Uncle of the Prophet ﷺ

Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib الْعَبَّاس بْن عَبْد الْمُطَّلِب

Uncle of the Prophet ﷺ and keeper of the pilgrims' water at the Ka'bah, who protected his nephew in Makkah, secretly aided the Muslims, openly embraced Islam by the conquest, and whose descendants founded the Abbasid dynasty. Umar would seek rain through his supplication.

Protector in Makkah

Al-Abbas held the honoured office of providing water (siqayah) to the pilgrims. Though he kept his faith concealed for years, he shielded the Prophet ﷺ and witnessed the secret Pledge of Aqabah, guaranteeing the Ansar's commitment to protect his nephew.

A Reluctant Captive

He was taken prisoner at Badr while still outwardly with Quraysh; the Prophet ﷺ insisted he pay ransom like the others, teaching that justice spares no one by kinship. Soon after, al-Abbas openly declared the Islam he had long held, becoming a pillar of the community.

At Hunayn and Beyond

At the Battle of Hunayn, when the Muslims wavered under a sudden ambush, it was the powerful voice of al-Abbas, calling the Companions back at the Prophet's command, that rallied them to a great victory. He was deeply honoured by the Prophet ﷺ, who taught that respect for him was respect for the Prophet himself.

Rain Through His Prayer

In a year of drought, Umar gathered the people and asked al-Abbas to make supplication for rain, saying they used to seek it through the Prophet ﷺ and now sought it through his uncle — and Allah sent rain. Al-Abbas died in Madinah around 32 AH, ancestor of the Abbasid caliphs.

Lessons

  • One can serve the truth quietly before the time is right to declare it.
  • Justice applies even to the family of the Prophet ﷺ.
  • Honouring the righteous of a household honours the household itself.

Quran references

8:70