols near Ka’aba

Obedience:

  • Next day, took son al-Harith (only son at time)
  • Began digging at indicated spot
  • Quraysh mocked him

The Discovery

Finding Zamzam:

  • Dug and found buried well
  • Water gushed forth
  • Also found treasures: Swords, golden gazelles
  • Gazelles dedicated to Ka’aba
  • Swords made into Ka’aba door

Quraysh’s Claim:

  • Demanded share of well and treasures
  • “Our father Ismail’s well, we have rights”
  • Abd al-Muttalib refused
  • Conflict arose

Arbitration:

  • Agreed to consult neutral arbiter
  • Traveled to Syria
  • Oracle decided in Abd al-Muttalib’s favor
  • Zamzam his alone
  • Quraysh accepted ruling

Significance:

  • Restored sacred well after centuries
  • Enhanced Abd al-Muttalib’s prestige
  • Provided water for pilgrims
  • Fulfilled Ka’aba custodian role
  • Zamzam continues to flow today (millions drink during Hajj)

The Vow and the Sacrifice

The Vow

Context:

  • While facing Quraysh opposition over Zamzam
  • Abd al-Muttalib had only one son (al-Harith) at time
  • Felt vulnerable against other clans

The Promise:

  • Vowed: If Allah grants him ten sons who reach adulthood, he’ll sacrifice one at Ka’aba
  • Arab custom of vows to deities
  • Serious oath

Fulfillment:

  • Eventually had ten sons who grew to adulthood:
    • Al-Harith
    • Az-Zubayr
    • Abu Talib
    • Abdullah
    • Hamza
    • Abbas
    • Abu Lahab
    • And others

Obligation:

  • Remembered vow
  • Must fulfill promise
  • Bound by honor

Drawing Lots for Abdullah

The Selection:

  • Gathered ten sons at Ka’aba
  • Used divining arrows (Arab custom)
  • Each son’s name on an arrow
  • Drew lot

Abdullah Chosen:

  • Abdullah’s arrow drawn
  • Most beloved son to Abd al-Muttalib
  • Youngest, handsome, noble
  • Abd al-Muttalib prepared to sacrifice

Arab custom:

  • Human sacrifice rare but known
  • Vows to gods binding
  • Honor demanded fulfillment

Quraysh Intervention

Opposition:

  • Quraysh horrified
  • Abdullah was beloved, noble
  • Abd al-Muttalib’s own clan resisted
  • Particularly Abdullah’s mother and sisters

Pressure:

  • Demanded alternative
  • Suggested consulting soothsayer
  • Offering compromise

Abd al-Muttalib’s Dilemma:

  • Bound by vow
  • But loved Abdullah deeply
  • Pressured by community
  • Sought solution

The Ransom

Consultation:

  • Traveled to Yathrib
  • Consulted wise woman/soothsayer
  • Explained situation

Oracle’s Advice:

  • Draw lots between Abdullah and camels
  • Start with ten camels (standard blood-price)
  • If camels chosen, sacrifice them; if Abdullah, add ten more
  • Continue until Allah accepts

The Process:

  • Returned to Mecca
  • First lot: Abdullah chosen (not camels)
  • Added ten more camels (now 20)
  • Drew again: Abdullah again
  • Continued: 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90…
  • At 100 camels: Camels finally chosen!

The Sacrifice:

  • Sacrificed 100 camels
  • Abdullah spared
  • Joy and relief
  • Established 100 camels as blood-price (diya) in Arabia
  • Precedent followed for generations

Significance:

  • Parallel to Abraham and Ishmael
  • Divine intervention saves chosen one
  • Abdullah spared to father Muhammad
  • God’s plan protected
  • Foreshadows Muhammad’s prophetic lineage

Family and Sons

Ten Sons

Notable Sons:

  1. Abdullah:

    • Most beloved
    • Spared from sacrifice
    • Father of Muhammad
    • Died young before Muhammad’s birth

  2. Abu Talib:

    • Full brother of Abdullah
    • Later guardian of Muhammad
    • Protected Muhammad during prophethood
    • Never converted but defended nephew

  3. Hamza:

    • Brave warrior
    • Later converted to Islam
    • “Lion of God”
    • Martyred at Battle of Uhud

  4. Abbas:

    • Later converted to Islam
    • Ancestor of Abbasid Caliphate
    • Wealthy merchant

  5. Abu Lahab:

    • Fierce opponent of Muhammad
    • Condemned in Quran (Surah 111)
    • Died as enemy of Islam

  6. Al-Harith, Az-Zubayr, and others

Daughters:

  • Also had daughters
  • Less documented (Arab custom)

All Noble:

  • Hashim clan prestige
  • Respected in Mecca
  • Varied destinies

The Year of the Elephant (c. 570 CE)

Abraha’s Invasion

Context:

  • Abraha: Abyssinian (Ethiopian) Christian viceroy of Yemen
  • Built great cathedral in Sana’a
  • Wanted to divert pilgrimage from Mecca to Yemen
  • Ka’aba threatened his economic/religious plans

The Campaign:

  • Abraha marched on Mecca with large army
  • Included war elephant (terrifying to Arabs)
  • Intention: Destroy Ka’aba

Abd al-Muttalib’s Response:

  • Abraha’s forces seized Abd al-Muttalib’s camels
  • Abd al-Muttalib went to Abraha’s camp
  • Requested camels’ return

Famous Exchange:

  • Abraha surprised: “I came to destroy your House (Ka’aba), and you ask about camels?”
  • Abd al-Muttalib replied: “I am the lord of the camels. The Ka’aba has its own Lord who will defend it.”
  • Profound statement of trust in God

Meccans’ Retreat:

  • Abd al-Muttalib advised Meccans to flee to mountains
  • Left Ka’aba’s defense to God
  • Evacuated city

Miraculous Deliverance

Divine Intervention:

  • Quran 105 (Surah al-Fil, “The Elephant”):
    • “Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?”
    • “Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray?”
    • “And He sent against them birds in flocks, Striking them with stones of hard clay, And He made them like eaten straw.”

The Attack:

  • Flocks of birds (ababil) appeared
  • Dropped small stones on Abraha’s army
  • Soldiers struck down
  • Epidemic/plague followed (possibly smallpox)
  • Army destroyed
  • Abraha fled, died soon after

Victory Without Fighting:

  • Meccans returned
  • Ka’aba intact
  • Abd al-Muttalib’s faith vindicated
  • “The Ka’aba has its own Lord”

Muhammad’s Birth Year:

  • Islamic tradition: Muhammad born same year (c. 570 CE)
  • “Year of the Elephant”
  • Connected prophet’s birth to divine intervention
  • Abd al-Muttalib’s grandson born in miraculous year

Relationship with Muhammad

Grandfather’s Custody (577-578 CE)

Aminah’s Death:

  • Muhammad’s mother died when he was 6
  • At Abwa, between Mecca and Medina
  • Umm Ayman brought Muhammad back to Mecca
  • Abd al-Muttalib took custody

Special Affection:

  • Tradition: Abd al-Muttalib loved Muhammad extraordinarily
  • More than his own sons
  • Sensed something special about grandson

Privileged Treatment:

  • Carpet spread for Abd al-Muttalib in Ka’aba’s shade (place of honor)
  • Sons sat around carpet, none dared sit on it
  • Young Muhammad would sit directly on carpet
  • Others tried to move him
  • Abd al-Muttalib: “Leave my son! By Allah, he has a great future”
  • Allowed Muhammad privilege no one else had

Constant Companion:

  • Took Muhammad everywhere
  • To tribal councils
  • To Ka’aba
  • Muhammad rarely left his side

Protection and Love:

  • Shielded Muhammad from hardship
  • Provided for orphan grandson
  • Recognized his nobility
  • Two years of care and affection

Abd al-Muttalib’s Death (c. 578 CE)

Muhammad’s Age: ~8 years old

Third Loss:

  • Father: Never knew (died before birth)
  • Mother: Died when 6
  • Grandfather: Died when 8
  • Triple orphan

Deathbed:

  • Abd al-Muttalib aware of approaching death
  • Age ~80-82 years
  • Long, honored life

Final Arrangements:

  • Entrusted Muhammad to Abu Talib (Abd al-Muttalib’s son)
  • Same mother as Abdullah (Muhammad’s father)
  • “Take care of him, he has a great future”
  • Abu Talib promised

Muhammad’s Grief:

  • Deep sorrow
  • Lost beloved grandfather
  • Attended funeral
  • Followed bier weeping (tradition)

Burial:

  • Buried in Jannat al-Mu’alla cemetery, Mecca
  • Honored burial
  • Muhammad visited grave

Legacy to Muhammad:

  • Dignity and honor
  • Noble bearing
  • Trust in God (Ka’aba’s defense)
  • Care for orphans (having been cared for)
  • Leadership qualities

Character and Qualities

Leadership

Respected Chief:

  • Commanded Quraysh respect
  • Wise counsel sought
  • Arbitrator of disputes
  • Dignified presence

Ka’aba Custodian:

  • Fed pilgrims (rifada)
  • Provided water (siqaya)
  • Maintained sacred site
  • Generous hospitality

Wisdom

Year of the Elephant:

  • Trusted God over human effort
  • “Ka’aba has its own Lord”
  • Strategic and spiritual

Zamzam Discovery:

  • Followed vision despite mockery
  • Persevered in digging
  • Vindicated by discovery

Monotheistic Leanings

Hanif Tradition:

  • Some Arabs rejected polytheism
  • Sought Abraham’s original monotheism
  • Called Hunafa (singular: Hanif)

Abd al-Muttalib’s Beliefs:

  • Tradition suggests monotheistic inclinations
  • Vows to “Allah” specifically
  • Trusted God (not idols) for Ka’aba’s defense
  • Later contrast: Abu Lahab (polytheist) vs. Abbas (monotheist)

Not Muslim (Islam didn’t exist yet):

  • Died before Islam
  • Pre-Islamic era
  • But possibly inclined toward monotheism

Generosity

Feeding Pilgrims:

  • Continued Hashim’s legacy
  • Provided food during Hajj
  • Water from Zamzam
  • Hospitality renowned

Care for Orphans:

  • Took in orphan grandson
  • Loved him specially
  • Ensured his upbringing
  • Model for Islamic orphan care

Honor

Fulfilled Vows:

  • Prepared to sacrifice Abdullah
  • Found legitimate alternative
  • Honor-bound

Defended Ka’aba:

  • Against Abraha
  • Trusted God’s protection

Abd al-Muttalib’s Theological Status

Died Before Islam

Pre-Islamic Death:

  • No access to Quranic revelation
  • Lived in jahiliyyah (ignorance)
  • No formal Islam to accept

Scholarly Views:

  1. Some scholars: Saved due to monotheistic leanings and prophet’s ancestry
  2. Orthodox position: Cannot judge; Allah alone knows
  3. Respect: Honored as Muhammad’s grandfather but not worshiped

Muhammad’s Silence:

  • Muhammad didn’t claim grandfather’s salvation
  • Respected but didn’t intercede (similar to mother)
  • Islamic principle applied universally

Legacy

To Muhammad

Character Formation:

  • Dignity and nobility
  • Trust in God
  • Care for weak
  • Leadership qualities

Orphan Advocacy:

  • Muhammad experienced grandfather’s care
  • Later championed orphans
  • Quran’s orphan protections stem from experience

Ka’aba Connection:

  • Muhammad’s family Ka’aba custodians
  • Later cleansed Ka’aba of idols (630 CE)
  • Family role fulfilled

To Mecca

Zamzam:

  • Rediscovered sacred well
  • Still flows today
  • Millions drink during Hajj
  • Abd al-Muttalib’s enduring legacy

Blood-Price:

  • 100 camels as diya
  • Legal precedent
  • Islamic law adopted it

Leadership Model:

  • Wise, generous, dignified chief
  • Standard for leaders

To Islam

Prophetic Lineage:

  • Essential link to Muhammad
  • Noble pedigree established
  • Hashim clan honored

Zamzam’s Significance:

  • Connected to Hagar and Ismail
  • Abd al-Muttalib restored it
  • Ritual of Hajj includes Zamzam

Significance

Abd al-Muttalib was the man who dug until he found water, who trusted God to defend his House, who loved his orphan grandson with extraordinary affection, and who said, “He has a great future,” about a penniless boy named Muhammad.

He lived 80 years, rediscovered Zamzam, led Mecca with dignity, witnessed miracles (Year of the Elephant), and raised the future prophet for two critical years. He sensed Muhammad’s destiny but never saw it unfold. He died before Islam existed, yet his legacy flows through it like Zamzam water through parched throats.

When Abd al-Muttalib allowed young Muhammad to sit on his carpet—the place of honor no one else could touch—he was honoring the child no one else valued. The orphan without wealth, without father, without mother, sat where chiefs sat, because his grandfather saw what others missed: greatness in the guise of vulnerability.

“Leave my son! He has a great future.” Those words proved prophetic. The child on the carpet became the prophet in the cave, the messenger to the world, the beloved of billions. Abd al-Muttalib never knew, but he believed anyway.

The well-digger found more than water; he found his life’s purpose in caring for an orphan. The chief who trusted God to defend Ka’aba raised the man who would cleanse it of idols. The grandfather who loved specially taught the prophet to love orphans universally.

Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim: the well-digger, the chief, the grandfather. He dug until he found water. He trusted until God proved faithful. He loved until the orphan felt valued. And though he died before Islam began, his legacy flows through every Muslim who drinks Zamzam, every orphan Muhammad protected, every trust in God’s providence.

“The Ka’aba has its own Lord.” Those words echo still. The Lord of the Ka’aba became the Lord of Muhammad’s mission, and the man who trusted Him with his House unknowingly prepared the way for the one who would submit the world to Him.