Q 1: Did Abu Talib die as a believer or a disbeliever?

A: Abu Talib ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim died as a disbeliever, for Allah (Exalted be He) says to His Messenger (peace be upon him) concerning Abu Talib (what means): Verily you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) guide not whom you like Also, Allah (Exalted be He) warned His Messenger (peace be upon him) against asking Him to forgive Abu Talib saying: It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allâh’s Forgiveness for the Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh), even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief). It is authentically narrated in the two Sahih Books (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went to his uncle Abu Talib when he was dying, but he found with him `Abdullah ibn Abu Umayyah and Abu Jahl (‘Amr ibn Hisham). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him: (Part No. 1; Page No. 490)  “O my uncle! Say, ‘La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah),’ a word with which I can defend you before Allah”. On that Abu Jahl and Abdullah ibn Abu Umayyah said, “O Abu Talib! Will you desert the religion of `Abdul-Muttalib?" The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) kept repeating his proposition and the two men kept on turning him back (to disbelief) with that statement until Abu Talib said as the last thing he said to them, “I am on the religion of `Abdul-Muttalib." and refused to say, “La ilaha illa Allah.” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “By Allah, I will keep on asking forgiveness for you, unless I am forbidden (by Allah) from (asking forgiveness for) you.” Allah then sent down the following revelation: It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allâh’s Forgiveness for the Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh), even though they be of kin Allah (Exalted be He) also revealed: Verily you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) guide not whom you like, but Allâh guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are the guided. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.