Saying · Return from the first Abyssinian emigration
Of course, I will protect you.
Said to Abu Salama RA, his nephew through his sister, after Abu Salama sought his protection following the return from Abyssinia.
~Around the time of the return from the first Abyssinian emigration · 7 BH
Abu Salama RA was the husband of Umm Salama RA. He was also a cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, since his mother was a sister of the Prophet ﷺ's father, Abdullah. Abu Salama belonged to Banu Makhzum, the clan of Abu Jahal. On returning to Makkah, he asked for protection from his maternal uncle, Abu Talib, who agreed.
Abu Jahal was angry and sent people to object. Abu Talib replied that if he could protect one nephew, he could protect the other. An argument broke out. Then help came from an unexpected source. Abu Lahab stood up for his brother Abu Talib. He told Abu Jahal to stop troubling the old man, or he would take his brother's side. Abu Jahal backed down.
A case of Allah supporting the Muslims' safety even through a disbeliever's tribal loyalty, which the Prophet ﷺ later cited generally: "Verily, Allah supports this religion [even] with a disbelieving man."
Other events recorded in 7 BH. Their order within the year is not established; use the storyline above for the sequence.
Of course, I will protect you.
Said to Abu Salama RA, his nephew through his sister, after Abu Salama sought his protection following the return from Abyssinia.
If I am going to give protection to one nephew, why can I not give protection to the other nephew?
Said to Abu Jahal's people, who objected to Abu Talib sheltering Abu Salama RA alongside Muhammad ﷺ.
Have you not irritated this old man enough? Let him be. For by Allah, if you are going to continue, I will have to force my side and I will choose him.
Abu Lahab defending his brother Abu Talib against Abu Jahal, out of tribal loyalty rather than religious sympathy.
إن الله ليؤيد هذا الدين بالرجل الكافر
Verily, Allah supports this religion [even] with a disbelieving man.
Said years later in Madinah, recalling how Allah had supported the Muslims even through Abu Lahab's tribal defense of Abu Talib's protection of Abu Salama RA.