ՙAbd Allāh ibn al-ՙAbbās
ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-ʿAbbās was a prominent figure in early Islamic history, recognized as a cousin and companion of the Prophet Muḥammad. He played a significant role as an early interpreter of the Qurʾān, contributing to its exegesis and offering insights into Islamic teachings. Raised in a Muslim household by his mother, Ummuʾl-Fadl Lubābah, he became a trusted counselor to several caliphs, including ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb and ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib. Ibn al-ʿAbbās participated in various military campaigns and was involved in key events of the early Islamic community, such as the Battles of Camel and Ṣiffīn. Following the tumultuous period after the Prophet's death, he navigated complex political allegiances, showing loyalty to both ʿAlī and later the Umayyad dynasty. His contributions to the documentation of hadith and Islamic jurisprudence have made him a respected authority in Islamic scholarship. His legacy continues to influence contemporary interpretations of Islamic texts and historical narratives.
ՙAbd Allāh ibn al-ՙAbbās
Related civilizations: Islam, Arabia
Major role/position: Scholar, military leader
Life
ՙAbd Allāh ibn al-ՙAbbās (ahb-dool-AH-ihb-uhn-uhl-uhb-BAHS) was cousin and companion to the prophet Muḥammad and ancestor of the ՙAbbāsid Dynasty, as well as the first to interpret, or provide an exegesis of, the Qur՚n. His mother Ummu՚l-Fadl Lubabe, who had accepted Islam, brought him up Muslim.
He was a counselor to ՙUmar ibn al-Khaṭtāb, ՙUthmān ibn ՙAffān, and ՙAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib and accompanied the armies sent into Egypt (639-642 c.e.), Ifrīqiya (647 c.e.), Ṭabaristān (650-651 c.e.), and Istanbul (668 c.e.). ՙUthmān, just before his assassination, appointed Ibn ՙAbbās to conduct the pilgrimage to Mecca (656 c.e.). He participated in the Battles of Camel (656 c.e.) and Ṣiffīn (657 c.e.). ՙAlī appointed him as governor to Basra, but as their relation became severe, he left for Mecca (658-659 c.e.).
After the death in 680 c.e. of Muՙāwiyah I (the first leader of Islam after the legitimate caliphs and founder of the Umayyad Dynasty), he paid homage to his son Yazīd I. He tried to talk Ḥusayn, Muḥammad’s grandson, into not going to Al-Kufa, for he believed that its inhabitants were not sincere, and he felt a grave sorrow when he learned of his assassination at Karbalā՚. He left Mecca and went to aṭ-Ṭ՚if because he was not pleased that ՙAbd Allāh ibn az-Zubayr had made Haremi Sherif his quarter, which resulted in sieges in both 683 and 692 c.e.
Influence
Ibn ՙAbbās is renowned for his early interpretation of the Qur՚n and for documenting the story of Muḥammad and his companions. He was a leading transmitter of hadith, an authority on fikh and fetwas (opinion on legal matters), and the source of inspiration for many scholarly studies.
Bibliography
Armstrong, Karen. The Battle for God. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.
The Encyclopaedia of Islam. Prepared by a number of leading orientalists; edited by an editorial committee consisting of H. A. R. Gibb et al. under the patronage of the International Union of Academies. New ed. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 1960-[2000].
Esposito, John, ed. The Oxford History of Islam. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Holt, P., ed. The Cambridge History of Islam. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1980.
Walker, George Benjamin. Foundations of Islam: The Making of a World Faith. London: Peter Owen, 1998.