Ibn Abbas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abdullah ibn al-Abbas
عَبْد ٱللَّٰه ٱبْن عَبَّاس
Abdullah ibn al-Abbas's name in Arabic calligraphy
Religion	Islam
Known for	Interpretation of the Qur'an
Other names	Al-Hibr ("The Doctor") Al-Bahr ("The Sea")
Personal
Born	Abdullah ibn al-Abbas c. 619 CE Mecca, Hejaz
Died	c. 687 CE at-Ta'if
Resting place	at-Ta'if
Senior posting
Title	Hibr Al-Ummah
Spouse(s)	Zahra bint Mishrah and a concubine
Children	Sons: Al-Abbas, Ali ibn Abdullah, Muhammad, Ubaydullah, Al-Fadl Saad Daughters: Lubaba Asma (the latter's mother was the concubine)
Parents	Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (father) Lubaba bint al-Harith (mother)

Abdullah ibn Abbas (c. 619– 687 CE), often called Ibn Abbas, was a cousin of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. He is known as one of the greatest interpreters of the Qur'an.

He was the son of Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, who was Muhammad's uncle. His aunt, Maymunah bint al-Harith, later became one of Muhammad's wives. Ibn Abbas was a strong supporter of Ali, who was the fourth leader (caliph) of the Muslim community. He even became the governor of Basra for a time. He lived in Hejaz and often visited Damascus. He passed away in at-Ta'if around 687 CE.

Abdullah ibn Abbas was famous for his deep understanding of Islamic traditions and his thoughtful way of explaining the Qur'an. From a young age, he collected information from other companions of Muhammad and taught classes, also writing down his interpretations.

Who Was Abdullah ibn Abbas?

His Early Life and Family

Abdullah ibn Abbas was the third son of a wealthy merchant named Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib. This is why he was known as Ibn Abbas, meaning "the son of Abbas." His mother, Umm al-Fadl Lubaba, was proud to be one of the first women to become Muslim. She converted on the same day as Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, who was Muhammad's wife.

Ibn Abbas's father and Muhammad's father were both sons of Shaiba ibn Hashim, also known as ‘Abdu’l-Muṭṭalib. Shaiba bin Hashim was the ancestor of the Banu Hashim family, part of the Quraish tribe in Mecca.

Learning from Prophet Muhammad

Ibn Abbas was born in 619 or 620 CE. His mother took him to Muhammad when he was very young, and this started their close relationship.

As he grew up, Ibn Abbas often helped Muhammad. He would fetch water for ablution (wudu) and pray (salat) with Muhammad. He also joined Muhammad on his journeys and expeditions. It is said that Muhammad would often hug him, pat his shoulder, and pray, "O God! Teach him (the knowledge of) the Book (Qur'an)." Muhammad also prayed for him to gain wisdom in religion. Ibn Abbas continued to follow Muhammad, learning and memorizing his teachings from the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Muhammad's Last Days

In 631 CE, Muhammad became very ill. During this time, Ibn Abbas, who was about twelve years old, was the first person to share a famous story known as the Hadith of the pen and paper. A few days later, Abbas and Ali helped Muhammad walk because he was too weak to do so alone.

Continuing His Education

Ibn Abbas was thirteen years old when Muhammad passed away. After Muhammad's death, he continued to learn from Muhammad's companions (Sahaba), especially those who had known Muhammad the longest. He would ask many companions, sometimes up to thirty, to confirm a single story or teaching.

Once, he heard that a companion knew a hadith (a saying or action of Muhammad) that he didn't know. A hadith attributed to Abd Allah ibn Abbas reports:

A Great Teacher

Besides his own studies, Ibn Abbas was also a dedicated teacher. His house became like a university where he taught many students.

One of his students described what it was like outside his house:

I saw people converging on the roads leading to his house until there was hardly any room in front of his house. I went in and told him about the crowds of people at his door and he said: 'Get me water for wudu.'

He performed wudu and, seating himself, said: 'Go out and say to them: Whoever wants to ask about the Qur'an and its letters (pronunciation) let him enter.'

This I did and people entered until the house was filled. Whatever he was asked, Abdullah was able to elucidate and even provide additional information to what was asked. Then (to his students) he said: 'Make way for your brothers.'

Then to me he said: 'Go out and say: Who wants to ask about the Quran and its interpretation, let him enter'.

Again the house was filled and Abdullah elucidated and provided more information than what was requested.

He held different classes each day, focusing on one subject. These subjects included tafsir (Qur'an interpretation), fiqh (Islamic law), halal (allowed) and haraam (forbidden) matters, poetry, Arab history before Islam, inheritance laws, and the Arabic language.

Advising Leaders

Umar, who was the second caliph, often asked Ibn Abbas for advice on important matters of state. Umar described him as a "young man of maturity."

A hadith attributed to Abd Allah ibn Abbas Sahih reports:

The companion Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas said about him:

I have never seen someone who was quicker in understanding, who had more knowledge and greater wisdom than Ibn Abbas. I have seen Umar summon him to discuss difficult problems in the presence of veterans of Badr from among the Muhajirin and Ansar. Ibn Abbas would speak and Umar would not disregard what he had to say.

Helping During Conflicts

Ibn Abbas remained a loyal supporter of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph. He supported Ali during his conflict with Muawiyah, including at the Battle of Siffin. He was also appointed as the governor of Basra during Ali's time as Caliph.

A group of Ali's army, known as the Khawarij or Kharijites, were unhappy with a peace agreement. Ibn Abbas played a key role in convincing many of them to return to Ali. Some sources say he convinced 20,000 out of 24,000. He did this by using his knowledge of Muhammad's life, especially events like the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.

Sunnis believe that Ibn Abbas wanted Muslims to stay united and did not support revolting against rulers. He advised Husayn ibn Ali not to go on his journey to Kufa, which later led to the Battle of Karbala.

His Family

Ibn Abbas had seven children with a princess named Zahra bint Mishrah from Yemen:

• Al-Abbas, his first son.
• Ali ibn Abdullah (died 736), who was the grandfather of the first two Abbasid caliphs. The Abbasids later replaced the Umayyad rulers in 750 CE.
• Muhammad.
• Ubaydullah.
• Al-Fadl.
• Saad, who had two children.
• Lubaba, who married Ali ibn Abdullah ibn Jaafar and had children.

He also had another daughter named Asma with a concubine. She married her cousin Abdullah ibn Ubaydullah ibn Abbas and had two sons.

Important Sayings He Shared

Ibn Abbas shared many sayings (Hadith) from Prophet Muhammad. Here are a few:

• Ibn Abbas narrated that Muhammad said, "Two favors are treated unjustly by most people: health and free time." (from Sahih Bukhari, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah and al-Nasa'i)
• Ibn Abbas reported: Muhammad said, "He who does not memorize any part from the Qur'an, he is like the ruined house." (from Tirmidhi)
• On the authority of Ibn Abbas, who said, "One day I was behind (riding behind him on the same animal) the Prophet and he said to me: 'Young man, I shall teach you some words (of advice). Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried." (from Tirmidhi)
• Al Hakim records that Ibn Abbas narrated that Muhammad walked, carrying Hassan ibn Ali on his back. A man met him and said, 'What an excellent ride you have, lad!' Muhammad replied, 'And he is an excellent rider.'

His Lasting Impact

As Abdullah's knowledge grew, so did his importance. Masruq ibn al Ajda said about him:

Whenever I saw Ibn Abbas, I would say: He is the most handsome of men. When he spoke, I would say: He is the most eloquent of men. And when he held a conversation, I would say: He is the most knowledgeable of men."

Ibn Abbas is highly respected by both Shia and Sunni Muslims. The famous 1924 Cairo edition Quran used the order of chapters suggested by Ibn Abbas, which became widely accepted.

His Descendants

What People Thought of Him

Ibn Abbas believed that Tafsir (Qur'an interpretation) could be understood in four ways:

• What Arabs knew because of their language.
• Things that everyone should know.
• Things that only scholars understood.
• Things that only Allah (God) truly knew.

Sunni View

Sunni Muslims consider him the most knowledgeable of the Companions when it comes to tafsir. A book called Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas contains interpretations that are believed to come from him. Out of all the stories and sayings Ibn Abbas shared, 1660 were considered authentic by the authors of the two Sahihs.

Sunnis describe him like this:

... the courageous Abdullah showed that he preferred peace above war, and logic against force and violence. However, he was not only known for his courage, his perceptive thought and his vast knowledge. He was also known for his great generosity and hospitality. Some of his contemporaries said of his household: "We have not seen a house with more food or drink or fruit or knowledge than the house of Ibn Abbas."

He had a genuine and abiding concern for people. He was thoughtful and caring. He once said: "When I realize the importance of a verse of God's Book, I would wish that all people should know what I know.

"When I hear of a Muslim ruler who deals equitably and rules justly, I am happy on his account and I pray for him...

"When I hear of rains that fall on the land of Muslims, that fills me with happiness..."

Abdullah ibn Abbas was constant in his devotions. He kept voluntary fasts regularly and often stayed up at night in Prayer. He would weep while praying and reading the Quran. And when reciting verses dealing with death, resurrection and the life hereafter his voice would be heavy from deep sobbing.

Images for kids

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  Masjid Abdullah bin Abbas in Taif

See also

In Spanish: Ibn Abbás para niños