The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
When the Quraish lost hope in Abu Taalib supporting them, they began to show open opposition and enmity for the Muslims. They started inflicting different punishments on the weak and vulnerable Muslims of the various tribes.
Abu Taalib then called on the Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib to support and assist Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Upon the call of Abu Taalib, all the members of the Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib responded and promised their assistance. From the Banu Haashim, it was only Abu Lahab who joined the enemy against Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 2/47)
Abu Lahab was the uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), but he was the arch-enemy of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and left no stone unturned in the effort to oppose Islam. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would go to the people to speak to them and invite them towards Allah Ta‘ala, Abu Lahab would follow him, and try to turn people against him so that they do not follow him.
Rabee’ah bin Ibaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), a Sahaabi from the Banu Dail clan, mentions the following incident which he observed in the early days of Islam, before becoming a Muslim. He says:
I once saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the market of Zul Majaaz inviting people towards Islam saying:
يا أيها الناس قولوا لا إله إلا الله تفلحوا
O people! Say “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” and you will be successful!
While he was inviting people towards Islam, I saw a squint-eyed man walking behind him and calling out to the people, “This man has renounced the religion of his forefathers and he is a liar!” When I asked the people who this man was, they informed me that he was the uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Abu Lahab. (Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 3/40)
According to another narration from Rabee’ah bin Ibaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was calling the people in the market of Zul Majaaz saying:
يا أيها الناس إن الله يأمركم أن تعبدوه ولا تشركوا به شيئا
O people! Allah commands you to worship Him and to abstain from ascribing any partner unto him!
While Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was inviting the people towards Islam, Abu Lahab was walking behind him and calling out:
أيها الناس لا يغرنكم هذا عن دينكم ودين آبائكم
O people! Do not let this man deceive and trick you into leaving your religion and the religion of your forefathers! (Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 3/40)
