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The Influence of Historical Sources on the Portrayal of Abū Ṭālib’s Character: A Comparison of the Narratives of Yaʿqūbī and Ṭabarī
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Ali HAli Hossein Zadeh *    , Ali Hossein Zadeh |
| Faculty Member, University of Islamic Sciences Razavi; Graduate of Khorasan Seminary, Mashhad, Iran , jalaeyan@razavi.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (678 Views) |
Understanding Abū Ṭālib’s historical standing and assessing the extent of his support for and belief in the Prophet (PBUH) depends on a meticulous examination of the available narratives preserved in early sources. Among the principal works of Islamic historiography—Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī and Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī—both provide accounts of various stages in Abū Ṭālib’s life; yet the form, level of details, and perspective adopted by the two historians are notably different. Employing a desk study and descriptive–analytical approach, this research compares the narratives presented in these two major sources and argues that their divergence in portraying Abū Ṭālib stems from distinct historiographical methods and different set of narrative data. Al-Yaʿqūbī offers an extensive narrative enriched with Abū Ṭālib’s poems and sermons, ultimately portraying him as an active, supportive figure inclined toward faith in the Prophet. Al-Ṭabarī, in contrast, provides a more concise account with limited reference to Abū Ṭālib’s practical actions and virtually avoids engaging with his theological stance. The comparative reading of these two narratives contributes to a deeper historical reinterpretation of Abū Ṭālib’s standing and elucidates methodological and perspectival differences between two of the most influential historians of early Islam.
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| Keywords: The faith of Abu Talib, the sermons of Abu Talib, the great prophet, the history of Yaqubi, the history of Tabari |
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Full-Text [PDF 475 kb]
(75 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
History of the period of the Prophet of Isalm
Received: 2025/05/12 | Revised: 2026/06/21 | Accepted: 2025/11/1 | Published: 2026/03/1 | ePublished: 2026/03/1
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