Talib ibn Abi Talib

Ṭālib ibn Abī Ṭālib was a first cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a brother of Ali.

Family

He was born in Mecca, the eldest son of Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib and of Fatimah bint Asad. The young Muhammad lived in their house from the time he and Talib were both eight years old.

He had no offspring. However, there was a disagreement among the Sahaba regarding this. Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan and Muadh ibn Jabal are said to have disagreed with this principle, saying as Muslims can marry nonbelieving women, so can they inherit their inheritance. But Ali, Abdullah ibn Umar and other companions followed the principle.

Battle of Badr

In 624 Talib set out with the Meccan army to rescue the merchant-caravan that was threatened with a Muslim attack. When word came from Abu Sufyan that the caravan had arrived safely home so there was no need to continue the march, some of the Quraysh nevertheless wanted to continue as far as Badr. They said to Talib: "We know, O Son of Hashim, that if you have come out with us, your heart is with Muhammad." A poem about his decision to return to Mecca is attributed to him.

O God, if Talib goes forth to war unwillingly with one of these squadrons, Let him be the plundered not the plunderer, the vanquished not the victor.