Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As-Salaam Alaykum! Here is a good question for those educated in Islam. If Abdul-Mutalib the Grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the Chief of Makkah during his grandson's childhood.

Why after his death did the Office of Amir in Makkah go over to the sinister Abu Sufyan and not the Uncles Abbas, Abu Talib, Abdul-Uzza(Abu Lahab), Hamza of the Prophet (SAW) or his father Abdullah?

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Answer:

Abdul muttalib was chief of makkah

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Several Arab tribes had settled in the valley of Makkah in the passage of time after the building of the Holy Kaaba by Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.), and each tribe had its own leader or chief. Amongst the chiefs of the several tribes, the one/s whose tribes was the largest or strongest, or the chief/s who had a strong character and was respected for his wisdom and knowledge would assume the role of the de-facto leader/s or ‘Amir’ of the city of Makkah.

It was neither the norm nor the practice in those times that the eldest son of the leader or ‘Amir’ of Makkah would automatically assume the leadership of the city after the death of his father…but one or more amongst the chiefs of the other tribes who had leadership qualities would assume the role of the ‘Amir’.

After the death of Abdul-Muttalib who was not only the chief of the tribe of ‘Banu Hashim’ but also regarded as the ‘Amir’ of Makkah by the other tribal leaders, the leadership of the city of Makkah was assumed by the other tribal chiefs…the most notable amongst them being Aas bin Wail, Waleed ibn Mughirah, and to some extent even Utbah and Shaybah.

Abu Talib, being the eldest son of Abdul-Muttalib was indeed the chief of the tribe of ‘Banu-Hashim’ and also one of the respected tribal chiefs of Makkah; but the other tribal chiefs preceded him in rank and assumed the role of the being the ‘Amir’ of Makkah.

Abu Sufyan of the tribe of Banu-Umayyah was but a child at the time, and he only assumed leadership of his own tribe as well as the city of Makkah when he was well into his 50s and only after all the other big leaders were killed in the Battle of Badr, almost 15 years after Prophet Mohamed (saws) was chosen to the rank of a Prophet by Allah Subhanah!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan