Hazrat Wahshi ibn Harb (R.A)

Hazrat Wahshi (R.A) was the Ethiopian slave of Jubayr ibn Mut'im. He is best known for making Hazrat Hamza (R.A), the beloved uncle of Holy Prophet (S.A.W), Shaheed (Martyr) in the Battle of Uhud.

Before accepting Islam, Wahshi had been appointed by Hind bint Utbah to kill one of the three people (Holy Prophet (S.A.W), Hazrat Ali (R.A) or Hazrat Hamzah (R.A)), so that she may avenge her father's death during the Battle of Badr.

Wahshi said in reply, "I cannot approach Muhammad at all, because his Companions are nearer to him than anyone else. Ali too is extraordinarily vigilant in the battlefield. However, Hamzah is so furious that, while fighting, he does not pay any attention to any other side and it is possible that I may be able to make him fall by some trick or by taking him unaware.”

After he had Martyred Hazrat Hamzah (R.A), he went to Taa'if up on the Conquest of Makkah but later presented himself in Madina Shareef to accept Islam.

Rasoolullah (S.A.W) heard from him how he had killed His (S.A.W) uncle. Though it caused the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) much sorrow in hearing this, nevertheless He (S.A.W) forgave Hazrat Wahshi (R.A), but also said, "O Wahshi. Don't come before me". (The reason for such words to be used was due to the fact that Hazrat Wahshi (R.A) reminded Rasoolullah (S.A.W) of His (S.A.W) beloved uncles Martyrdom, which caused Him great discomfort.)  

The Sahaabi (R.A) was very grieved by this. Acknowledging the grave killing that he had committed, Hazrat Wahshi (R.A) once asked the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), “Will Allah (S.W.T) forgive a criminal like me as well?”, upon which the following Ayah of the Holy Quran was revealed,

Please declare, “O My Devotees, who have committed excesses against their own selves, be not despaired of the mercy of Allah.”Surely, Allah forgives all the sins. Indeed He is the most Forgiving, the Merciful.(Surah Al-Zumar, Verse 53) (Madaarijun-Nabuwwah, Vol.2, Pg.302)

During the Khilaafat of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A), Hazrat Wahshi (R.A) took part in a battle against the imposter, Musailma Kazzab (the imposter who claimed to be a Prophet); Hazrat Wahshi (R.A) had killed Musailma with his spear. After the battle He (R.A) used to say,

“I had made Shaheed one of the best men (Hazrat Hamzah (R.A)) during the Period of Ignorance, and killed one of the worst (Musailma) while being a Muslim.”