“Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration” (Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 23)
The Lion of Allah, the Lion of His Messenger, the Leader of Martyrs, and the Uncle of the Master of Prophets and Messengers, the Defender of the Message, who sacrificed himself to establish and spread the foundations of Islam.
Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib was the son of Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf ibn Qusay. Hamza had several children including: Ya’la and ‘Amir from his wife, the daughter of Mulla ibn Malik, and ‘Umara from his wife Khawla al-Ansariyyah. Additionally, he had a daughter, Umamah, from Salma bint Umays, the sister of Asma al-Khath’amiyyah. He was, in fact, affectionately known by the nickname Abu ‘Umara. Furthermore, his siblings include Al-Abbas, Abu Talib, Safiyya (رضي الله عنهم) as well as Prophet Muhammad’s fierce enemy Abu Lahab.
Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib Acceptance of Islam
The story of Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalim, the Lion of Allah, accepting Islam is indeed a unique one. Reflecting on this incident invites Muslims to think about how deep their sense of protectiveness for their beloved Prophet should be. Jealousy and protectiveness stirred in Hamza’s heart when Abu Jahl acted unjustly toward the prophet. Abu Jahl had insulted and harmed the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) near the Ka’bah. When Hamza finds out about the incident after returning from a hunting trip, his heart fills with anger and he makes his move. He rushes to the gathering of the Quraysh at the Ka’bah, where Abu Jahl was sitting among his people. Without hesitation, Hamza strikes Abu Jahl on the head with his bow and declares his conversion to Islam in front of everyone:
“You abuse Muhammad merely because he says that he is the Messenger of Allah and that angels descend upon him. Listen carefully that from today, I also follow the religion of Muhammad and I also profess all that which Muhammad professes. If you have the courage and dare, then confront me.”
This marks an important changing point in early Islam. Its effect is profound ripples through all of Quraysh. Remember this is the noble Hamza ibn Abd Al-Muttalim who is greatly revered and respected among the Qurayshi. This profoundly strengthened the Prophet’s message and its spread. This was particularly important when other Sahaba like Khabbab ibn Al-Aratt and Bilal ibn Rabah were under a great deal of persecution.
Battle of Badr – The Critical Duel
At the battle of Badr, six men, divided into two opposing ranks, stood poised to shape the course of history. In this decisive moment, the fate of truth and falsehood hung in the balance. These six men carried the weight of entire nations, and the outcome of their clash would determine the destiny of future generations, whether they would walk the path of guidance and justice or remain enslaved by ignorance and tyranny.
From the Quraysh stood 3 men. Utbah ibn Rabi’ah, his brother Shaybah, and his son Al-Walid. They call for challengers, and three Ansari youths respond. The Quraysh rejects them, demanding equals from the Prophet’s kin. The Prophet ﷺ then calls forth Ubaydah ibn al-Harith, Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Utbah asks, “Speak so we may know you.”
Hamza replies, “I am Hamza, the Lion of Allah and His Messenger.” he marked himself in battle by wearing an ostrich feather on his chest, a distinctive symbol recognized by both friend and foe.
Utbah acknowledges, “A noble match. And these?”
Hamza introduces Ali and Ubaydah. Utbah conceded, “Noble equals.”
As the duel commences, the Prophet ﷺ turns to the Qiblah, pleading, “O Allah, here is Quraysh, full of arrogance, seeking to deny Your Messenger. O Allah, grant me the victory You have promised. O Allah, if this group is destroyed today, there will be none to worship You.” His heartfelt prayer encapsulated the gravity of the moment.
Islam Versus Ignorance
Ali faced Al-Walid, Hamza confronted Utbah, while Ubaydah engaged Shaybah. Firstly, Ali strikes, killing Al-Walid. Hamza then triumphs over Utbah after fierce combat. Ubaydah and Shaybah strike each other at the same moment and Shaybah falls dead immediately. Ubaydah, although grievously injured was not killed immediately. He was carried by Hamza and Ali back to the Prophet ﷺ, smiling in the face of death.
Ubaydah’s final gaze meets the Prophet ﷺ, and he repeats a statement once composed by Abu Talib:
“We will defend Muhammad, even if it costs us our lives, our wives and children.”
Clearly, these six men were the pillars of both armies. If the pillars on one side collapsed, the entire army on that side would crumble, and this is exactly what happened after that duel. Allah fulfilled His promise to His Messenger at Badr, granting him victory and support. Despite the loss of the Lion of Allah and his Messenger, The Battle of Badr became a beacon of light that dispelled the darkness of ignorance and idolatry. This victory marked Islam’s first of many triumphs.
The Battle of Uhud and Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib’s Martyrdom
Knowing that he may die, Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib completed his will before making his way to participate in the Battle of Uhud.
During the Battle of Uhud, Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib fought with two swords, demonstrating unmatched strength and further earned his name by killing more than thirty enemy warriors. However, he became the target of a plot by Hind bint Utbah (whose father was killed by Hamza in the battle of Badr) and Jubayr ibn Mut’im, who promised Wahshi ibn Harb, an Abyssinian slave, his freedom in exchange for Hamza’s death. Wahshi, motivated by reward, used a spear to strike Hamza, leading to his martyrdom on the fifteenth of Shawwal in the third year of Hijrah. He was either fifty-four or fifty-nine years old at the time of his death.
When the Prophet ﷺ saw the body of Hamza which has been mutlilated, he was deeply upset. He said:
“O Hamza, no trial like this will I ever face again. I have never seen a more painful scene than today’s.”
“Jibreel has informed me that Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib has been noted as the Lion of the Prophet in the seven heavens.”
Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib: Legacy and Burial
Hamza was buried in Medina, and he remains honoured as one of Islam’s greatest martyrs. A poem mourns his loss translated from Arabic:
“My eyes weep, and rightly they do,
But what good is weeping and wailing?
On the Lion of Allah,
Is this Hamza, slain and gone?
The Muslims all felt his loss,
And so did the Messenger too.”
May Allah unite us with Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Lion of Allah and his Messenger, in Jannah.