The Quraysh challenge Abu Talib

Soon the Quraysh relised that Abu Talib was not going to ask his nephew to stop his rebellious preaching. They could no longer keep silent, and eventually they all came together to plan their response to the situation.

Aterwards, they again met with Abu Talib, and this time their words were not so honeyed. They warned him sternly, “O Abu Talib, you are old and we hold you in high esteem. We asked you to restrain your nephew, but you did nothing. By God, we cannot tolerate this any longer – our fathers are denounced, we are called ignorant, and our gods are insulted. Either you stop him, or we will fight you both until one side perishes.”

Abu Talib felt the sting of these belligerent words. The polytheists of Makkah had challenged him, and he took the threats seriously. He sent for the Prophet and told him of what the men of the Quraysh had said. “Have mercy on me and yourself,” he told his nephew, “and do not impose on me a burden greater than I can bear.”

When the Prophet heard what Abu Talib had to say, he replied, “O my uncle, I swear by Allah, if they were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left and ask me to abandon this mission, I would not turn from it until Allah made me victorious or I perish therein.”

Witnessing Muhammad’s resolve, Abu Talib unhesitatingly offered his nephew his full support. “Come back, my nephew! Go where you please and say what you will. By God, I will never turn away from you, come what may