Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib

In 622, he participated in the emigration to Medina, where Muhammad paired him in brotherhood with Zayd ibn Haritha. In Medina, Hamza became a central military leader of the nascent Muslim state. He was appointed to lead the first Muslim military expedition, served as the prophet's standard-bearer during the Siege of Banu Qaynuqa, and fought prominently on the front lines at the Battle of Badr in 624. He was killed in combat at the Battle of Uhud in 625 CE by a javelin thrown by Wahshi ibn Harb, an Abyssinian slave commissioned by Hind bint Utba. Hamza was buried on the Mount Uhud alongside his nephew Abd Allah ibn Jahsh, with Muhammad himself leading multiple funeral prayers over his body. Celebrated for his bravery and steadfastness, Hamza is honored with the epithet Sayyid al-Shuhadāʾ (lit. 'Leader of the Martyrs').

Birth and early life

Hamza was born to Abd al-Muttalib, a prominent patriarch of the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, and his mother was Halah bint Wuhayb of the Banu Zuhrah clan of Quraysh, both of which were influential Meccan lineages. According to the majority of Islamic sources, Hamza was approximately four years older than his nephew, Muhammad. Others state that he was born two years before the Prophet, though it is also said that it was four years before. Both were nursed by Thuwaybah, which established a bond of milk kinship and made them milk-brothers.

The marriage of Hamza’s parents was part of a notable double-wedding event involving his father, Abd al-Muttalib, and his half-brother, Abdullah. As recorded by Al-Tabari, one tradition relates that Abd al-Muttalib accompanied his son Abdullah to the house of Wahb ibn Abd Manaf to propose marriage to Wahb’s daughter, Aminah. During this visit, Abd al-Muttalib noticed Wahb’s niece, Halah bint Wuhayb, and requested her hand in marriage for himself. Wahb consented to both requests, and the two men were married to their respective brides on the same day.

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Biography

Pre-Islamic period

In around 595 CE, Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib acted as the primary representative for Muhammad in negotiating his marriage to Khadija bint Khuwaylid. While many reports also credit Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib with facilitating the union, historical traditions identifying Hamza as the representative who met with Khadija’s guardian, Khuwaylid ibn Asad, to finalize the agreement are well-documented.

Conversion to Islam

Prior to his conversion, Hamza was counted among the wujuh (notables) of Mecca, holding significant influence within the Quraysh nobility. Hamza showed little interest in Islam during its early years and converted in late 616 CE. According to early sources, after returning to Mecca from a hunting trip, he was informed that Abu Jahl had insulted Muhammad. Hamza went to the Kaaba, struck Abu Jahl with his bow, and declared his support for Muhammad. When members of Abu Jahl’s clan intervened, he reportedly told them to leave Hamza alone, admitting he had insulted Muhammad.

Following the incident, Hamza entered the House of Al-Arqam and formally embraced Islam. His conversion was seen as a turning point by the Quraysh, who shifted from direct harassment to attempts at negotiation, which he refused. One account states that Hamza once asked to see the angel Jibril in his true form. When Jibril appeared with feet like emeralds, Hamza lost consciousness. In 622, he joined the emigration to Medina, where he stayed with either Kulthum ibn al-Hidm or Sa'd ibn Khaythama. Muhammad paired him in brotherhood with Zayd ibn Haritha.

Expedition of Hamza

In his first expedition, Muhammad appointed Hamza to lead a raid against a Quraysh caravan. He commanded a force of thirty riders to intercept a merchant convoy returning from Syria along the coastal route in Juhayna territory. At the seashore, Hamza encountered the caravan led by Abu Hisham, accompanied by 300 riders. Conflict was averted when Majdi ibn Amr al-Juhani, who had ties to both parties, intervened and negotiated a peaceful resolution.

Battle of Badr and aftermath

At the Battle of Badr, Hamza fought alongside the Muslims, sharing a camel with Zayd ibn Haritha and wearing an ostrich feather to make himself identifiable in combat. Prior to the battle, the Muslims blocked access to the wells at Badr. Al-Aswad ibn Abd al-Asad al-Makhzumi approached the cistern, vowing to drink from it, destroy it, or die trying. Hamza confronted him and struck his leg, causing him to fall. Al-Aswad crawled into the water before Hamza killed him near the cistern. During the opening duel, Hamza fought alongside Ali and Ubayda ibn al-Harith against Utba ibn Rabi'a, Shayba ibn Rabi'a and al-Walid ibn Utba. Hamza killed Shayba, while Hamza and Ali together killed Utba after Ubayda had been mortally wounded. Hamza later carried Muhammad’s banner during the expedition against the Banu Qaynuqa.

Battle of Uhud and death

Hamza was killed in the Battle of Uhud on Saturday, 23 March 625 (7 Shawwal 3 AH), at the age of approximately 57 to 59. Fighting at the front line, Hamza killed Siba ibn Abd al-Uzza al-Ghubshani, also known as Abu Niyar, during the battle. He subsequently fought until he killed Artat ibn Abd Shurahbil al-Abdari, one of the men carrying the Qurayshi banner. Hamza was then fatally struck in the abdomen by a javelin thrown by Wahshi ibn Harb, an Abyssinian slave promised manumission by Hind bint Utba in retaliation for the death of her father at the Battle of Badr. Some sources report that Hind attempted to chew Hamza’s liver after the battle but was unable to swallow it. Hamza and his nephew, Abd Allah ibn Jahsh, were buried in the same grave. Ibn Masud reported that Muhammad led multiple funeral prayer for Hamza, each time with another fallen companion laid beside him. He was widely mourned and was the first person to be named the "master of the martyrs" (Sayyid al-Shuhada) by Muhammad, establishing an archetype of steadfastness that remains central to Islamic tradition.

Marriages and children

Hamza married three times and had seven children.

Salmah bint Umays ibn Ma'd, the half-sister of Maymunah bint al-Harith.
1. Umama bint Hamza, wife of Salama ibn Abi Salama.
Zaynab bint Al-Milla ibn Malik of the Aws tribe in Medina.
1. Amir ibn Hamza.
2. Bakr ibn Hamza, who died in childhood.
Khawla bint Qays ibn Amir of the An-Najjar clan. He had issue, but their descendants had died out by the time of Ibn Sa'd.
1. Ya'la ibn Hamza
2. Umara ibn Hamza
3. Umar ibn Hamza.
4. Atika bint Hamza.
5. Barra bint Hamza.