Acceptance of Hamzah (ra) — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Acceptance of Hamzah (ra).
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: VII-Days of Struggle
Pages: Book pp. 217–219 (PDF pp. 241–243)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Departure of Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) with the Intention of Migration] | Next: [Acceptance of ‘Umar (ra)] »
Historical Account
from hunting, a female servant said to him, “Have you heard that Abul-Ḥakam [that is Abū Jahl] just went on to say awful things to thy nephew, and cursed at him in filthy and profane language, but Muḥammad[sa] did not react at all.” Upon hearing this, Ḥamzah’sra eyes gorged of blood in rage and his family honour was infuriated. He immediately started off towards the Ka‘bah, and first performed circuits of the Ka‘bah. After this Ṭawāf, he moved towards the gathering in which Abū Jahl was sitting. Upon reaching there, he firmly struck Abū Jahl’s head with his bow and said, “I have heard that you cursed at Muḥammad[sa]. Then listen, I too follow the religion of Muḥammad[sa] and I also say what he says. Hence, if you possess even a little courage, speak before me!” The associates of Abū Jahl rose in his support and a brawl almost erupted, but Abū Jahl who was struck in awe of the bravery and courage of Ḥamzahra stopped his associates saying, “Ḥamzah[ra] is true, I did in fact act unjustly,” and in this way the matter was settled.
In his outburst Ḥamzahra said that, “I am also upon the religion of Muḥammad[sa]” but when he returned home and his anger subsided, he was somewhat apprehensive and began to ponder over the best course of action. Ultimately, his heart decided that now it is best to forsake polytheism. Consequently, he came to the Holy Prophetsa, recited the Kalimah and entered the fold of Islām. This incident is from the sixth year of prophethood, when the Holy Prophetsa was still situated in Dār-e-Arqam. In happiness of Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzah’sra acceptance of Islām, or perhaps in the ardour of his sincerity, Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra openly announced the unity of God, in the courtyard of the Ka‘bah the same day Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzahra accepted Islām. At that time, the Holy Prophetsa and various other Muslims were also present. When the Quraish witnessed the boldness of Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra they attacked him. They beat him so mercilessly that when the people of his tribe helped him up and took him home, he was completely unconscious. Due to the severe beating, his body was seriously injured. When he regained consciousness, his first question was, “How is the Holy Prophetsa” and until Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra received word of his security,
[Ar-Rauḍul-Anf, By Imām Abul-Qāsim ‘Abdur-Raḥmān Suhailī, Volume 2, pp. 44-45, Bābu Islāmi Ḥamzahra, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)]
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Muḥammad bin ‘Abdul-Bāqī Az- Zarqānī, Volume 2, p. 3, Bābu Islāmil-Fārūq, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebehon, First Edition (1996)]
he did not feel at ease.
[Tārīkhul-Khamīs, By Ḥusain bin Muḥammad bin Ḥasan Dayār Bakrī, Volume 1, p. 294, Dhikru Islāmi Ḥamzah, Muwassasatu Sha‘bān, Beirut]
Acceptance of ‘Umarra
Only a few days had passed after the acceptance of Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzahra, when Allāh the Exalted blessed the Muslims with another instance of happiness, in other words, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra who was a vehement enemy, accepted Islām. The story of his acceptance is very interesting. The disposition of Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra enclosed a kind of stiffness which was further increased by his enmity towards Islām. Therefore, prior to his acceptance of Islām, ‘Umarra subjected poor and weak Muslims to great torture on account of their Islām. But when he was exhausted of inflicting this agony, and saw no signs of their return, he thought, why not finish the founder of this very ‘disease’. Upon this thought, he took hold of his sword and set out in search of the Holy Prophetsa. On the way, when someone noticed him walking with an unsheathed sword in hand, he inquired, “O ‘Umar[ra], where to?” ‘Umarra responded, “I have set off to slay Muḥammad[sa].” He replied, “By slaying Muḥammad[sa] can you remain safe from the Banū ‘Abdi Manāf? Why not then look after your own home first? Your sister and brother-in-law have accepted Islām.” Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra immediately turned and started off towards the home of his sister Fāṭimahra. As he approached the home, he could hear the sound of the recitation of the Holy Qur’ān from inside, which Khabbāb bin Al-Arat was reciting very melodiously. When ‘Umarra heard this voice, he was further enraged and entered the home. As soon as Khabbābra heard his footsteps, he hid somewhere, and Fāṭimahra also hid the various pages of the Holy Qur’ān here and there. When Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra entered, he shouted, “I heard that you have left your faith!” Then, he attacked his brother-inlaw Sa‘īd bin Zaidra. Fāṭimahra was also wounded as she moved forward, in an attempt to save her husband, and very courageously said, “Yes ‘Umar! We have become Muslim. Do as you wish, we shall not leave Islām.” Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra was a very stern man, but beneath this veil of stiffness was also a touch of love and tenderness, which showed its colours at certain occasions. When he heard the courageous words of his sister, he cast a glance upon her and noticed that she was covered in blood. This sight had an inexplicable impression upon the
[This instance should be remembered, because through it we find that even from the early era, the Holy Prophetsa had the Holy Qur’ān written along the way and these manuscripts were preserved by numerous companions of the Holy Prophetsa. (Author)]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: VII-Days of Struggle | Navigation: « Previous: [Departure of Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) with the Intention of Migration] | Next: [Acceptance of ‘Umar (ra)] »