Abdullah bin Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (rtam) was the cousin of the Prophet (sa). Al-Abbas (rtam), Abdullah’s father, used to take care of the Prophet (sa) after the death of Abu Talib. His mother Ummul-Fadl Lubabah bint Al-Harith (rtaf) was the second woman to embrace Islam after Khadijah (rtaf). It was said of Abdullah (rtam) that he was Al-Habr Wal-Bahr (the learned man and the sea [of knowledge]), and he was known as Ibn Abbas (rtam).
Ibn Abbas (rtam) was only thirteen when the Prophet (sa) passed away. From a young age, Ibn Abbas (rtam) was known for his love of knowledge and persistence in attaining it. Throughout his childhood, he followed the footsteps of the Messenger (sa), learned all he could see and hear and asked questions about everything that was unclear to him. He used to accompany the Prophet (sa) everywhere, almost never leaving him, whether he was at home or on a journey, in Masjid, at home and in the meeting places of the companions. Ibn Abbas (rtam) had such detailed knowledge about the circumstances of the revelation of the Quran that Umar (rtam) used to say:
“That is a boy of great maturity; he has an inquisitive tongue and an understanding heart.”
As a boy, Ibn Abbas (rtam) had the great honour of seeing angel Jibreel with his own eyes. On that occasion, he was together with his father and the Prophet (sa). He saw the Prophet (sa) turning aside from his father to converse with somebody in private. Later, he found out that his father had not seen that stranger, whom the Prophet (sa) confirmed to be Jibreel.
The Prophet (sa) himself used to supplicate to Allah (swt) to grant Ibn Abbas (rtam) the understanding of Quranic interpretation and comprehension of religion. Today, we remember him as an incomparable scholar of Islam. So vast was his knowledge that he was called Habr Al-Ummah (the learned man of the nation).
Adapted from “Child Companions around the Prophet (sa)” published by “Darussalam”.
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