From the proclamation of Prophethood to the events of Sha‘b Abi Talib, the great responsibility that Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.) fulfilled in supporting the Seal of Prophets, the Last Messenger (PBUH), is truly unparalleled, said the Leader of the Shia community of Pakistan, Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi.
Rawalpindi/Islamabad, 19 September 2025: Allama Syed Sajid Naqvi said that the beloved uncle of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the noble father of the Commander of the Faithful, Hazrat Ali (A.S.), dedicated his life to defending and protecting the Holy Prophet (PBUH) for the sake of propagating and spreading the true religion. As a most responsible member of Banu Hashim and the custodian of the keys of the Holy Kaaba, he carried out his duties with excellence. From the proclamation of Prophethood until the difficult days of Sha‘b Abi Talib, the guardianship and patronage he provided to the Seal of Prophets (PBUH) is beyond comparison.
This is why the Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared the year of the passing of Lady Khadija al-Kubra (S.A.) and Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.) as the “Year of Sorrow” (Aam al-Huzn), expressing his grief over the loss of these two beloved and supportive personalities. Allama Sajid Naqvi made these remarks in his message on 26th Rabi al-Awwal, the day of the demise of Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.).
He further said that before the advent of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), humanity was suffering from decline and corruption. Society was engulfed in chaos and disorder; evil and immorality had spread everywhere. Hatreds and wars had made human life worthless. The dignity of women and the rights of daughters were trampled upon. Every individual had created a deity of their own desires and worshipped it. There was no trace of morality, patience, or forbearance. The bond between Creator and creation was broken—indeed, the true knowledge of the Creator was forgotten.
In such an environment, the advent of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a great glad-tiding for humanity and a promise of eternal salvation. To remove the obstacles and difficulties in the path of the divine call, the noble uncle of the Prophet (PBUH), Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.), came forward, supported Prophethood and worked to remove the hurdles.
The Leader of the Shia community emphasized that during the blessed life of the Prophet (PBUH), Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.)—and after his passing, his children—offered sacrifices of life and wealth to spread the message of Islam, leaving indelible marks of guidance for the entire humanity until the end of time. By following these footsteps, humanity in every era can find the means for its salvation.
