Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib

After the death of Abd al-Muttalib, Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib took custody of his orphaned nephew Muhammad. He raised Muhammad as his own son, protecting him from harm and providing for his upbringing in the Quraysh elite.

When Muhammad began receiving revelations and preaching Islam, Abu Talib publicly declared his support despite not converting. He used his influence as a Quraysh leader to protect Muhammad from persecution, invoking clan solidarity to shield him from assassination attempts.

The Quraysh leaders demanded that Abu Talib surrender Muhammad for execution or expel him from Mecca. Abu Talib refused, despite the Quraysh imposing a social and economic boycott on his clan, the Banu Hashim. His refusal kept Muhammad safe.

Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib died in Mecca, reportedly without converting to Islam. His death removed Muhammad's primary protector, leading to increased persecution of Muslims. This year is known as the Year of Sorrow in Islamic tradition.