The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 218
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 218 from hunting, a female servant said to him, “Have you heard that Abul-Ḥakam [that is Abū Jahl] just went on to say awful things to thy nephew, and cursed at him in filthy and profane language, but Muḥammad [sa] did not react at all. ” Upon hearing this, Ḥamzah’s ra eyes gorged of blood in rage and his family honour was infuriated. He immediately started off towards the Ka‘bah, and first performed circuits of the Ka‘bah. After this Ṭawāf , he moved towards the gathering in which Abū Jahl was sitting. Upon reaching there, he firmly struck Abū Jahl’s head with his bow and said, “I have heard that you cursed at Muḥammad [sa]. Then listen, I too follow the religion of Muḥammad [sa] and I also say what he says. Hence, if you possess even a little courage, speak before me!” The associates of Abū Jahl rose in his support and a brawl almost erupted, but Abū Jahl who was struck in awe of the bravery and courage of Ḥamzah ra stopped his associates saying, “Ḥamzah [ra] is true, I did in fact act unjustly,” and in this way the matter was settled. 1 In his outburst Ḥamzah ra said that, “I am also upon the religion of Muḥammad [sa] ” but when he returned home and his anger subsided, he was somewhat apprehensive and began to ponder over the best course of action. Ultimately, his heart decided that now it is best to forsake polytheism. Consequently, he came to the Holy Prophet sa , recited the Kalimah and entered the fold of Islām. 2 This incident is from the sixth year of prophethood, when the Holy Prophet sa was still situated in Dār-e-Arqam. 3 In happiness of Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzah’s ra acceptance of Islām, or perhaps in the ardour of his sincerity, Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra openly announced the unity of God, in the courtyard of the Ka‘bah the same day Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzah ra accepted Islām. At that time, the Holy Prophet sa and various other Muslims were also present. When the Quraish witnessed the boldness of Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra they attacked him. They beat him so mercilessly that when the people of his tribe helped him up and took him home, he was completely unconscious. Due to the severe beating, his body was seriously injured. When he regained consciousness, his first question was, “How is the Holy Prophet sa ” and until Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra received word of his security, 1 * Tārīkhuṭ-Ṭabarī, By Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad bin Al-Jarīr Ṭabarī, Volume 2, pp. 235-236, Bābu Dhikril-Khabri ‘ammā kāna min Amri Nabiyyillāhi sa ‘inda Ibtidā’illāhi Ta‘ālā. . . . . . , Dārul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, Second Edition (2002) * As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Malik bin Hishām, p. 219, Bābu Islāmi Ḥamzah ra , D ārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 2 Ar-Rauḍul-Anf, By Imām Abul-Qāsim ‘Abdur-Raḥmān Suhailī, Volume 2, pp. 44-45, Bābu Islāmi Ḥamzah ra , Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 3 Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Muḥammad bin ‘Abdul-Bāqī Az- Zarqānī, Volume 2, p. 3, Bābu Islāmil-Fārūq, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebehon, First Edition (1996)