Today we're talking about Hamza ibn abd al muttalib, a man of unrivalled courage and bravery. This companion of the Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, nicknamed the Lion of Allah, stood out both for his special status in relation to our beloved Prophet, and for his great qualities. Here's a closer look at the life of this companion, may Allah be pleased with him.
Who was Hamza ibn abd al muttalib?
Hamza ibn abd al muttalib was none other than the Prophet ﷺ 's paternal uncle . But also his milk brother. Note that the Prophet ﷺ and Hamza ibn abd al muttalib were almost the same age. As such, they grew up together. But contrary to what one might think their paths, at least initially, were not heading in the same direction. Let's take a closer look at their relationship.
The relationship between the Prophet and Hamza ibn abd al muttalib
Once they had grown up, the two men obviously took different paths. In other words, Hamza followed his passion for hunting and worldly things. Whereas Muhammad gradually distanced himself from the preoccupations of the people of his town, in order to follow what divine providence had destined for him.
That said, even though the two men took very different paths, there remained between them a great esteem and deep respect.
That said, Hamza ibn abd al muttalib, despite their diametrically opposed outlooks on life, continued to recognize and equally appreciate the extreme loyalty, great wisdom and sincerity of his nephew, our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
So much so that Hamza ibn abd al muttalib couldn't stand insults to Muhammad. Muhammad reacted violently when this particular situation arose. It wasalso on this occasion that he announced his conversion .
The conversion of Hamza ibn abd al muttalib
Hamza ibn abd al muttalib was returning from hunting when he heard that Abu Jahl had insulted and scorned his nephew and Prophet Muhammad. This news enraged him so much that without wasting a minute, he set off, bow and shoulder, to meet the man behind these insulting remarks. And so it was that Hamza went to meet Abû Jahl with these words to his face: "Do you insult Muhammad when I have embraced his religion and believed in what he professes? Answer me if you have the courage."
In view of these words, Hamza ibn abd al muttalib, in full view of all the Qurayshites, declared that he had embraced the religion of truth. Many of them were shocked. After that, Hamza's presence in battle was a real support for the Muslims.
And, conversely, a disaster for the enemies. And it was following the deaths of so many of them in battle that a plot was hatched by the Quraysh dignitaries. A plot to avenge the dead Qurayshites, by getting rid of Hamza in particular.
The plot that killed him
Indeed, these famous dignitaries had the idea of commissioning Wahshi, an Abyssinian slave, to kill Hamza. In exchange for his freedom. A mission outbid by a tempting offer of jewels from Hind. She is Abu Sufyan's wife.
Hind wished to see her revenge carried out, following the loss of her father, brother, uncle and son. These had perished in battles led by Hamza, our man of courage.
During the battle of Uhud, Wahshi shot Hamza whenever he had the chance. But it wasn't an assassination as "simple" as that. What deeply saddened and afflicted our prophet was Wahshi' s mutilation of his uncle Hamza. With the sole aim of satisfying the burning desire for revenge and hatred. This is how Hamza's liver ended up in the hands of Sufyan's wife. So that she could eat it.
Madness had clearly taken hold of him at that moment.
And it is this mutilation that is the sad feature of Hamza's assassination, which lies today in the land of Uhud, on the very spot where he was slaughtered.
The revelation following Hamza's death
Finally, the story of Hamza ibn abd al muttalib is also the cause of the revelation of verses 125 to 128 of Sura An Nahl. Indeed, in response to the affliction felt by our noble Prophet over this affair.
Allah revealed: "By wisdom and good exhortation call (people) to the path of your Lord. And argue with them in the best way. For your Lord knows best those who stray from His Path, and He knows best those who are rightly guided. And if you punish, inflict [à l'agresseur] a punishment equal to the wrong he has done you. And if you endure...it is certainly better for those who endure. Endure! Your endurance [ne viendra] only with (the help of) Allah. Do not grieve for them. And do not be distressed by their plots. Surely, Allah is with those who [L'] have feared with piety and those who are beneficent."