A few days after the Battle of Badr concluded, Umair ibn Wahb was sitting near the Hajr al-Aswad (the Black Stone) along with Safwan ibn Umayyah.
Umair ibn Wahb was someone who used to cause immense distress to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions (Sahaba). While in Makkah, the Muslims had suffered severe hardships at his hands.
The Secret Plot in Makkah
Umair was conversing with Safwan about the seventy individuals who were killed in the Battle of Badr and thrown into a ruined well, lamenting the misfortunes that had befallen them.
Safwan said:
“By Allah! There is no good left in life after those who were killed at Badr.”
Umair replied:
“Yes! You speak the truth. If it weren’t for the debt I owe, and if I didn’t fear that my family would be left destitute after I am gone, I would ride out to Muhammad (ﷺ) and assassinate him. For indeed, I hold a deep enmity against them, and my son is currently held captive by them.”
Umair’s son, Wahb, had been captured as a prisoner of war during the Battle of Badr. Hearing this, Safwan recognized it as a golden opportunity.
Safwan proposed:
“I will take full responsibility for paying off your debt. Your family shall live with my family, and I will support them as long as they live.”
Umair said:
“Keep what we have discussed a complete secret!”
Safwan replied: “I will do so.”
Following this pact, Umair thoroughly sharpened his sword, coated it with deadly poison, and departed Makkah to reach Madinah.
Arrival in Madinah and Umar’s (ra) Vigilance
In Madinah, near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Umar (RadhiAllahu Anhu) was sitting with a few Muslims, discussing the Battle of Badr, the honor Allah had bestowed upon them, and the fate Allah had brought upon their enemies.
At that moment, Umar (ra) noticed Umair arriving at the entrance of the mosque, making his camel kneel while carrying a sword slung around his neck.
Umar (ra) remarked, “This enemy of Allah, Umair, has come here intending nothing but evil. He is the one who plotted against us on the day of Badr.” He immediately went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him, “O Messenger of Allah! This enemy of Allah, Umair, has arrived with his sword slung around his neck.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed, “Bring Umair to me.”
Hazrat Umar (ra) went over, grabbed the hilt of the sword around Umair’s neck, and pulled him forward. He told the Ansar (helpers) who were nearby, “Take him to the Prophet (ﷺ) and sit with him there. Guard the Prophet against this evil man, for he is not trustworthy.”
The Encounter with the Prophet (ﷺ)
When Umair was brought before the Prophet (ﷺ), Umar (ra) was still holding the hilt of the sword around Umair’s neck. Seeing this, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “O Umar, let him go.” He then turned and said, “O Umair, come closer to me.”
Umair approached and offered the traditional pre-Islamic Arab greeting: “An’im Sabaha” (“May your morning be good”).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“O Umair, Allah has honored us with a greeting far better than yours—the Salam (peace). It is the greeting of the dwellers of Paradise.”
Umair replied:
“By Allah, I am new to this matter.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) asked:
“O Umair, why have you come here?”
Umair answered:
“My son, Wahb, is a prisoner in your hands. Show some favor regarding his captivity.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) asked:
“Then what is the matter with the sword around your neck?”
Umair replied:
“May Allah ruin all swords! Did they avail us anything at Badr?”
The Prophet (ﷺ) asked again:
“Tell me the truth! For what purpose did you come?”
Umair replied: “I have come with the intention of killing you.”
The Secret Revealed and Conversion
The Prophet (ﷺ) then revealed the hidden truth to Umair:
“You and Safwan sat near the Hajr al-Aswad at the Kaaba, talking about those of the Quraish who were killed at Badr and thrown into the well. Then you said, ‘If it were not for my debt and my family, I would set out to kill Muhammad (ﷺ).’ Safwan then took responsibility for your debt and family on the condition that you assassinate me. But Allah has stood as a barrier between you and your plan.”
Upon hearing this, Umair immediately proclaimed:
“I bear witness that you are truly the Messenger of Allah. We used to deny the heavenly news you brought us and the revelation (Wahy) sent down to you. However, when this conversation took place, there was absolutely no one present except Safwan and myself. Therefore, by Allah, I know for certain that none other than Allah could have informed you of this. I praise Allah for that. All praise is due to Allah, Who guided me to Islam and brought me to this place!”
He then officially accepted Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) turned to his Companions and commanded: “Teach your brother Umair about Islam, teach him the Qur’an, and release his son.” The Companions did exactly as instructed.
Return to Makkah
Afterward, Umair (ra) requested:
“O Messenger of Allah! I used to strive fiercely to extinguish the light of Allah and heavily persecute those who followed Allah’s religion (Deen). I now wish for your permission to return to Makkah and invite them towards Allah and His Messenger, so that Allah might guide them.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) granted him permission, and he returned to Makkah. Upon his arrival, Umair (ra) went straight to his own home and did not go to meet Safwan. He openly declared his acceptance of Islam to his family and invited them to the faith.
When Safwan heard of this, he said:
“The moment Umair went to his house without meeting me first, I knew he had been caught up in something and changed his religion. Therefore, I will never speak to him again, nor will I provide any support to him or his family.”
Despite this, whenever Umair (ra) crossed paths with Safwan, he continuously invited him to accept Islam.
Key Takeaway
No matter how much harm people inflicted upon the Prophet (ﷺ), he always wished well for them. His ultimate objective was to save humanity from the Hellfire. To achieve this, he endured every hardship and exemplified the sublime character of forgiving others—a profound lesson for all of us to remember.
