The Meaning of “Son of Abdel Muttalib”(Ma’na “Ibn Abdel Muttalib”)

Praise be that suffices belongs to Allah…Peace be upon His selected servants and upon their master and chosen Prophet: Muhammad and his family…
Verily, the messenger of Allah –SAA’S- Was granted ‘Comprehensiveness of Speech’ (Jawami’ Al-Kalim), i.e., short phrases that carry multiple meanings.
An example of his speech is what he said in “the day of the Trench” (Yawom El-khandak) , while he was carrying sand and kicking with a pickax with his companions. He –SAA’S- said “ I am the prophet no doubt, I am son of Abdel Muttalib”.  Scholars have issued many opinions regarding this utterance. One of these opinions considers that the messenger of Allah –SAA’S- was taking pride in his noble lineage. But the messenger –SAA’ will not take pride or vie with disbelievers. This led some scholars to conclude that Abdel Muttalib – the grandfather of Allah’s messenger was a believer. These scholars added another proof of Abdel Muttalib’s belief drawn from the incident of the elephant. When Abraha Al-Ashram brought his army led by a huge elephant –in the day of the elephant- to destroy the Ka’ba, he asked Abdel Muttalib if he had come to defend the Sacred House, but Abdel Muttalib answered that he came to take back his camels as they belonged to him, but the House (of Allah) has a Lord who protects it.

Consequently, some scholars see that the saying of the prophet –SAA’S- “I am the son of Abdel- Muttalib” is a proof of his belief, which makes sense.
An additional meaning is also mentioned by the well knowledgeable scholars. They say that the messenger of Allah –SAA’S- said “I am the prophet no doubt – who has been truthfully sent by Allah”, and “I am the son of Abdel Muttalib- the man you already know therefore, I am not a son of Allah –SWT”. This was vindication of what the Jews claimed that U’zair was the son of Allah.  Christians followed suit and claimed that our master Isa was the son of Allah. The following is a translation from the Quran: “The Jews call U’zair a son of God, and the Christians call Christ the son of God. That is a saying from their mouths; (In this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be on them; how they are deluded away from the Truth!) Al-Tawba: 30.
My dear reader, wouldn’t you agree with me that the last meaning is valid and can be implied from the prophet’s saying –SAA’S? Should we get it right; we earn two credits and if we get it wrong; we earn one credit. It’s Allah whom we seek and He guides whoever He wishes to the right path.
There’s no measure or might except with Allah; the Most High, the Most Magnificent.

Original Arabic text in Al-Behira Wal-Akalim Journal- Issue # 246