Talib ibn Abi Talib

Ṭālib ibn Abī Ṭālib (طَالِب بْن أَبِي طَالِب) was a first cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a brother of Ali.

Family
He was born in Mecca, the eldest son of Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib and of Fatimah bint Asad. The young Muhammad lived in their house from the time he and Talib were both eight years old.

He had no offspring.

Inheritance Law
When his father Abu Talib died in 620, his inheritance was divided between Talib and his brother Aqil. Their two younger brothers, Ja'far and Ali, did not inherit anything. This established the Islamic legal principle: "No believer will inherit an infidel's property, and no infidel will inherit the property of a believer."

Battle of Badr
In 624 Talib set out with the Meccan army to rescue the merchant-caravan that was threatened with a Muslim attack. When word came from Abu Sufyan that the caravan had arrived safely home so there was no need to continue the march, some of the Quraysh nevertheless wanted to continue as far as Badr. They said to Talib: "We know, O Son of Hashim, that if you have come out with us, your heart is with Muhammad." A poem about his decision to return to Mecca is attributed to him.

O God, if Talib goes forth to war unwillingly with one of these squadrons, Let him be the plundered not the plunderer, the vanquished not the victor.