Professor Cole,
I think you need to research regarding Abu Talib "he remained loyal to the goddesses and did not convert". This allegation is not accepted by many sunni scholars and by all shia's who believe he was muslim. Further it makes no logical sense that the man who defended the Prophet his entire life, and protected him with not only with his own life, but his children as well, be associated with such a statement.
Professor Cole,
I think you need to research regarding Abu Talib "he remained loyal to the goddesses and did not convert". This allegation is not accepted by many sunni scholars and by all shia's who believe he was muslim. Further it makes no logical sense that the man who defended the Prophet his entire life, and protected him with not only with his own life, but his children as well, be associated with such a statement.