Perhaps, one of the most important figure in the Islamic history aside from Prophet Mohammed is the Lion of Allah (Islamic Thinkers, 2009), or the Chief of Martyrs according to Ash-Shannâwi (2004). For some, he is the uncle of Prophet Mohammed, for some he is the master general of Islam, but for some he is just a brave man. But who truly is Hamza ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib?
The Family Background
He is born 'Abdul-Muttalib bin Hashim bin 'Abd Manaf bin Qusai from the tribe of Quraysh (Ash-Shannâwi, 2004). He is the uncle of the Prophet through the Prophet's mother Aminah bint Wahb, who is the first cousin of Hamza's mother Wuhaib bin 'Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah (Ash-Shannâwi, 2004). The relationship between the Prophet and Hamza is not only drawn by being uncle-nephew, but also by being brothers who were fed by a single woman – a slave of Hamza's father.
It was said that Hamza was born two years earlier than the Prophet (Ash-Shannâwi, 2004). However, other historians claim that Hamza was four years older than the Prophet. But the record of two years old difference between the two is far more reliable than the four years old report. It would have been impossible for the two to share breastfeeding from a single woman if Hamza was already four years old when the Prophet was born.
When the Prophet started to preach the message from Allah, Hamza was not the first to respond to the call. Ash-Shannâwi noted that prior to the acceptance of Islam, Hamza would spend his hours in clubs drinking all sorts of wine possible and all other worldly pleasures. Moreover, Hamza was a man of hunting experience that it was seldom for him to stay in the tribe's abode, but he would go to the desert for to hunt. But after two years of the Prophet's message, Hamza embraced the religion and since then have been a great part of protecting it and spreading Islam to other tribes and regions. The relationship between him and the Prophet also grew closer than ever for Hamza was considered the main guard of the Prophet and his most trusted man in times of wars.
The Story of His Return
According to Tawfiq (2007), it had been more than two years since Prophet Mohammed had preached about the revelations of Angel Gabriel to him. It was a hard and harsh start for the Prophet because the wider community in Makkah had been negative about his message. He was ridiculed and vilified; he was even considered a madman or some sort of magician by others. One of the leading opponents of Islam was Abu Jahl.
One day while walking near Mount As-Safa, the Prophet was met by Abu Jahl. Abu Jahl insulted the Prophet as well as the message preached by him and even the Oneness of Allah (Tawfiq, 2007). But Islamic Thinkers (2009) reported that Abu Jahl was not only contented in insulting and ridiculing the Prophet for he also hit him with stone, which caused bleeding of his head.
Ash-Shannâwi (2004) noted that one of the servants rushed to Hamza while he was returning home recalling what had happened this way: "O Abu 'Umarah, you have seen the treatment that your nephew Muhammed received at the hands of Abul-Hakam bin Hisham [Abu Jahl]. The latter found him to be sitting down he then harmed him, cursed him, and did that which he detested (p. 34; Butta, 2013)." Upon hearing the story, Hamza was very angry and went to find Abu Jahl. And when he did, he struck him with the bow causing bleeding of his head. Then Hamza went on to say: “Do you curse Muhammad while I am upon his religion: I say as he says. Now retaliate if you are able to do so.”
The Quraish couldn't believe that Hamza had truly embraced the religion of Mohammed. But worst, they couldn't believe that the Prophet got someone who would protect him. This means that they could no longer ridicule and vilify him without fear that Hamza would retaliate and avenge their needs toward the Prophet. After the incident, Hamza declared throughout Makkah that he believed the message of his nephew. Ever since then, Hamza remained the staunchest supporters of the Prophet and he had been used much by Allah to spread the message throughout Makkah and in our places through the region.
His Role in Islam
After he embraced Islam, Hamza became a prominent figure in the religion. His foremost concern was the way Muslims were worshiping Allah. Ash-Shannâwi (2004) detailed how Hamza asked the Prophet why they were hiding and worshiping Allah in secret. He then created a group and encouraged the entire Muslims to march out in open and worship Allah in open. It was a turning point of Islam becoming a widely embraced religion in the region, and even until today with thousands returning to Islam after being deceived by other religions.
Phillips (2009) noted that Hamza led the raid on Quraysh Caravan at al-Is, which is also considered as the expedition of Sif al-Bahr. The first raid was a success for other leader of the region intervened and stopped Hamza in spoiling the caravan of Quraysh led by Abu Jahl. But the next exploits of Hamza were successful, and it was the start when the Quraysh looked forward in assassinating him and thereby stopping the spread of Islam.
It was in the day of Badr at the battle of Uhud that Hamza's valiantly became more famous. He was adorned with a feather of an ostrich and he fought as the most effective horsemen in the battle and he killed several chiefs of the Quraysh (Ash-Shannâwi,2004). In fact, he was one of the men who masterminded the death of 'Utbah bin Rabi'ah and Tu'aimah bin 'Adi bin Naufal. It was said that when one of the chiefs of the Quraysh tribe was taken captive, he referred Hamza as the man who had inflicted too much damage to their groups than any other.
Due to his valor in the battlefield, Hamza gained too much prominence among Muslims and even the Prophet said of him as his own brother. He was considered one of the Swords of Allah, being the sword in the era of the Prophet. Hamza became an important part of the counsel for the community, and he did everything to protect the prophet from harm. It was also through him that many non-believers and polytheists were killed because they didn't want to accept the truth of Allah, as the only One God and Mohammed as the Prophet.
Death of Hamza in the Battle of Uhud
Al-Mubarakpuri (2002) detailed that the Companions camped in Al-Madinah. The Prophet asked them to stay in Al-Madinah as Allah did not command them to meet the enemy. It must be noted that by this time, the Quraysh people were looking forward to take revenge of what had happened to their tribes and leaders. Yet, with the advice of the Prophet, several young men requested that they meet the enemies and fight them until they all die. At first, the Prophet was reluctant, but after the pleading of the army leaders such as Hamza, he allowed them to meet the enemies. In fact, it was in this pleading that Hamza said “By Allah, Who has sent the Book down unto you, I will not taste food till I fight them with my sword outside Madinah (p. 157).”
During this battle, the Prophet donned his armor and was ready to join the battle. The plan was to crush the enemy outside the city of Uhud. When Hamza and his men met the enemies, he fought with all his energy and he even killed several Quraysh. They were winning the battle and the enemies were already retreating, but due to the disobedience of the archers, the group weakened. The Prophet was fighting as well and he was advancing. But in this battle, Hamza was killed.
Islamic Thinkers (2009) noted that the death of Hamza was out of deception and treachery. There was a woman whose father and brothers were killed in the battle in Bader and the woman wanted revenge. She ordered a slave to kill Hamza with a spear with the reward of freedom. Washi bin Harb, the assassin of Hamza, later embraced Islam. But during the battle, Washi did not aim to kill anybody, save Hamza. He waited for a timing and an opportunity that will give him the advantage to kill a great warrior, for if Washi attacked Hamza earlier, he could had been killed by Hamza.
In the hot spot of the battle, Hamza was able to maneuver and kill several Quraysh leaders, but he fell in a ditch. It was the timing that Washi had been waiting. With the stomach of Hamza in seen vulnerability and with the realization that Hamza won't be able to move faster in the ditch, Washi threw the spear toward Hamza. The spear pierced the navel of Hamza toward his legs. It was a tragic end for a great military general of the Prophet and the early Muslim crusades.
Legacy of Hamza ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib
When the Prophet knew of the death of Hamza, he was struck in pain for he found the mutilation of Hamza unbearable (Phillips, 2009). In fact, Al-Mubarakpuri (2002) noted that the Prophet said: “The chief of the martyrs with Allah on the Day of Resurrection is Hamzah bin 'Abdul-Muttalib.” It was a moment of grief for the Prophet because it was loss of a brother, an uncle, and a great protector who provided him the safety and the care when the spreading of the message was still kept in secret for fear of the people of Makka.
During the funeral, the Prophet led the prayer for Hamza. It was silent one and it was a day of mourning, but Hamza left lasting legacies that until today can still be seen. Of course, the people had been thankful for what he did for Islam, but Hamza left lessons worth to remember. First, it taught the lesson of fighting for the right cause. Hamza fought with all his might to protect the Prophet and the spreading of the message of Allah, even until his last breath. It was a testament of commitment to endure hardship and pain for the sake of what is right.
Second, Hamza left a legacy of valor. It is time for Muslims to stand up to their religion and do what's best. The faith must not kept secret, but must be spread abroad. There is no time for a Muslim to tarry in thinking, for there are still many people who haven't heard of the message and are still kept in the bondage of other religions. Indeed, Hamza is the Lion of Allah.
References:
Al-Mubarakpuri, S. (2012). The Sealed Nectar. Ideas4islam.
Ash-Shannâwi, A. (2004). The Ministers Around the Prophet. Darussalam.
Butta, J. (2013). The Dawn of Islamic Literalism: Rise of the Crescent Moon. AuthorHouse.
Islamic Thinkers. (2009). Hamza Ibn Abdul-Mutallib, The Lion of Allah. Retrieved from http://www.islamicthinkers.com/index/index.ph poption=com_content&task=view&id=261&Itemid=26
Phillips, R. (2009). The Muslim Empire and the Land of Gold. Strategic Book Publishing.
Tawfiq, I. (2007). Hamzah: The Lion of Allah. Retrieved from http://www.onislam.net/english/reading- islam/living-islam/personal-stories/role-models/422414.html
