MUSJIDUL HAQ

Download PDF: [S] Attempt to Assassinate the Holy Prophet (Islamic Story)

There is no doubt that the record of kindness and grace of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – will never end. The more we read, the more amazing examples are revealed in front of us. One of his greatest traits was to pardon a person who tried to do the worst of things against him. In fact, his acts of pardoning the most hardened of hearts is a separate chapter all together.

 

A few days after the Battle of Badr when the Muslims had won a victory beyond all expectations, the people of Mecca were still regretting the loss which their forces had suffered. However, no one noticed that there were two people sitting alone at the Hateem discussing softly among themselves. Both of them were planning the most heinous crime ever imagined. They were planning to kill the most supreme creation of Allah Almighty. In other words, they were planning ways and methods of actually killing the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. They intended to murder the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – when he was completely unaware.

 

Among the rich and famous who had died in the Battle of Badr from among the Meccans was also Ummayah bin Khalf. This was that tyrant who was once the owner of Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him. In fact, when we read about the oppression that befell the eminent companion, it clearly proves the immense Imaan of the eminent companion and the pure hatred of Ummayah bin Khalf against Islam and the Muslims.

 

The son of Ummayah, whose name was Safwaan, was still fuming about the loss of his father. In front of him, his cousin Umair bin Wahb also sat. The son of Umair bin Wahb had also been captured by the Muslims and was being held in Madina Shareef as a prisoner. It was quite obvious that the loss and humiliation suffered by these people was not something which could be easily forgotten.

 

Remembering those Meccans who had died, Safwaan mentioned that life had lost all its taste and sweetness after the death of these people. Umair replied, “I swear by the Lord that you have indeed spoken the truth. I also swear by my Lord that if I did not have the amount of debt which I owed and if I did not have the responsibility of taking care of my family which I fear would suffer if I am not around, then certainly right at this moment, I would jump on my horse and destroy Muhammad. Another excuse I would have is that my son was a prisoner held by them (hence, my arrival in Madina Shareef would not look unusual).”

 

Safwaan then asked him, “Are you serious that you would be prepared to fulfil this task?”

 

Safwaan replied that he would indeed be prepared to go at that minute but was concerned about his debts and his family upkeep.

 

When Safwan heard these words, he replied, “You should not be concerned about these things. They are minor issues.  I will stand complete guarantor of your debts and will also take the responsibility of looking after your family. You go and complete your task without any worry. At the same time, also bear in mind that this is a very secretive mission and besides me and you on earth, no one else is aware of our plan and mission.”

 

Umair assured him that this would remain a secret and they shook hands after this conversation to seal their agreement.

 

Umair mentioned that they should immediately prepare for this mission. Safwaan mentioned that he was well aware of these type of secret missions and he knew exactly what is to be done. He then brought a sword home and after cleaning the sword, he placed poison on the blade and mentioned that half the blade of the sword would be used to avenge the death of his father.

 

A few days later, he handed this sword to Umair and mentioned that he should leave as quickly as possible for Madina. Umair then decided to accept this advice and he departed for Madina Shareef.

 

Obviously, at that time, the subject everyone was discussing was the issue of Badr. However, Safwaan mentioned to all his people that very soon he would give them very good news. He was confident that Umair would succeed in achieving his mission of killing the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

 

In fact, Umair was so famous for his evil plotting and scheming that he was known as the Satan of the Quraish. He was also at the forefront of oppressing the Muslims in the early days of Islam. However, in the Battle of Badr, his son was captured by an Ansari Muslim whose name was Hadrat Sayyiduna Rafaa’e bin Raaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

When Umair reached in Madina Shareef, at that moment, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – was also sitting in the Masjid with a few other blessed companions discussing what had happened in the Battle of Badr.

 

However, from the corner of his eye, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – noticed Umair walking towards the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – with a sword around his neck. He was convinced that this person had an evil intent and decided to approach him. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – also knew that this was someone who had encouraged the Meccans to fight against the Muslims and had also given secret information on the strength of the Muslim army.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – then grabbed him by the throat and took him to the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. He then mentioned that this enemy of Islam had come with a sword around his neck.

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – ordered Hadrat Sayyiduna Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – to release Umair and allow him to speak. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – then did as he was told but also warned the other Muslims around the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – to keep a close eye on Umair as he was an enemy of Allah Almighty. The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then called Umair closer to him. When Umair came near, Umair greeted the Muslims with the familiar greeting which was used by the non-Muslims.

 

However, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – mentioned that they had been given a better greeting and which was also a form of Du’a. This would also be something which the Ahle Jannah would use to greet each other.

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then asked Umair the purpose of his visit and Umair replied that he had come to see the condition of his son and he had no other purpose. He also pleaded with the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – to have his son released.

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then asked him the reason for the sword which he carried. He remained silent and then remarked that this sword had served no purpose. The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – again asked him the reason for his visit and again he replied that he had merely come to see the state of his son and nothing else.

 

However, looking closely at him, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – revealed to him, “Is it not true that one day, you and Safwaan bin Ummayah were sitting in the Hateem and you were discussing your leaders who had been thrown into the well of Badr after they had been killed. And you had mentioned that if you did not have your family to take care and did not have any debts, you would travel to Madina and kill me. Thereafter, Safwaan undertook the responsibility of your debts and also of looking after your family on condition that you had me killed. Bear in mind O Umair, Allah Almighty is between us.”

When Umair heard these amazing words, he replied, “I bear witness that indeed you are the Prophet of Allah. Whatever messages you used to bring to us, we used to belie those messages. However, this which you have revealed is something which is known to no one else except me and Safwaan. I am now certain that no one could have revealed this to you except Allah Almighty. I now also give thanks to Allah Almighty that he has blessed me with Islam and given me strength to walk on the straight path.”

 

According to ibn Aseer, he mentions that after this incident, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – remarked, “I swear by Allah that I used to despise Umair as much as a person despises a pig. However, after he accepted Islam, I love him even more than I love my own children.”

 

Look at the manner in which the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – acted with those who came to kill him.

 

After his acceptance of Islam, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – also advised the blessed Ashaab to teach Umair Islam, teach him the Qur’an and also release his prisoner.

 

When Umair saw the kindness of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – he was greatly impressed and wanted to serve Islam as a repayment for his past deeds. He then requested the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – to give him permission to return to Mecca Shareef and spread Islam in that city.

 

This request was accepted and Hadrat Sayyiduna Umair Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – continued to spread Islam among the people in Mecca Shareef. It is said that many people accepted Islam at his hands. Prior to him arriving in Mecca, Safwaan used to wait for people who were arriving from Madina Shareef and he used to ask about Umair. Finally, one day someone informed him that Hadrat Sayyiduna Umair Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – had accepted Islam. When he heard this, he promised never to speak to Hadrat Sayyiduna Umair Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – again and never to help him in anything. (Al Usaabah, Seerat Ibn Hishaam, Al Mu’jum Al Kabeer)

 

Note: Where are those so-called Muslims who claim that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – did not have Knowledge of the Unseen? This Hadith Shareef is clear example that indeed, he did have Knowledge of the Unseen. Obviously, if the Wahhabi/Deobandi was present at that time, I am sure they would have tried to convince Hadrat Sayyiduna Umair – may Allah be pleased with him – not to believe the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – when he revealed the hidden plan to him.

 

In fact, they would tried to convince him that since the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – did not know the Unseen, he should not listen to the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. But we are certain that Hadrat Sayyiduna Umair – may Allah be pleased with him – would have answered that we are Sahaabi and not Wahhabi. It is a tragedy that these people would still consider themselves as Muslims when they go out of their way to belittle the dignity of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. They have nothing in common with Muslims. None of their beliefs are according to the beliefs of the blessed Ashaab. This one single example is ample proof of this fact.