Guardianship of the Holy Prophet (sa)
In relation to how he came under the guardianship of the Holy Prophet (sa), Mujahid bin Jabr Abul Hajjaj relates:
“The Quraish were faced with a great hardship, but Allah the Almighty ensured that this hardship was a blessing and good fortune for Hazrat Ali (ra). Hazrat Abu Talib had a large family, hence the Holy Prophet (sa) went to his paternal uncle, Hazrat Abbas (ra), who was among the more affluent people of the Banu Hashim and said, ‘O Abbas! Your brother, Abu Talib, has a large family. You are aware of the circumstances the people are facing due to the famine.’” There was an outbreak of famine at the time. “‘Let us go and help reduce the burden with regards to his family.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said to Hazrat Abbas (ra), ‘I will take one of his sons and you should also take one. In this way, we will look after them to ease the burden from Abu Talib.’
“Hazrat Abbas (ra) agreed to this. Both of them went to Hazrat Abu Talib and said, ‘We wish to reduce the burden of your family, until a time when the circumstances faced by the people improve.’ Hazrat Abu Talib replied, ‘You may do as you please, but leave Aqeel with me.’ Hence, the Holy Prophet (sa) included Hazrat Ali (ra) as part of his family and Hazrat Abbas (ra) took Ja‘far and included him as part of his family. Hazrat Ali (ra) stayed with the Holy Prophet (sa) until Allah the Almighty appointed him as a prophet. Hazrat Ali (ra) affirmed his belief in the Holy Prophet (sa), accepted his message and testified to his truthfulness. Hazrat Ja‘far (ra) stayed with Hazrat Abbas (ra) until he, i.e. Hazrat Ja‘far (ra), accepted Islam. Following this, Hazrat Abbas (ra) released him from his guardianship.”
This narration has been taken from Tarikh al-Tabari.
(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, Dhikr al-khabar amma kana min amr Nabi Allahsa… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Fikr, 2002], 225)
Mentioning the same incident, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) has presented it in the following manner:
“Abu Talib was a very respectable man. However, he suffered from poverty and would just about survive of what he had. Particularly as a result of the drought in Mecca during those days, Abu Talib was the victim of great suffering. When Muhammad (sa) noticed the anguish of his paternal uncle Abu Talib, he approached his uncle Abbas (ra) and proposed, ‘O Uncle! Your brother Abu Talib lives in a state of difficulty. Would not it be worthy if from his sons you took one to your home and I bring one to my home.’Abbas (ra) agreed to this proposal and both of them went to Abu Talib and presented this proposal. Among his children, Abu Talib dearly loved his son Aqeel, hence he said, ‘Leave Aqeel with me and if you wish, you may take the others into your care.’ Therefore, Ja‘far was taken into the guardianship of Abbas (ra) and Ali (ra) was taken by Muhammad (sa). Hazrat Ali (ra) was approximately six to seven years of age and from that day he remained in the blessed guardianship of Muhammad (sa).”
*(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), p. 111) *