عبد المطلب
ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib
Person
The Prophet’s grandfather, who cared for him after his mother’s death.
What it means
Abdul Muttalib was a leader of Quraysh and keeper of the well of Zamzam. After the death of Muhammad’s mother Aminah, when he was six, he cared for him until his own death two years later. His son Abdullah was the Prophet’s father, and Abu Talib, Hamza and Abbas were among his other sons.
What the sources say
Ibn Ishaq relates that when Abraha’s army came against Mecca in the “Year of the Elephant” (see Quran 105), Abdul Muttalib said: “I am the owner of the camels; the House has a Lord who will protect it.”