Acceptance of Islam
Hazrat Hamza (ra) was enabled to accept Islam in the sixth nabawi year, during the period of [the stay at] Darul Arqam.
(At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra Li Ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p.6, Hamza bin Abdil Muttalib, Darul-Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut)
In accordance with historical accounts, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) has narrated the incident of Hazrat Hamza’s acceptance of Islam in his own style. I will narrate its summary [before you] as well as present some of its details. A person ought to hear this incident and ponder over the reasons as to why Hazrat Hamza (ra) accepted Islam, and how he was overcome with jealousy for the honour of the Holy Prophet (sa) at the time when Abu Jahl acted unjustly toward the Prophet (sa).
Nevertheless, this incident is narrated as follows: Once, the Holy Prophet (sa) was sitting on a rock between the hills of Safa and Marwa. He was most certainly pondering over how to establish the unity of God Almighty in the world when, in the meanwhile, Abu Jahl approached him. As soon as he arrived, he said, “O Muhammad (sa)! Why do you not refrain from spreading your message?” Following this statement, Abu Jahl began to verbally abuse the Prophet in a most vile manner. The Holy Prophet (sa) quietly continued to listen to Abu Jahl’s abuse and tolerated him. He did not utter a single word in reply. After Abu Jahl had finished uttering these words of abuse, this wretched person came forward and slapped the Holy Prophet (sa) on his face.
However, even then, the Prophet did not say a word to him. Hazrat Hamza’s house was right in front of the place where the Holy Prophet (sa) was sitting and where Abu Jahl had abused him.
Hazrat Hamza (ra) had not yet accepted [the Prophet (sa)] by then. His daily routine was that he would take his bow and arrow and go hunting every morning and return in the evening. Furthermore, he would participate in the gatherings of Quraish.
That day, when Abu Jahl had cursed the Holy Prophet (sa) and treated him harshly, he was away hunting. However, it so happened that when Abu Jahl was acting in this manner, one of the female servants of Hazrat Hamza (ra) was standing at the door, observing this scene. When Abu Jahl repeatedly attacked the Holy Prophet (sa) and hurled innumerable curses at him, the Prophet quietly and peacefully tolerated his abuse. The female servant stood at the door and continued to observe this scene.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) writes that that was undoubtedly a woman and a disbeliever. However, in the older times, whereas the people of Mecca inflicted cruelties upon their slaves, there were also some noble people, who treated their slaves with kindness, and after a long period of time, those slaves were considered a part of that very family. The same was the case for this female slave of Hazrat Hamza (ra). When she observed this entire scene with her eyes and heard it with her ears, it impacted her greatly. However, she was unable to do anything. She continued to observe and hear, however, she became distressed and was burning with rage from within. When the Holy Prophet (sa) got up and left that place, she also returned to her work.
When Hazrat Hamza (ra) returned from his hunt that evening and came home, he disembarked from his mount with his bow and arrow in hand, in a manner of demonstrating his courage and pride. Seeing this, the female servant, who had suppressed her anger and sorrow for a long time, approached Hazrat Hamza (ra) and passionately said:
“Do you have no shame that you walk around acting brave?”
Hearing this, Hazrat Hamza (ra) became perplexed and asked her in astonishment what the matter was. The female servant said:
“The matter is that your nephew, Muhammad (sa), was sitting here when Abu Jahl approached him, and began to attack and hurl abuse at him, and then Abu Jahl slapped him on the face. However, Muhammad (sa) did not make as much as a sound in response to this and quietly continued to bear this. Abu Jahl continued to curse him until he became tired and then left. However, I saw that Muhammad (sa) did not respond to any of his actions. You walk around with great courage and have returned from your hunt with great pride. Are you not ashamed that your nephew has been treated in this manner in your presence?”
Hazrat Hamza (ra) had not yet accepted Islam. One of the reasons for this was that he was counted among the leaders of Quraish and he was also not willing to accept Islam due to [his] position in the tribe, even though he believed the Prophet (sa) to be true.
However, until that time, Hazrat Hamza (ra) was unprepared to sacrifice his status, honour and prominence for the sake of religion. Nevertheless, when he heard this incident from his female slave, his eyes became bloodshot and he became indignant for his family’s honour. Hence, without taking a moment of rest, he marched toward the Ka‘ba in that very state of anger. First, he performed a circuit around the Ka‘ba and following this he marched towards the gathering in which Abu Jahl was present.
There, Abu Jahl was narrating the incident with great arrogance, pride and boastfulness. He mentioned that earlier that day he had abused Muhammad (sa) and treated him in a vile manner.
When Hazrat Hamza (ra) reached this gathering, he forcefully struck his bow against the head of Abu Jahl and said:
“You claim to be brave and are telling people that you disgraced Muhammad (sa) in such manner and that he did not make as much as a sound. Now I will disgrace you. If you have the courage, speak before me.”
At that time, Abu Jahl was considered to be a king and he was a chief of [their] nation. He was similar to the pharaoh. When his friends saw this, they passionately got up and tried to attack Hazrat Hamza (ra). However, Abu Jahl, who had become awestruck due to the Holy Prophet (sa) quietly tolerating his abuse and due to the bravery and courage of Hazrat Hamza (ra), intervened and stopped them from attacking Hazrat Hamza (ra). He said, “Let him be. The fact of the matter is that I committed an injustice and Hamza is in the right.”
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) further writes in his own manner that when Muhammad (sa) returned home from the hills of Safa and Marwa, he was repeating in his heart that his duty was not to fight, but to patiently tolerate all abuse. However, God Almighty from His throne was declaring
اَلَیۡسَ اللّٰہُ بِکَافٍ عَبۡدَہٗ
In other words, “O Muhammad (sa)! You are not prepared to fight, however, are We not present in order to overcome the opponents on your behalf?”
Hence, the very same day, God Almighty endowed the Holy Prophet (sa) with a devoted soul in order to confront Abu Jahl. Furthermore, Hazrat Hamza (ra) professed his belief in the very gathering in which he struck his bow against the head of Abu Jahl. He addressed Abu Jahl and said:
“You abuse Muhammad (sa) merely because he says that he is the Messenger of God and that angels descend upon him. Listen carefully that from today, I also follow the religion of Muhammad (sa), and I also profess all that which Muhammad (sa) professes. If you have the courage and dare, then confront me.” Having said this, Hazrat Hamza (ra) entered the fold of Islam.
(Rasul-i-Karim ki zindagi ke tamaam aham waqiaat… Anwarul Uloom, Vol. 19, pp. 137-139)
In the narrations we find that after Hazrat Hamza (ra) accepted Islam, it strengthened the faith of the Muslims in Mecca.
(At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra Li Ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p.6, Hamza bin Abdil Muttalib, Darul-Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut)
In fact, the English historian, Sir William Muir, has also testified to this fact that the objective of the Holy Prophet (sa) was strengthened by Hazrat Hamza (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra) entering the fold of Islam.
(The Life of Mohammad, Sir William Muir, Heading – Prophet Insulted, p. 89, 1923)