Zaid Ibn Al Khattab - The Martyr of Yamama
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This is the story of the older brother of a very well-known Sahabah. The brother of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, Zaid Ibn Al-Khattab. He was a man who loved the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and loved to showcase his Deen through Jihad, or fighting for Allah SWT. In the end, he died a martyr in the Battle of Yamama.
Background of The Battle of Yamama
The story of Zaid Ibn Al Khattab begins with the story of a treacherous man named Ar-Rajjal Ibn Unowfa. This man began his life as a Muslim, coming to the the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Medina to give his pledge of allegiance. After becoming a Muslim, Ar-Rajjal left Medina to return to his land, and never came back until after the death of the Prophet ﷺ.
One day, the Prophet ﷺ was sitting with some Companions engaging in conversation. After some time, he sat silent and did not say anything. He then turns to those sitting with him and says that there is one among them whose molar tooth would be greater than the mountain of Uhud in the Hell Fire. This was such a terrifying statement because these were all honest Companions who now feared a day in which they would turn away from Islam.
Years passed and everyone except for two had died as martyrs in Jihad for Allah SWT. The two that remained were Abu Huraira and Ar-Rajjal Ibn Unowfa. We know the honor and destiny of Abu Huraira (RA), who narrated the most Hadith. The one who turned away from Islam was As-Rajjal Ibn Unowfa.
The Appearance of Musailama
After the death of the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr as Siddiq (RA) was chosen as the first Khaleefa (Caliphate), or leader, of the Muslims. At this time, a man from the region of Yamama appeared who claimed to be a prophet of Allah SWT. This man was Musailama Al Kathab, or Musailama the Liar. Ar-Rajjal Ibn Unowfa heard of this rumor and came back to Medina. He suggested that Abu Bakr (RA) send an envoy, or representative, to keep the people on their Deen. Abu Bakr (RA) gave him permission to go.
When Ar-Rajjal went to Yamama and saw the overwhelming number of people believing in Musailama, his heart wavered. He thought that these people would truly be victorious, so he left Islam and joined Musailama the Liar.
This was the prediction of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ come true.
Ar-Rajjal proved to be a much more dangerous man than Musailama as he had lived for a period with the Prophet ﷺ in Medina. He took verses of the Quran which he had heard and twisted them to support the message of Musailama. As a representative sent from Abu Bakr (RA), he could easily earn the trust of the people. He claimed that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had said him and Musailama shared the same message of Prophethood. This led many more people to join Musailama the Liar in his false message of prophethood. News of Musailama and Ar-Rajjal’s treachery reached Medina.
Zaid Ibn Al-Khattab
When news of Musailama and Ar-Rajjal reached Medina, the Muslims were furious. How dare one take such an honor of living alongside the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and twist his words for his own benefit against Islam! One of these men was Zaid Ibn Al-Khattab, none other than the older brother of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA). Zaid had such unwavering strength and would fight alongside the Prophet ﷺ in every battle. He became a Muslim before his brother, Omar (RA), and also died a martyr before him. He had such strong conviction in his Deen, that he looked forward to being a martyr. During the Battle of Uhud, he fought long and hard, until his armor had fallen off, leaving him exposed to more danger. When his brother, Omar (RA) offered to give him his own armor, he replied that if he were to die, he wanted to be a martyr fighting for the sake of Allah SWT and continued to fight without any armor. He fought with such bravery and the battle ended with him still standing, alhamdulillah. He was able to fight many more battles alongside the Prophet ﷺ.
When he heard of Ar-Rajjal’s treachery, he was furious. He thought that even if it were the last thing he does in this life, he wanted to put an end to Musailama and Ar-Rajjal Ibn Unowfa.
The Battle of Yamama
The Muslims gathered and marched to Yamama to put an end to this evil. At first, the Muslims seemed overwhelmed because of the huge following that Musailama had gathered. They fought bravely and violently against Banu Hanifa, the tribe which followed Musailama. During the first part of the Battle, the Muslims lost many strong warriors to the swords of Banu Hanifa and they started to fear that Islam would not succeed.
Zaid (RA) came upon a hill and called out to the Muslims to continue fighting bravely. Allah SWT is on their side and He would protect and support them. Zaid said that he would not speak again until the men of Musailama were wiped out or until he met Allah SWT (in martyrdom). He rushed into battle looking for Ar-Rajjal ibn Unowfa, intending to kill him himself.
The Death of Ar-Rajjal
When Zaid (RA) came across Ar-Rajjal, he would attempt to reach him with his sword, but the crowds of fighting men would make him lose sight of him again. This happened time and time again, until he finally caught hold of Ar-Rajjal. Zaid swung at Ar-Rajjal and chopped his head off. News of Ar-Rajjal’s death spread quickly among Musailama’s men and left them in fear.
Before the battle, Musailama the Liar had promised his followers of a guaranteed victory against the Muslims. He claimed that he and Ar-Rajjal Ibn Unowfa would win this battle and spread the message of their faith to create a new land of these “new Muslims”. However, the death of Ar-Rajjal meant that Musailama’s prophecy was not true and he was a liar. Just as the death of Ar-Rajjal drove fear into the hearts of Musailama’s followers, news of his death gave new determination and hope to the Muslims.
Zaid Ibn Al-Khattab (RA) brought his hands up, praising and thanking Allah SWT for this initial victory. He recalled his statement of not speaking until the Muslims have victory against Musailama’s men or until his death. He picked up his sword and continued fighting bravely alongside the Muslims.
The Death of Zaid (RA)
The battle continued in favor of the Muslims. Although they lost many as martyrs in Islam, the Muslims eventually won the Battle of Yamama, killing both Ar-Rajjal and Musailama. Among those martyrs was Zaid ibn Al-Khattab (RA). When the Battle had come close to its end, he had asked Allah SWT to allow him to die a martyr in this noble fight. And that he did, subhanAllah.
When the Muslims returned to Medina, their victory against Musailama the Liar rang loud and true. Abu Bakr (RA) and Omar (RA) were welcoming the fighters. Omar (RA) looked eagerly for his brother’s return, but did not spot him among the crowd. It was said that Zaid ibn Al-Khattab was a tall man and his head would stand out among the crowd. Seeing that his brother did not return, Omar (RA) knew that he died a martyr in this battle. Although sad for his loss, he knew that Zaid was in a much better place now and died the death he had wished for.
Omar (RA) said,
“May Allah’s mercy be upon Zaid. He preceded me in two good things. He embraced Islam before me and he was martyred before me.”
May Allah SWT make us of the people whose love for Islam and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ leads our lives as it led the life of Zaid ibn Al-Khattab (RA). Ameen.