# Abd al-Muttalib > Chief Leader of the Quraysh and grandfather of Muhammad (c.497–578) **Wikidata**: [Q380479](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q380479) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abd_al-Muttalib) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/abd-al-muttalib ## Summary Abd al-Muttalib (c.497–578), also known as Shaybah ibn Hāshim, was the Chief Leader of the Quraysh tribe and the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad. He was a prominent merchant and poet in pre-Islamic Arabia, recognized for his leadership of the Quraysh in Mecca. ## Biography - **Born:** c.497 CE - **Died:** c.578 CE (some sources record 579 CE) - **Also known as:** Abdulmuttalib, Shaybat al-Ḥamd, Shaybah ibn Hāshim, Shaybah, عبد المُطَّلب - **Known for:** Serving as Chief Leader of the Quraysh; grandfather of Muhammad - **Occupations:** Merchant, poet - **Field:** Trade and commerce; poetry ## Contributions Abd al-Muttalib held the position of Chief Leader of the Quraysh, the dominant tribe of Mecca responsible for custodianship of the Kaaba. As a merchant, he engaged in the trading of commodities produced by others, operating within the commercial networks of sixth-century Arabia. His role as both a tribal leader and businessman positioned the Quraysh as a powerful economic and political force in the region. He is also recognized as a poet, contributing to the oral literary tradition of pre-Islamic Arabian culture. ## FAQs **Who was Abd al-Muttalib?** Abd al-Muttalib was the Chief Leader of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca and the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad, active in the late sixth century CE. **What were Abd al-Muttalib's occupations?** He was a merchant who traded in commodities and a poet who wrote poetry, alongside his primary role as a tribal leader. **What names was Abd al-Muttalib known by?** He was known by several names, including Abdulmuttalib, Shaybat al-Ḥamd, Shaybah ibn Hāshim, and simply Shaybah. His Arabic name is عبد المُطَّلب. **What family connection does Abd al-Muttalib have to Muhammad?** He was the grandfather of Muhammad and the father-in-law of Amina (Muhammad's mother), as depicted in historical illustrated manuscripts such as the Siyer-i Nebi. **How long did Abd al-Muttalib live?** He was born around 497 CE and died approximately in 578 CE, living roughly 81 years according to most sources. ## Why They Matter Abd al-Muttalib's historical significance stems from his position as the patriarch of the Banu Hāshim clan within the Quraysh and as the grandfather of Muhammad. His leadership of the Quraysh established the tribal and social context into which Muhammad was born. As Chief Leader, he oversaw the religious and commercial affairs of Mecca during a formative period preceding the rise of Islam. His lineage — traced as Shaybah ibn Hāshim — gave its name to the Hāshimite clan, which remains a historically important family in the Islamic world. His dual identity as both a merchant and poet reflects the cultural richness of pre-Islamic Arabian society, and his stewardship helped maintain Mecca's status as a central hub of trade and pilgrimage in the Arabian Peninsula. ## Notable For - Chief Leader (Sayed) of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca - Grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad - Patriarch of the Banu Hāshim (Hāshimite) clan, identified by the patronymic "Ibn Hāshim" - Active as a merchant in pre-Islamic Arabian trade networks - Recognized as a poet in the Arabic oral tradition - Father-in-law to Amina bint Wahb, Muhammad's mother - Subject of illustrated manuscripts, including depictions in the Siyer-i Nebi - Recorded across numerous international authority files, including VIAF (283644619), GND (1174616881), Library of Congress (nr93015342), and ISNI (0000000390099456) ## Body ### Early Life and Names Abd al-Muttalib was born around 497 CE. He carried the given name Shaybah, and is historically referred to as Shaybah ibn Hāshim, identifying him as a descendant of Hāshim. His alternative names include Shaybat al-Ḥamd, a title of honor. The name Abd al-Muttalib became his primary designation, rendered in Arabic as عبد المُطَّلب and sometimes transliterated as Abdulmuttalib. ### Leadership of the Quraysh Abd al-Muttalib rose to become the Chief Leader of the Quraysh, the ruling tribe of Mecca. The Quraysh held custodianship of the Kaaba and governed the city's commercial and religious affairs. His leadership role placed him at the center of Meccan political life during the late sixth century, a period of significant tribal activity and trade expansion in the region. ### Commercial Activity As a merchant, Abd al-Muttalib engaged in the trading of commodities produced by others. This profession aligned with the broader economic character of the Quraysh, who were known for organizing and profiting from merchant caravans that traveled throughout Arabia and beyond. ### Poetic Tradition Abd al-Muttalib is also identified as a poet. In pre-Islamic Arabian culture, poetry was a highly valued art form serving as a means of preserving history, asserting tribal pride, and exercising influence. His recognition as a poet places him within this rich oral tradition. ### Family and Lineage Abd al-Muttalib's most historically consequential role is as the grandfather of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. He was the father-in-law of Amina bint Wahb, Muhammad's mother. This relationship is documented and depicted in historical illustrated texts, notably the Siyer-i Nebi, which contains a scene of Amina showing Muhammad to her father-in-law Abd al-Muttalib. His genealogical identifier "Ibn Hāshim-2" links him directly to the Hāshimite lineage, which became foundational to Islamic dynastic history. ### Death and Legacy Abd al-Muttalib died around 578 CE, with some sources recording the year as 579 CE. He lived approximately 81 years. His death occurred when Muhammad was a young child, having already lost his mother Amina. Muhammad was subsequently placed in the care of his grandfather's household before being taken in by his uncle Abu Talib. ### Records and Identifiers Abd al-Muttalib is extensively catalogued in international bibliographic and authority systems. His records include VIAF identifier 283644619, GND identifier 1174616881, Library of Congress control number nr93015342, ISNI 0000000390099456, and numerous other identifiers across genealogical, biographical, and academic databases. He is referenced in at least 51 sitelinks across knowledge platforms and is the subject of multiple biographical entries and scholarly catalogues, including identifiers in the Simone database system (SIM-0110, SIM-0118, SIM-0156, SIM-0062). Visual representations of Abd al-Muttalib exist in illustrated manuscripts and digital archives, including the Siyer-i Nebi and an image file catalogued as Abd al-Muttalib.png. ## References 1. Source 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/abdulmuttalib)