Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib facts for kids

Ḥamza ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib (Arabic: حَمْزَة إبْن عَبْد ٱلْمُطَّلِب; born around 568 CE and died in 625 CE) was a very important person in early Islam. He was the uncle and a close friend (called a Companion) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

He was sadly killed in the Battle of Uhud on March 23, 625 CE. Hamza was known by special names like "Abū ʿUmāra" and "Abū Yaʿlā". He was also called Asad Allāh (which means "Lion of God") and "Lion of his Messenger". After his death, Prophet Muhammad gave him the special title Sayyid al-Shuhadāʾ, meaning "Chief of the Martyrs".

Hamza's Early Life

Hamza was born in Mecca, a city in Arabia. He was a bit older than Prophet Muhammad, possibly by two to four years. They even shared the same wet-nurse, Thuwayba, who nursed both of them when they were babies.

Hamza was known for being very strong and brave. He was skilled in many things, like wrestling, archery, and fighting. He also loved hunting lions! People described him as "the strongest man of the Quraysh," which was the main tribe in Mecca.

Hamza's Family

Hamza's father was Abd al-Muttalib, who was a respected leader from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. His mother was Halah bint Wuhayb.

Interestingly, Hamza's parents got married on the same day as Prophet Muhammad's parents. This meant Hamza was the younger brother of Muhammad's father, Abdullah.

Hamza had a family of his own. He married three times and had several children.

How Hamza Became a Muslim

For the first few years, Hamza didn't pay much attention to Islam. But that changed in late 616 CE.

One day, Hamza returned to Mecca after a hunting trip. He heard that a powerful leader named Amr ibn Hishām (also known as "Abu Jahl") had attacked Prophet Muhammad. Abu Jahl had insulted Muhammad's religion and tried to make him look bad. Muhammad had not fought back.

Hamza became very angry. He rushed to the Kaaba, a holy building, where Abu Jahl was sitting with other leaders. Hamza stood over Abu Jahl and hit him with his hunting bow. He bravely said, "Will you insult him, when I am of his religion and say what he says? Hit me back if you can!" Abu Jahl's relatives wanted to help him, but Abu Jahl told them to leave Hamza alone, admitting he had deeply insulted Muhammad.

After this event, Hamza went to a place called the House of Al-Arqam and officially became a Muslim. When Hamza became a Muslim, the Quraysh tribe realized that Prophet Muhammad had gained a strong protector. This made them less likely to bother Muhammad.

Once, Hamza asked Muhammad if he could see the angel Jibreel in his true form. Muhammad warned him it would be difficult, but Hamza insisted. It is said that Jibreel appeared, and Hamza saw his feet were like shiny emeralds before he fainted.

In 622 CE, Hamza joined the emigration (a journey for safety) from Mecca to Medina. There, Prophet Muhammad made him a brother in Islam to Zayd ibn Haritha.

Hamza's Military Actions

Hamza was a brave military leader and took part in several important events.

First Expedition

Prophet Muhammad sent Hamza on the very first raid against the Quraysh tribe. Hamza led thirty riders to the coast to stop a merchant group coming back from Syria. They met Abu Hishām, who was leading three hundred riders. However, a local leader named Majdi ibn Amr al-Juhani stepped in, as he was friends with both sides. So, the two groups separated without any fighting.

Battle of Badr

Hamza fought bravely in the Battle of Badr, which was a major battle for the early Muslims. He rode a camel with Zayd ibn Haritha. Hamza was easy to spot because he wore a special ostrich feather.

In this battle, Hamza fought and killed a strong enemy leader named Utbah ibn Rabi'ah. He also helped Ali kill Utba's brother, Shayba. Hamza later carried Prophet Muhammad's banner (flag) in another expedition against the Banu Qaynuqa tribe.

Hamza's Death

Grave of Hamza near Mount Uhud

Hamza became a martyr (someone who dies for their faith) in the Battle of Uhud. This happened on Saturday, March 23, 625 CE, when he was around 57 to 59 years old.

During the battle, Hamza was fighting bravely in front of Prophet Muhammad. An Abyssinian slave named Wahshi ibn Harb was promised his freedom by Hind bint Utba if he killed Hamza. Hind wanted revenge because Hamza had killed her father, Utba ibn Rabi'a, in the Badr. Hamza stumbled and fell on his back, and Wahshi took that chance to kill him.

Hamza was buried in the same grave as his nephew, Abdullah ibn Jahsh. Prophet Muhammad later said, "I saw the angels washing Hamza because he was in Paradise on that day." Fatima, Muhammad's daughter, used to visit Hamza's grave and take care of it.

See also

• Hamzanama
• List of expeditions of Muhammad
• Sunni view of the Sahaba
• The Message (1976 film)
• Ali ibn Abi Talib
• Badr al-Jamali
• Malik al-Ashtar
• Al Qaid Johar
• Habib bin Mazahir
• Abbas ibn Ali