Baheeqi in Dalael un-Nubuwwah; Tafsir Khazin Baghdadi; Suyooti in Jam’ul Jawame’; Alauddin Ali in Kanzul-Ummal; Ibn Jurair Tabari in Tareekhur-Rusul wal Mulook; Tareekh of Kamil ibn Atheer; Tareekh of Abul Fida, etc. all narrate from Ali ibne Abi Talib:
When the Ayat, “wa unzur ‘asheeratakal aqrabeen…” was revealed, Rasoolallah called me and said that Allah had ordered him to invite his relatives towards Islam. He ordered me to get a measure of rice, a leg of goat and a big jug of milk and to gather the tribe of Abdul Muttalib together. I followed Rasool’s orders and about 40 men gathered, including Abu Talib, Hamza, Abbas and Abu Lahab. Rasool served the food, which was enough for one man but all the 40 men ate to their fill. Then Rasool tried to address them but Abu Lahab said that his nephew (i.e. Rasoolallah) had performed magic. Then everyone scattered and Rasool did not get a chance to speak. At the order of Rasool, I gathered the tribe of Abdul Muttalib once again the next day. I complied, and after food, Rasool addressed the gathering and said: O Bani Abdul Muttalib, I have brought to you the good of this world and the hereafter. Allah has appointed me to call you to Him, so who will be my assistant in this affair and be my brother, my vicegerent and successor? No one answered but in spite of my meagre years, I said: O Messenger of Allah, I am here to assist you in this task. Rasool put his hand affectionately on my neck and (addressing the others) said: Among you, he is my brother, my vicegerent and my successor. Hearing this, everyone got up laughing and said to Abu Talib: Here, you have been ordered to obey Ali.
ahlulbayth 