Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib

Born around 535 into Mecca's Qurayshi tribe, Abu Talib inherited leadership of Banu Hashim after his father Abd al-Muttalib's death, along with the clan offices of Siqaya and Rifada. He was well-respected in the city. As brother to Abdullah, he became uncle and guardian to the orphaned Muhammad, and later father to Ali. He used his position as tribal chieftain to protect his nephew as the new prophet's message drew hostility. Abu Talib died in 619. Whether he died a believer is contested: most Sunni scholars hold he never accepted Islam; Shia scholars insist he was devout but concealed his fai…