Introduction

Today, I will speak about Hazrat Hamza (ra) bin Abdul Muttalib. A detailed account of him, in particular the way he converted to Islam, has been given in history and in the Ahadith. The same is true for the incident of his martyrdom.

He was known by the title of Sayyidush-Shuhadaa [The Chief of the Martyrs]. Asadullah [The Lion of Allah] and Asadur-Rasul [The Lion of the Prophet] were accolades also given to him.

Hazrat Hamza (ra) was the son of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib, the leader of the Quraish and the paternal uncle of the Messenger of Allah. The name of the mother of Hazrat Hamza (ra) was Hallah, who was also the paternal cousin of the Prophet’s mother, Hazrat Aminah. Hazrat Hamza (ra) was two years older than the Holy Prophet (sa) or four years according to another narration.

(Isti‘ab, Vol. 1, p.369, Hamza bin Abdil-Muttalib, Darul Jalil, 1992, Beirut), (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 2, p.67, Hamza bin Abdil-Muttalib, Darul-Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1996, Beirut)

Hazrat Hamza (ra) was also a foster brother of the Holy Prophet (sa). A bondwoman, named Thaubia, had nursed both of them.

(Sharah Zarqani, Vol. 4, p.499, Bab Zikru Munaqibul Abbas, Darul-Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1996, Beirut)