Hamza was the first great martyr among the emigrants in the Battle of Uhud and was referred to by the Prophet (PBUH) as the "Master of Martyrs", a title that indicates his high position in the sight of God.
According to Ashura News, quoted by Tasnim News Agency, Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), was one of the most prominent figures of the early days of Islam and one of the first supporters of Islam. After embracing faith, he defended the Prophet (PBUH) with all his might and played a key role in the Battle of Badr. The titles "Asadullah" and "Asad Rasulullah" were given to him due to his exemplary courage.
Mr. Hamza is the first great martyr among the immigrants in the Battle of Uhud and was called "Sayyid al-Shuhada" by the Prophet (PBUH), a title that shows his high position in the sight of God. His martyrdom dealt a heavy blow to the Muslims, and the mutilation of his body by the polytheists showed the depth of their hostility. Although the title "Sayyid al-Shuhada" was later used in an absolute sense for Imam Hussein (PBUH), these two titles do not conflict with each other and each has its own meaning in its own historical and spiritual context. Hamza is an example of a selfless and sincere martyr who laid the foundations of Islam in the most difficult circumstances by sacrificing his life.
On the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in the month of Shawwal, in a conversation with Dr. Ali Shah Hussaini, a university professor and expert in Islamic history, he examined parts of the influential life of this great martyr for the cause of Islam.
Hamza's place in history
What is Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib's place in Islamic history?
Hamza was the son of Abdul Muttalib and from the Banu Hashim family. He and the Prophet were close from the same father (Abdul Muttalib) and mothers, and they grew up together in childhood. This family bond had created a special love between the two.
Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib was one of the staunch supporters of the Prophet and did not hesitate to support the Prophet throughout his life. He was also respected by the Quraysh during the pre-Islamic period, and after converting to Islam, he played an important role in reducing the persecution of the polytheists against the Prophet.
He was also one of the heroes of the Battle of Badr and played a vital role in the Battle of Uhud. However, in the same battle, he was cowardly martyred by "Wahshi bin Harb" at the instigation of Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, and his body was mutilated. His martyrdom was one of the most bitter events of the early days of Islam, and the Prophet was deeply affected.
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The effects of Hamza's conversion to faith in strengthening the foundations of Islam
In any case, Hamza was older than the Prophet (PBUH) in terms of age, and at the time of the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet (PBUH) and his mission, Hamza was a man who was socially known among the people of his time. What was Hamza's approach to the mission of the Messenger of God and how did he become a Muslim?
The conversion of Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib was decisive in the history of Islam in several ways, both in terms of time (i.e., at the initial stage of the Prophet's call to Islam in Mecca), in terms of personality (because he was a warrior, respected and well-known among the Quraysh), and in terms of his social and military role after conversion.
Hamza was approximately two or four years older than the Prophet (PBUH) in terms of age and had grown up alongside the Prophet from a young age. He was one of the bravest men of the Quraysh and excelled in archery, hunting, and martial skills. Socially, as a young Hashemite with awe and influence, he was respected by the people of Mecca and Quraysh. Some sources consider him to be one of the Quraysh's warlords.
At the beginning of the mission, like many of the elders of the Banu Hashim, Hamza did not have a hostile stance towards the Prophet (PBUH). He had not yet converted to Islam, but because he loved the Prophet and, in terms of family zeal, saw defending Muhammad as a form of defending the honor and dignity of the Banu Hashim, he was not indifferent to the persecution of the Prophet by the Quraysh. In fact, emotional and blood sympathy with the Messenger of God was a prelude to his heartfelt acceptance of the prophetic call.
The story of Hamza's revelation of Islam
According to reliable historical accounts, including the narrations of Ibn Hisham and Ibn Ishaq, one day the Prophet (PBUH) was by Mount Safa when Abu Jahl violently insulted and cursed him. The Prophet (PBUH) said nothing with patience and dignity. However, a slave girl from the Quraysh saw this scene and reported it to Hamza, who had returned from hunting at that time, with a bow on his shoulder and angry at hearing the news.
Without pausing, Hamza went to the Grand Mosque, stood before Abu Jahl, and said firmly: "Did you curse Muhammad? I also follow his religion! If you are telling the truth, face me." And with his bow, he struck Abu Jahl on the head. The Quraysh were surprised at first, but since Hamza was one of the warriors of the Quraysh, no one dared to confront him.
According to some narrations, Hamza said at that moment unconsciously and out of zeal: "I am on the religion of Muhammad." But when night fell and he calmed down, he thought in his heart whether the path of Muhammad was really the truth or not? And after sincere thought, he believed and remained faithful to that faith until the end of his life.
This is how Islam revealed itself. Some narrations also consider his Islam to be the result of previous knowledge, reflection, and preparation.
Hamza's conversion to Islam encouraged the Prophet and the Muslims. At the same time, it worried the Quraysh, because they realized that the Prophet was no longer alone, and had gained a deterrent force against their persecution and pressure.
Along with the conversion of Hazrat Khadija, Ali (AS), and Abu Talib to Islam, Hamza's presence gave public power to the Prophet's call.
Sayyid al-Shuhada before Ashura
One of the famous titles of Hamza, the uncle of the Prophet (PBUH), is Sayyid al-Shuhada. Why was he called by this title?
Yes, "Sayyid al-Shuhada" is one of the important and famous titles of Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), which shows his prominent position in the history of Islam. He was the first great martyr of Islam on the battlefield, who was tragically martyred in the Battle of Uhud at the hands of the Quraysh polytheists, especially the Abyssinian savage.
The Prophet (PBUH) personally called him "Sayyid al-Shuhada." A narration in the book Mustadrak states: "Hamza is the master of martyrs in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection," meaning: "Hamza is the master of martyrs in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection." His body was mutilated after his martyrdom (the cutting off of his body parts by Hind, Abu Sufyan's wife), and this was a sign of the intensity of the Quraysh's hostility and the greatness of his sacrifice.
Of course, his other titles include "Asadullah" and "Asad Rasulullah," which means the lion of God and the lion of the Messenger of God. This is because Hamza was unparalleled in courage and bravery. He even played a key role in the defeat of the Quraysh in the Battle of Badr.
After becoming a believer, he defended the Prophet with all his might, especially in the incident when Abu Jahl dared to challenge the Prophet, Hamza punished him with anger and power. For this reason, the Prophet (PBUH) called him the "Lion of God", as a sign of power, zeal and bravery in the cause of religion.
We know that the title of Sayyid al-Shuhada was also given to Imam Hussain (AS) after the incident of Karbala, and over time, it was applied to him in an absolute manner. Is there a conflict between calling Hamza Sayyid al-Shuhada and Imam Hussain (AS)?
No. Allama Shahid Motahari writes that the title of Sayyid al-Shuhada was specific to him during the time of Hamza, and after the incident of Karbala, it was applied to Imam Hussain (AS) in an absolute manner. Mulla Salih Mazandarani has also confirmed this distinction in his commentary on Usul al-Kafi.
In fact, there is no conflict between calling Hamza Sayyid al-Shuhada and Imam Hussain (AS); Rather, both of them have this title in their own special place, and over time, this title was applied to Imam Hussein (AS) in an absolute manner due to the unique characteristics of the Ashura movement.
Therefore, both titles are correct and have a place, and applying the title "Sayyid al-Shuhada" to Imam Hussein (AS) does not mean denying this title to Hamza. Rather, the perfection of this title appeared in the person of Imam Hussein (AS). This is similar to how several people can have the title of "Allamah" or "Imam", but sometimes it is applied to one person absolutely, due to his greatness.
A martyr with a mutilated body
How did Hamza's martyrdom occur?
In the Battle of Uhud, Hamza fought bravely and killed many polytheists. But in the end, an Abyssinian slave named Wahshi bin Harb, who was promised freedom at the instigation of Hind, Abu Sufyan's wife, or at the order of Jubayr bin Mut'im, martyred Hamza with a spear. After his martyrdom, Hind mutilated his body and took out his liver, intending to eat it.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was very sad and cried when he saw Hamza's mutilated body. He said: "No calamity has befallen me like your calamity." He also ordered that Hamza be buried with respect and said that he should be called Sayyid al-Shuhada.
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