Son of Abu Talib
Aqil was a son of Abu Talib — elder brother of Ali and Ja’far. When famine struck the Quraysh and the Prophet ﷺ took Ali into his care, while al-Abbas took Ja’far, Abu Talib pleaded: “Do as you please — but leave Aqil for me.” 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 277 — Kandhlawi — Abu Talib keeps Aqil with him during the famine while Ali and Ja'far go to the Prophet and Abbas.
Captured at Badr
Among the Quraysh at Badr, Aqil was taken prisoner. His uncle Abbas paid the ransom both for himself and for Aqil. Umar is reported to have proposed his nephew Ali execute him, but the Prophet ﷺ would not allow it. 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 2 · pp. 239, 335–336 — Kandhlawi — Abbas ransoms Aqil at Badr; Umar's proposal that Ali execute him. He embraced Islam later, and lived through the strife of Ali’s caliphate.
Life Timeline
Born in Makkah
Of Banu Hashim; son of Abu Talib.
Stays with his father Abu Talib
While Ali went to the Prophet ﷺ and Ja'far to Abbas.
Captured at Badr — ransomed by Abbas
References
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Abbas pays Aqil's ransom after Badr; Umar's proposal that Ali execute him Vol 2 · pp. 239, 335–336
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Abu Talib sends Aqil to fetch the Prophet ﷺ; the Prophet's reply Vol 1 · pp. 277