Abdullah was the son of Abbas RA, an uncle of the noble Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. He was born just three years before the Hijra. When the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam died, Abdullah was thus only thirteen years old. When he was born, his mother took him to the blessed Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam who put some of his saliva on the baby’s tongue even before he began to suckle. This was the beginning of the close and intimate tie between Abbas RA and the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam that was to be part of a life-long love and devotion.

When Abdullah reached the age of discretion, he attached himself to the service of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. He would run to fetch water for him when he wanted to make Wudhu. During Salaah, he would stand behind the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam in prayer and when the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam went on journeys or expeditions, he would follow next in line to him. Abdullah thus became like the shadow of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, constantly in his company.

It is said that he committed to memory about one thousand, six hundred and sixty sayings of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam which are recorded and authenticated in the collections of al-Bukhari and Muslim. During the lifetime of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, Abdullah RA would not miss any of his assemblies and he would commit to memory whatever he said. After the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam passed away, he would take care to go to as many companions as possible especially those who knew the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam longer and learn from them what the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam had taught them. Whenever he heard that someone knew a Hadith of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam which he did not know he would go quickly to him and record it. He would subject whatever he heard to close scrutiny and check it against other reports. He would go to as many as thirty companions to verify a single matter.

It was not only in the collection of Hadith that Abdullah RA specialized. He devoted himself to acquiring knowledge in a wide variety of fields. He had a special admiration for persons like Zayd ibn Thabit RA, the recorder of the revelation; the leading judge and jurist consult in Madinah, an expert in the laws of inheritance and in reading the Quran. When Zayd RA intended to go on a trip, the young Abdullah would stand humbly at his side and taking hold of the reins of his mount would adopt the attitude of a humble servant in the presence of his master. Zayd RA would say to him: “Don’t, O cousin of the Prophet.” “Thus we were commanded to treat the learned ones among us,” Abdullah RA would say. “And Zayd would say to him in turn: “Let me see your hand.” Abdullah RA would stretch out his hand. Zayd, taking it, would kiss it and say: “Thus we were commanded to treat the members of the household of the Prophet.”

The Khalîfah Umar ibn al-Khattab RA often sought his advice on important matters of state and described him as “the young man of maturity”. Abdullah ibn Abbas RA brought to his teaching a powerful memory and a formidable intellect. His explanations were precise, clear and logical. His arguments were persuasive and supported by pertinent textual evidence and historical facts. He had a genuine and abiding concern for people. He was thoughtful and caring. He once said: “When I realize the importance of a verse of God’s Book, I would wish that all people should know what I know.

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA was constant in his devotions. He kept voluntary fasts regularly and often stayed up at night in Prayer. He would weep while praying and reading the Quran. And when reciting verses dealing with death, resurrection and the life hereafter his voice would be heavy from deep sobbing. He passed away at the age of seventy one in the mountainous city of Taif.