Al-Abbas b. Abd Al-Muttalib

He was a merchant and financier, more prosperous than his half-brother Abu Talib, who, in return for the extinction of a debt, surrendered to him the office of providing pilgrims to Mecca with water (sikdya) and perhaps also with food (rifdda). Though he owned a garden in al- Ta'if, he was not so wealthy as the leading men of the clans of 'Abd Shams and Makhzum.

There is no clear evidence of any rapprochement between him and Muhammad until 7/629 when he gave in marriage to Muhammad Maymuna, the uterine sister of his wife, Umm al-Fadl Lubaba. Stories purporting to show that prior to this he supported Muhammad are suspect. Thus he is said to have acted as protector of Muhammad at the Assembly of 'Akaba, and, while it is conceivable that he protected him during his last year or two in Mecca, there is no evidence that the clan of Hashim revoked Abu Lahab's refusal to give protection. Al-'Abbas fought against the Muslims at Badr, was taken prisoner and then released, though whether with or without a ransom is disputed. He joined Muhammad as he was marching on Mecca in 8/630, but his conversion was less influential than that of Abu Sufyari.

Muhammad welcomed him, and after the submission of Mecca confirmed in his family the inherited office of the sikdya. He is said to have acted bravely at Hunayn, and by his stentorian shout to have turned the tide of battle. He settled at Medina. Though one of those who contributed to the finances of the expedition to Tabuk, he possibly did not campaign in Syria, as is sometimes said. He was not on good terms with 'Umar, but made a gift of his house for 'Umar's extension of the mosque in Medina. Muhammad is said to have given him an annuity from the produce of Khaybar, and 'Umar, in revising the pension roll, made him the equal of the men of Badr; but he was never given any administrative post.

He died about 32/653 aged about 88.