The Satan of Quraish Who Became a Caller to Islam
'Umair ibn Wahb Al-Jamhiyy, may Allah be pleased with him, had, before his Islam, joined the ranks of the disbelievers of Quraish in the Battle of Badr. He was then known as the "Satan of Quraish". He was sent to go over to the Muslim camp to estimate the number of the Muslim army and to see if the Muslims were ambushing the Quraish or had reinforcements.
'Umair estimated that there were about 300 men in the Muslim army. When asked if the Muslims had reinforcements behind them, he said, "I found nothing. But O you Quraish, I saw horses carrying veritable death. They have neither fortitude nor refuge except their swords. By Allah! I see that if one of them is killed, one of you will be killed also. If they killed the same number as you, what would be the benefit of life after that? Think wisely."Some of the leaders of the Quraish were alarmed but before they could change their mind about abandoning the fight, Abu Jahl, who was, ironically, one of Badr's first victims, stopped them from doing so.
The distended vanity and confidence of the Quraish was deflated by their unexpected defeat in Badr, after Allah The Almighty sent angels to fight by the side of the believers. The Quraish returned to Makkah defeated and humiliated, many of them taken prisoners by the Muslims. Among the prisoners was `Umair ibn Wahb's son.
After Badr, 'Umair sat discussing Badr with his cousin Safwaan ibn Umayyah, whose father Umayyah ibn Khalaf had been killed at Badr. Safwaan, referring to those killed at Badr, said, "By Allah, there isn't any good in life after them." 'Umair said, "That is true. By Allah, were it not for debts that I am unable to repay, and my children who I fear might become vagabonds after me, I would ride to Muhammad and kill him. I have a plausible reason to give him. I will say that I have come for the sake of my son, a prisoner of war."
The distended vanity and confidence of the Quraish was deflated by their unexpected defeat in Badr, after Allah The Almighty sent angels to fight by the side of the believers. The Quraish returned to Makkah defeated and humiliated, many of them taken prisoners by the Muslims. Among the prisoners was `Umair ibn Wahb's son.
After Badr, 'Umair sat discussing Badr with his cousin Safwaan ibn Umayyah, whose father Umayyah ibn Khalaf had been killed at Badr. Safwaan, referring to those killed at Badr, said, "By Allah, there isn't any good in life after them." 'Umair said, "That is true. By Allah, were it not for debts that I am unable to repay, and my children who I fear might become vagabonds after me, I would ride to Muhammad and kill him. I have a plausible reason to give him. I will say that I have come for the sake of my son, a prisoner of war."
Safwaan seized this chance and said, "I will repay your debts and maintain your children with mine, and comfort them as long as they live." 'Umair agreed to the proposition, and told Safwaan to keep their conversation a secret. Then he set out for Madeenah with a poisoned sword.
'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, was sitting with some of the Muslims, talking about Badr when 'Umair arrived in Madeenah. On seeing 'Umair girded with his sword, 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, exclaimed, "That dog, the enemy of Allah, 'Umair ibn Wahb! By Allah, he has come for nothing but evil. It is he who provoked us on the day of Badr." Then 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, entered the Masjid and said to the Prophet, , "O Messenger of Allah, here is the enemy of Allah, `Umair ibn Wahb, come girded with his sword."
The Prophet, , told 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, to let 'Umair come in. 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, came out, took 'Umair by the scabbard of his sword round his neck, and said to some of the men, "Enter and sit with the Prophet and be cautious of that fellow; he is dishonest." Then `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, entered again, still holding the scabbard of 'Umair's sword round his neck.
'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, was sitting with some of the Muslims, talking about Badr when 'Umair arrived in Madeenah. On seeing 'Umair girded with his sword, 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, exclaimed, "That dog, the enemy of Allah, 'Umair ibn Wahb! By Allah, he has come for nothing but evil. It is he who provoked us on the day of Badr." Then 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, entered the Masjid and said to the Prophet, , "O Messenger of Allah, here is the enemy of Allah, `Umair ibn Wahb, come girded with his sword."
The Prophet, , told 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, to let 'Umair come in. 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, came out, took 'Umair by the scabbard of his sword round his neck, and said to some of the men, "Enter and sit with the Prophet and be cautious of that fellow; he is dishonest." Then `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, entered again, still holding the scabbard of 'Umair's sword round his neck.
When the Prophet, , saw him, he told `Umar to leave 'Umair alone. Then the Prophet, , asked 'Umair: "What made you come, 'Umair?" 'Umair replied, "I have come for the sake of this captive in your hands." The Prophet, , said: "Tell the truth, 'Umair, what have you come for?" 'Umair said, "I have come for that purpose." Then, the Prophet, , said: "But you sat with Safwaan ibn Umaiyah at Al-Hijir and mentioned those of Al-Qalub from the Quraish, then you said, were it not for my debts and my children, I would ride and kill Muhammad. Safwaan promised to repay your debts and maintain your children on condition that you kill me, but Allah prevented you from doing so."
At this, 'Umair cried, "I witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah, and that you are His Prophet. That matter was not attended by anyone except Safwaan and me. By Allah, Allah told it to you. Praise be to Allah, who guided me to Islam." The Prophet, , said to his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them: "Teach your brother the religion and how to read the Quran, and set free the prisoner of war."
At this, 'Umair cried, "I witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah, and that you are His Prophet. That matter was not attended by anyone except Safwaan and me. By Allah, Allah told it to you. Praise be to Allah, who guided me to Islam." The Prophet, , said to his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them: "Teach your brother the religion and how to read the Quran, and set free the prisoner of war."