Wahshi ibn Harb AlHabashi, Bilal ibn Rabah, and Al-Najashi رضي الله عنهم were Black men whose contributions influenced the course of early Islam. Wahshi’s story stands out as a journey from tragedy to redemption. From slaying the best of men to the worst of men
The Day of Badr Belonged to Hamza
At Badr, Prophet Muhammad’s uncle Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib رضي الله عنه earned his name as “The Lion of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ” with unparalleled courage. Quraysh called him “The Lion Slayer” even before Islam, and his legend only grew after that day. Hamza stormed the battlefield, cutting down warrior after warrior. No man who faced him stood for long.
Quraysh reeled from their defeat and held Hamza responsible. They swore revenge. Among them was Wahshi ibn Harb, a skilled slave, unmatched with the spear.
A Spear ends a Lion
At the Battle of Uhud, Jubayr ibn Mut’im promised his slave Wahshi ibn Harb freedom—if he killed Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib رضي الله عنه. Wahshi, a master of the spear, hid behind rocks. When the moment came, he threw his weapon with deadly precision. The spear pierced Hamza’s abdomen and exited between his legs.
Wahshi ibn Harb Alhabashi became a free man. Wahshi later said, “I watched him fall, and I knew I was free. But his death haunted me from that moment.”
Hamza رضي الله عنه, the Prophet’s ﷺ uncle and one of the greatest warriors in Islam, was gone.
Wahshi ibn Harb’s Escape from Makkah
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ conquered Makkah, Wahshi fled to Ta’if in fear. He knew he had killed not just any man but the Lion of Allah. Wahshi stayed in Ta’if until its people accepted Islam and went to meet the Prophet ﷺ.
Overwhelmed with panic, Wahshi considered escaping to Syria, Yemen, or any land far from the Prophet ﷺ. He later said:
“The earth, vast as it is, felt tight around me. I thought of fleeing to the corners of the world. Then a man said to me: ‘Muhammad does not kill anyone who embraces his faith.’ So, I set out to see him, trembling with fear and hope.”
Facing the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
Years later, the Prophet ﷺ conquered Makkah, forgiving the people of Quraysh. But Wahshi, fearing retribution for Hamza’s death, fled to Ta’if. Some people advised him, “The Prophet ﷺ does not seek personal revenge. Islam wipes out all sins that came before it. Go to him, embrace Islam, and he will accept you.”
Gathering his courage, Wahshi traveled to the Prophet ﷺ. He narrated, “I crept forward until I stood above him. I said, ‘I testify there is no god but Allah, and you are His Messenger.’”
The Prophet ﷺ asked, “Are you Wahshi?”
Wahshi replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”
The Prophet ﷺ continued, “Sit down and tell me how you killed Hamza.”
Wahshi sat and described, detail by detail, how his spear had ended Hamza’s life. When he finished, the Prophet ﷺ turned his face away and said:
“Woe to you, Wahshi! Hide your face from me. Do not let me see you again.”
Though forgiven, Wahshi’s presence reopened the Prophet’s ﷺ deep wound. The Prophet ﷺ, while noble enough to forgive, remained human enough to grieve.
Wahshi ibn Harb’s Path to Tawba
Wahshi struggled with his guilt. He said, “How can Muhammad invite me to Islam when Allah says:
‘Those who kill, commit shirk, or commit adultery will face multiplied punishment, living in disgrace forever?’”
In response, Allah revealed:
“Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Qur’an 25:70)
Wahshi protested, “But what if I cannot fulfill this condition?”
Allah then revealed:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whom He wills.” (Qur’an 4:48)
Still unsure, Wahshi asked, “How do I know Allah will forgive me?”
Finally, Allah revealed a verse that brought peace to Wahshi’s heart:
“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves: Do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Qur’an 39:53)
Wahshi exclaimed, “This is what I needed!”
Wahshi ibn Harb Redeems Himself in Battle of Yamama
After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, Musaylimah the Liar declared false prophethood, leading a rebellion. Wahshi joined the Muslim army. In the heat of battle, he spotted Musaylimah and threw his spear—the same spear that had ended Hamza’s life. This time, it killed the worst of men.
Wahshi ibn Harb Alhabashi would later say, “With this spear, I killed the best of people—Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib—and the worst of people—Musaylimah the Liar.”
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