Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: When the time of death of Abu Talib approached, the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, "Say La ilaha illallah (there is no god but Allah), I will intercede for you on the Day of Resurrection because of it." So Abu Talib said, "O my nephew, if I did not fear that the Quraysh would reproach me, I would cool your eyes with this statement." (The narrator says:) Regarding this, the following verse was revealed: "Indeed, you do not guide whom you love."

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: He heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when his uncle Abu Talib was mentioned in his presence, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: He will receive my intercession, as a result of which the fire will reach up to his ankles, but because of it his brain will be boiling (i.e., the fire will not reach the rest of his body).