1/90. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 209a — Abu Talib and Intercession
The Intercession of the Prophet (saws) for Abu Talib and the reduction of his punishment as a result
Hadith About Abu Talib and the Prophet’s Intercession
Sahih Muslim : 209a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 209a
وَحَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ الْقَوَارِيرِيُّ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرِ الْمُقَدَّمِيُّ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ الأُمَوِيُّ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ نَوْفَلٍ، عَنِ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلْ نَفَعْتَ أَبَا طَالِبٍ بِشَىْءٍ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَحُوطُكَ وَيَغْضَبُ لَكَ قَالَ " نَعَمْ هُوَ فِي ضَحْضَاحٍ مِنْ نَارٍ وَلَوْلاَ أَنَا لَكَانَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ " .
'Abbas b. Abd al-Muttalib Narrated from:
Messenger of Allah, have you benefited Abu Talib in any way for he defended you and was fervent in your defence? The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) said: Yes; he would be in the most shallow part of the Fire and were not for me, he would have been in the bottom-most depth of Hell.
[1] Referring to Sûrat Al-Masad (111), and that Al-A'mash recited it in a slightly different manner than what is popular. [2] Ash-Shu'arâ' 26:214.Reference : Sahih Muslim 209aIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 416USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 408
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 209a
This hadith about Abu Talib and intercession answers a direct question from Abbas b. Abd al-Muttalib. Abbas asked whether the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had benefited Abu Talib, since Abu Talib defended him and was strong in his support. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) answered yes. He said Abu Talib would be in the shallow part of the Fire, and if not for him, Abu Talib would have been in the bottom-most depth of Hell. The hadith does not turn this into a general rule for everyone. It speaks about Abu Talib and the benefit mentioned in this specific case. The main lesson is that defending the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was mentioned, but the final matter still belongs to Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abbas asked about Abu Talib because he defended the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said Abu Talib’s punishment was reduced.
- The report speaks about this specific case and should not be stretched beyond its wording.
