Since Abu Taalib was the full brother of Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) respected father, Hazrat ‘Abdullah, ‘Abdul Muttalib handed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) into the care of Abu Taalib when he was passing away, and made a bequest urging him to raise him and care for him with the greatest affection and love.

Hazrat Umme Ayman (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “When ‘Abdul Muttalib’s funeral bier was lifted, I saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) walking behind it while weeping.”

Once, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was asked whether he could recall the death of ‘Abdul Muttalib. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “I was eight years old at that time.”

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/87)