The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is full of remarkable family relationships that influenced the early days of Islam. One such group of close relatives is his uncles, known for their varying roles. Some accepted Islam and supported his mission wholeheartedly, some opposed his message, and some just supported him but didn’t accept Islam openly. So, how many uncles did Prophet Muhammad have?
Let’s explore the names of the Prophet Muhammad’s uncles, who among them accepted Islam, who did not, and answer the most frequently asked questions in detail.
How Many Uncles of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Were There?
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had 10 paternal uncles, the sons of his grandfather Abdul Muttalib (Hashimite clan of the Quraysh tribe). Some historians mention 11 uncles, but the most accepted number is 10, as per authentic biographical sources.
List of the Uncles of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
- Al-Harith ibn Abdul Muttalib.
- Zubayr ibn Abdul Muttalib.
- Abu Talib (ʿAbd Manaf).
- Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib.
- Abu Lahab (ʿAbd al-ʿUzza).
- Al-‘Abbās ibn Abdul Muttalib.
- Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith.
- Al-Muqawwim ibn Abdul Muttalib.
- Ḥajl (or Ḥajal) ibn Abdul Muttalib.
- Dhirār ibn Abdul Muttalib.
These are the Prophet’s uncles (in Arabic: أعمام النبي ﷺ), and among them, only a few played significant roles in Islamic history.
Uncles of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Who Accepted Islam
Among the ten uncles of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, only two are confirmed to have accepted Islam and supported the Prophet ﷺ in his mission:
1. Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib (حمزة بن عبد المطلب)
- Title: Asadullah (The Lion of Allah).
- Status: Among the earliest converts to Islam and a brave warrior.
- Martyrdom: He was martyred in the Battle of Uhud.
2. Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib (العباس بن عبد المطلب)
- Initially, he delayed his conversion but accepted Islam before the conquest of Makkah.
- He became a trusted companion of the Prophet ﷺ.
- His descendants are known as the Abbasid Caliphs.
Uncles Who Did Not Accept Islam
Several uncles rejected the message of Islam despite their closeness to the Prophet ﷺ:
1. Abu Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib (أبو طالب بن عبد المطلب)
- He supported the Prophet ﷺ politically and emotionally but never embraced Islam.
- His death deeply saddened the Prophet ﷺ.
- The Prophet was about 50 years old when Abu Talib died (in the 10th year of Prophethood, around 619 CE).
2. Abu Lahab (عبد العزى بن عبد المطلب)
- The staunchest enemy among the Prophet’s uncles.
- The Qur’an condemns him in Surah Al-Masad:
تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
“Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!”
(Surah Al-Masad 111:1)
FAQs about the Prophet Muhammad’s Uncles
Q1. Who are the 4 uncles of the Prophet?
The four most frequently mentioned uncles are:
Abu Talib – Caretaker and supporter, but did not accept Islam.
Hamza – Brave Muslim and martyr.
Abbas – Converted to Islam later, supporter of the Prophet.
Abu Lahab – Fierce enemy of Islam.
Q2. Is Abu Sufyan an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
No, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb was a leader of the Quraysh and a political opponent who later converted to Islam. However, Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith, a cousin of the Prophet, is sometimes confused in this regard. He is not his uncle.
Q3. Which uncle of the Prophet did not accept Islam?
Abu Talib supported him but died without embracing Islam.
Abu Lahab openly rejected and mocked the Prophet ﷺ.
Q4. How old was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when Abu Talib died?
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was around 50 years old when Abu Talib passed away in the Year of Sorrow (Aam al-Huzn).
Q5. Who is Hamza to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib was the Prophet’s paternal uncle and also his foster brother through a shared wet nurse. He was a valiant Muslim warrior and was martyred in the Battle of Uhud.
Q6. Is Abu Jahl an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
No, Abu Jahl (Amr ibn Hisham) was not an uncle of the Prophet ﷺ. He was a tribal leader from the Banu Makhzum clan, part of the Quraysh tribe, and a fierce enemy of Islam. He earned the title “Abu Jahl” meaning “Father of Ignorance” due to his arrogance and hostility toward the Prophet ﷺ.
