In an attempt to narrate all the events related to the migration of Abyssinia at one place, many other concurrent events were left out, which shall be mentioned now. Until now the apparent state of the Muslims was very weak, because among them, there was not a single person (excluding Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra) who possessed influence among the Quraish, or at least from whom the Quraish were somewhat pressured. But now, by the Grace of Allāh two such persons entered the fold of Islām, who, to some extent, by their dignity and awe, proved to reinforce the apparent glory of Islām. Our intent is Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzah bin ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalibra and Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭābra, who accepted Islām one after the other in 6 Nabawī.
Ḥamzahra was the biological paternal uncle of the Holy Prophetsa. He loved the Holy Prophetsa dearly, but until now, he was an idolater. It was his practice to set out in the early morning, bow and arrow in hand, and would hunt all day long. In the evening, he would return to perform Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah, and he would then hold sessions with the various gatherings of the Quraish, which were held in the courtyard of the Ka‘bah in groups of twos and fours. Afterwards, he would return home. One day, when Ḥamzahra returned 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’sra 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 Ḥamzahra 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 Ḥamzahra 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 Prophetsa, recited the Kalimah and entered the fold of Islām.2 This incident is from the sixth year of prophethood, when the Holy Prophetsa was still situated in Dār-e-Arqam.3 In happiness of Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzah’sra acceptance of Islām, or perhaps in the ardour of his sincerity, Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra openly announced the unity of God, in the courtyard of the Ka‘bah the same day Ḥaḍrat Ḥamzahra accepted Islām. At that time, the Holy Prophetsa and various other Muslims were also present. When the Quraish witnessed the boldness of Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra 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 Prophetsa” and until Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra received word of his security, he did not feel at ease.4
1 * Tārīkhuṭ-Ṭabarī, By Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad bin Al-Jarīr Ṭabarī, Volume 2, pp. 235-236, Bābu Dhikril-Khabri ‘ammā kāna min Amri Nabiyyillāhisa ‘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 Ḥamzahra, Dārul-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 Ḥamzahra, 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, Lebenon, First Edition (1996)
4 Tārīkhul-Khamīs, By Ḥusain bin Muḥammad bin Ḥasan Dayār Bakrī, Volume 1, p. 294, Dhikru Islāmi Ḥamzah, Muwassasatu Sha‘bān, Beirut