The document recounts the struggles and hardships faced by early converts to Islam, such as Omar, Talha, Zubair, Bilal, and the family of Yasir, during their persecution by the Quraysh tribe. It highlights the courage and steadfastness of these individuals in the face of violence and rejection, showing how their faith was tested. Notable instances include Bilal's torture and eventual rescue by Abu Bakr, along with the martyrdom of Sumaya, which underscores the difficulties endured by early Muslims in Mecca.

1. THE COURAGE OF CONVICTION
SEEKING
THE PLEASURE OF ALLAH
Hayatus Sahabah by Muhadith Kandahlawi (Kandhelvi)
Rendered into current English
With supporting extracts from her Millennium Biography of Prophet Muhammad
by
Khadeijah Abdullah Darwish (Anne Stephens)
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©2013 - www.Muhammad.com
THE HARDSHIP METED OUT TO OMAR
Abdullah, the son of Omar relates, “When (my father) Omar accepted Islam, he asked,
“Which person of the Koraysh is the best broadcaster?” and was told that was Jamel,
son of Ma’mar Jumhi. Early in the morning Omar went to him, and I followed after him to
see what he was going to do. Even though I was still a child, I understood everything I
saw, and when Omar reached Jamel, he said, ‘O Jamel, do you know I have accepted
Islam and entered into the religion of Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him?’ By
Allah, Jamel did not reply but left dragging his shawl behind him. Omar followed after
him and I followed my father.”
Abdullah, son of Omar continues to relate, “Jamel arrived at the door of the Sacred
Mosque as people were sitting in their gatherings around Ka’bah. At the top of his voice
he yelled out, ‘O assembly of Koraysh, the son of Khatab has become a heretic!’ Omar
who was standing behind him said, ‘He is lying, I have accepted Islam and I bear
witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger.’ The
people rose up and attacked Omar and continued to fight him until the sun stood above
their heads (midday). Omar was exhausted and sat down and the people stood over

2. him. He said, ‘Do as you please, I swear by Allah that we now number three hundred
strong and we will either leave Mecca for you or you leave it for us.’
As they were talking, an old man from the Koraysh arrived, wearing clothes made of
Yemeni cloth with a striped upper garment. He asked, ‘What is the matter with you?’
When they told him Omar had accepted Islam he said, ‘Then stop this. Do you think that
the tribe of Banu Adi (Omar’s tribe) will hand their man over to you just like that? Leave
the man alone.’ By Allah, the people (dispersed so fast that it) seemed as if a sheet had
been lifted from Omar. After we had migrated to Medina I asked my father, ‘Dear father,
who was that old man who drove those people who were fighting you away from you in
Mecca the day you accepted Islam.” He replied, ‘That man, my dear son, was ‘As, son of
Wa’il Shami.’”
In another narration, Abdullah, son of Omar relates, “As he (Omar) was sitting at home
in fear, ‘As, son of Wa’il Sahmi (also known as) Abu Ameerul Mu’mineen arrived,
wearing clothes made in Yemen with an upper garment threaded with silk. He belonged
to the tribe of Banu Sahm who were our allies during the Age of Ignorance. He asked,
“What is the matter?” and Omar replied, “Your people want to kill me because I have
accepted Islam.” ‘As said, “They can do nothing to you (because you are under my
protection).’ Omar said that I felt safe once he said this. Thereafter he left and met with
so many people that they filled the valley. When he asked them where they were going,
they replied, “We want that son of Khatab who has forsaken his religion.” ‘As, son of
Wa’il said, “You can do nothing to him.” So the people dispersed.
THE REACTION OF OTHMAN SON OF AFFAN’S
FATHER
Muhammad, son of Ibrahim Taymi narrates that when Othman, son of Affan accepted
Islam, his uncle Hakam, son of Abil ‘As, son of Umayah bound him tightly in ropes
saying, “Have you turned away from the creed of your forefathers and turned to a new
religion? I swear by Allah, I will never release you until you forsake it!” Othman replied, “I
swear by Allah that I will never leave it.” When Hakam saw how adamant he was in his
adherence to his religion, he released him.
THE REACTION TO TALHA, SON OF
UBAYDILLAH’S
Masood, son of Khirash relates that while he and some others were walking between
(the hills of) Safa and Marwa, that they saw a large group of people following a young
man whose arm was in a sling tied around his neck. When Masood asked who the man
was he was told that it was Talha, son of Ubaydillah who had accepted Islam. Behind
Talha was a woman whose anger was intense swearing at him. When Masood asked
who the woman was, he was told that she was Sa’ba, daughter of Khadrami, the mother
of Talha.
Ibrahim, son of Muhammad, son of Talha narrates that Talha, son of Ubaydillah had told
him, “There was a time when I visited a fair in Busra (Al Sham, ancient Greater Syria)
when I heard a monk announce from his monastery. ‘Ask the people at the fair if anyone
of them is from Haram.’ I replied that I was. So he asked, “Has Ahmad appeared yet?”
“Who is Ahmad” I asked. The monk replied, “He is the son of Abdullah, the grandson of
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3. Abdul Muttalib, this is the month in which he will make his appearance and he is the last
of all the prophets. His origin will be from the Haram, (Mecca) and the place which he
will migrate to has date orchards and land that is rocky and salty. Beware that others do
not beat you to him.” Talha said, “His words affected my heart so I made a hasty return
to Mecca. When I arrived I asked people if anything had developed during my absence
and they replied, ‘Yes Muhammad, son of Abdullah who is known by the name Al Amin
(trustworthy) has claimed he is the Messenger of Allah, and the son of Abu Quhafa (Abu
Bakr) follows him.’ Then I went to Abu Bakr and asked, “Do you follow this man?” Abu
Bakr replied, “Yes. Go and meet him and follow him because he calls to the truth.” Talha
told Abu Bakr about what the monk had said and Abu Bakr took him to the Messenger of
Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and he accepted Islam.
The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, was pleased to hear what the
monk had said. After the conversion of Abu Bakr and Talha, Nufal, son of Khuwaylid,
son of Adawiyah known as the “Lion of the Koraysh’ captured them and tied them
together with the same rope. Even the tribe of Abu Bakr was unable to rescue them.
Abu Bakr and Talha became known as ‘the two companions.’ The narration of Bayhaqi
reports that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, supplicate saying,
“O Allah, save us from the evil of the son of Adawiya.”
THE REACTION TO ZUBAIR, SON OF AWAM’S
CONVERSION
Abdul Aswad narrates that Zubair, son of Awam accepted Islam when he was only eight
years old and migrated (to Medina) when he was eighteen. The uncle of Zubair took to
hanging him up in a straw mat under which he light a fire and made it smoke and would
say, “Return to our belief!” Zubair would reply, “I will never be an unbeliever again!”
Hafs, son of Khalid relates that an elderly man from Mosul came to them and told them
that he had accompanied Zubair, son of Awam on a journey. He said, “We were in an
arid land and Zubair needed to take a shower. He asked me to arrange for some
privacy, and this I did. Accidently, my gaze caught sight of his body and I saw his entire
body had been scarred by sword wounds. I said, ‘By Allah, I have never seen scars like
yours on anyone.’ Zubair asked, ‘Did you see them?’ ‘Yes’ the man replied and Zubair
told me, ‘Every wound was sustained with the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be
upon him, in the Path of Allah.’
Ali, the son of Zaid said that someone who saw Zubair told him that on Zubair’s chest
there were scar marks resembling eyes and that they had been made by arrows and
spears.
THE SUFFERING ENDURED BY BILAL, SON OF
RABAH
Abdullah, son of Masood narrates the first seven people to make known their conversion
to Islam in public were, the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, Abu
Bakr, Amar, his mother Sumaya, Zuhayb, Bilal and Miqdad. Allah caused the uncle of
the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, to protect him, and Abu Bakr
was protected by his tribe whereas the others were captured by the unbelievers and
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4. made to wear coats of steel armor and left to swelter in the intense heat of the Arabian
sun.
People had little regard for Bilal and regarded him as being inferior. They would capture
him and hand him over to their youths who would then drag him through the streets of
Mecca. Bilal thought nothing of himself and as he was being persecuted, he would be
heard saying, “Ahad, Ahad! (Allah is One.).”
We learn from the narration of Mujahid that the new coverts were made to wear coats of
steel armor and left to swelter in the heat of the sun. They suffered greatly from the
combined heat of the sun and the burning heat of the sun’s affect on the armor. When
night fell, Abu Jahl would go to them with his spear taunt and threaten them.
In another narration from Mujahid it is related that the unbelievers would pull Bilal
through the two mountains of Mecca with a rope around his neck.
Urwa, son of Zubair narrates that Bilal was the slave of a woman from the tribe of Banu
Jumh and that the unbelievers had taken to torturing him on the burning sands of Mecca.
They would force him lie flat on the hot sand (and place a heavy rock on his chest) and
try to make him renounce Islam. All through his torture, Bilal would be heard saying
“Ahad, Ahad!” One day as Bilal was being tortured by the unbelievers, Abu Bakr came
across him and said to Umayah, “Don’t you fear Allah for ( what you are doing to) this
poor man, how long will you continue?” Umayah replied, “It is you who have brought this
upon him, why don’t you rescue him from this treatment you are witnessing,” Abu Bakr,
replied, “I will do that, I have an Abyssinian slave who is stronger that him and more
steadfast to your religion, I will give him to you in exchange for this man.” Umayah
accepted and Abu Bakr gave Umayah his slave after securing the possession of Bilal
and gave him his freedom (and nursed him back to health). Before migrating to Medina
Abu Bakr rescued seven more slaves and for the pleasure of Allah, gave them their
freedom.
The son of Is’haq relates that when the heat of the afternoon became intense Umayah
would take Bilal outside and throw him down on the burning sands of Mecca, then
command others to place a heavy rock on his chest and say to him, “You will be left like
this until you die or reject Muhammad and worship Al-Lat and Al-Uzza!” Despite his
extreme suffering, Bilal would say continuously, “Ahad, Ahad!”
On account of Abu Bakr’s freeing of believing slaves such as Bilal, the Messenger of
Allah, praise and peace be upon him, gave Abu Bakr the title of “Ateeq” meaning the one
freed from Hell.
THE SUFFERING OF AMAR, SON OF YASIR AND HIS
FAMILY
The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, gives them glad
tidings of Paradise
Jabir narrates that when the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, saw
Amar and his family (his parents) being tortured by the unbelievers, he said, “O family of
Yasir, hear the glad tidings that you are promised a home in Paradise.”
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5. Othman spoke of the time when he was walking in Bat’ha (a rocky area in Mecca) with
the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, when they saw the unbelievers
torturing Amar and his parents in the heat of the sun as the unbelievers attempted to
make them forsake Islam. Amar’s father cried out, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and
peace be upon him, this has been happening for a long time.” The Messenger of Allah,
praise and peace be upon him, exhorted them to be patient saying, “Be patient, O family
of Yasar. O Allah, forgive the family of Yasir.”
SUMAYA, MOTHER OF AMAR TORTURED TO
DEATH
Sumaya becomes the first martyr in Islam
Abdullah, son of Ja’far narrates the time when the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace
be upon him, came across Amar and his family as they were being tortured by the
unbelievers. He told them, “Be patient, O family of Yasir, for you are promised a home is
Paradise.”
In the narration of Kalbi it is reported that Abdullah, son of Yasir (Amar’s brother) was
also being tortured and that (his mother) Sumaya became a martyr when Abu Jahl
thrust his spear into the most private part of her body. Yasir was also martyred
during the torture and (his son) Abdullah was shot dead by an arrow fired at him.
Mujahid said, “The first martyr was Sumaya, the mother of Amar. She was martyred
during the very early days of Islam as Abu Jahl thrust his spear into the most private part
of her body.”
AMAR IS TORTURED UNTIL HE IS FORCED TO
UTTER THE WORDS OF DISBELIEF WHILE HIS
HEART REMAINED FIRM IN BELIEF
Abu Ubaydah, son of Muhammad, son of Amar narrates that the unbelievers captured
Amar and tortured him so brutally that (he could endure the extreme pain no longer and)
eventually forced to blaspheme against the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be
upon him, and to praise the gods of the unbelievers.
He went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, who asked what had
happened. He replied, “The worst thing indeed, O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace
be upon him, the unbelievers tortured me continuously so much so that I was forced to
blaspheme against you and to praise their gods.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and
peace be upon him, asked, “And what was the condition of your heart?” Amar replied, “I
find my heart is content with belief.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon
him, said, “If the unbelievers repeat their torture, you may repeat what you said (to save
your life).
Muhammad, son of Amar narrates that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be
upon him, met Amar and found him weeping. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace
be upon him, told him, “The unbelievers captured you and immersed you in water so
many times that you were forced to say certain things (words of disbelief). If they do so
again you may say the same thing to them again.”
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6. Ameerul Mu’minen, son of Maymoon narrates that the Messenger of Allah, praise and
peace be upon him, he passed by the unbelievers who had lit a fire and were burning
Amar with it. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, passed his hand
over the head of Amar, and said, “O fire, become cool and comfortable for Amar as you
became cool for Ibrahim.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, told
Amar that (he would not die from torture but that) a group of rebels would martyr him.
THE SUFFERING OF KHABAB, SON OF ARAT
Imam Sha’bi narrates that when Omar asked Khabab about the torture he suffered at the
hands of the unbelievers he replied, “O Prince of Believers, look at my back.” Omar said,
“I have never seen anything like this before.” Khabab told him, “They made a fire and
(threw me down on it) there was nothing to extinguish it.”
Abu Layla Kindi narrates that when Khabab went to Omar, Omar told those present to
allow him to come to the front and said, “Besides Amar, son of Yasir, there is none on
the surface of this earth who deserves to occupy this place more than you.” It was on
that occasion that Khabab showed Omar the scars on his back that were made through
the repeated suffering he received from the unbelievers.
Khabab said, “I was a blacksmith and ‘As, son of Wa’il owed me some money. When I
approached him to settle the debt, he said, “By Allah, I will never pay you until you
denounce Muhammad!” I replied, “Never, I swear by Allah that I will never denounce
Muhammad, even after you die and are resurrected.” ‘As retorted, “Then come to me
after I am dead and have been resurrected, there I shall have plenty of wealth and
children and I will pay you then.” Soon after the following verses were revealed:
‘Have you seen he who disbelieves Our verses and yet says,
'I shall surely be given wealth and children! '
Has he gained knowledge of the Unseen?
Or taken a covenant with the Merciful?
On the contrary,
We will write down what he says
and prolong the length of his punishment.
We shall inherit that of which he speaks
and he will come before Us alone.’ (Ch. 19:77-80)
Khabab narrates that he had approached the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be
upon him, as he lay in the shade of the Ka’bah using a shawl as a pillow. At that time the
Muslims were suffering from excessive torture at the hands of the unbelievers. He asked
the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, “Won’t you supplicate to Allah
(to stop these hardships)?” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, sat
up and his face turned red as he said, “Before you there were people whose flesh and
tissues were scraped to the bone with iron combs, but even that did not make them turn
away from their Religion. Without doubt, Allah will bring this Religion to its completion,
until a time comes when a lone rider will be able to travel from Sa’a to Hadramaut
fearing nothing except Allah and wolves attacking his goats, but you people want to
hasten it.”
THE HARDSHIPS ENDURE D BY ABU DHARR
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7. Abdullah, son of Abbas narrates that when Abu Dharr heard that Muhammad, son of
Abdullah had been sent as the Messenger of Allah, he said to his brother, “Ride to that
valley (Mecca) and find out for me about the man who claims that is the a Messenger
and that Revelation comes to him from the heavens. Listen to what he says and then
bring me news of it.” When he returned he told his brother that he had heard the
Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, teaching and noticed his fine
character, he also commented that he recited words that were not poetry (both Abu
Dharr and his brothers were poets). Abu Dharr said to his brother, “Your report does not
cover the information I need to know.” Thereupon, Abu Dharr took some provisions and
filled a water-skin to take with him on his journey to Mecca. When he entered the Sacred
Mosque he started to look for the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him,
but he was unable to locate him. Abu Dharr did not want to ask anyone about the
Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and when night fell, he lay down to
sleep. Ali saw him and realized he was a stranger (and offered to host him) so Abu
Dharr accepted and accompanied Ali; neither of them asked each other any questions
until morning.
Abu Dhar returned to the Sacred Mosque taking with him his water-skin and provisions
and spent the day there. However, evening arrived and he had still not seen the
Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. Abu Dharr went back to the place
where had intended to lie down the previous night and Ali saw him and said, “Has the
man not yet found his destination?” and helped him up and took him back to his home,
and once again neither of them questioned the other. The same thing happened on the
third day and once again Ali invited him to stay at his home, and asked “Won’t you tell
me what brings you here?” Abu Dharr replied, “I will tell you if you promise me you will
give me the right directive.” Ali agreed and Abu Dharr told him the purpose of his visit,
whereupon Ali said, “It is true he is the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon
him, tomorrow morning, follow me closely (but because of the hostilities towards the
followers of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him,) if I see anything
that might jeopardize your safety, I will stop and pretend to relieve myself (and you
should go on without me). When you see me continue to walk, start to follow me and
enter the place I enter.” Abu Dharr did this and followed Ali until they came to the
Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him and Ali and Abu Dharr entered
together.
Abu Dharr listened to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and
accepted Islam. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, told him to
return to his people and convey the message to them until he sent further instructions.
Abu Dharr said, “I swear by the One who controls my life that I shall shout it out aloud to
them.” Then Abu Dharr made his way to the Sacred Mosque where he announced at the
top of his voice, “I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is
the Messenger of Allah.” When the unbelievers heard his announcement, they set upon
him and beat him to the ground. Just then, Abbas arrived and threw himself between
Abu Dharr (to shield him) saying, “Fools, don’t you realize he belongs to the tribe of
Ghifar and that your traders have to pass them on the route you use to Al Sham?” (The
unbelievers heeded the warning) and Abbas saved Abu Dharr (from further assault). The
same thing happened the following day as Abu Dharr announced his conversion and
Abbas came to his rescue yet again (and saved him).
In the reference of Bukhari it is reported that Abu Dharr announced, “O assembly of
Koraysh, I bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the
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8. worshiper and Messenger of Allah.” The unbelievers shouted out, “Get that heretic!”
Then they beat him with the intent to kill him. When Abbas arrived he threw himself over
Abu Dharr and said to the Koraysh, “Fools, don’t you realize he belongs to the tribe of
Ghifar and that your traders have to pass them on the route you use to Al Sham?”
having heard that they left him alone. The same thing occurred on the third day, and
Abbas intervened yet again.
THE COURAGE OF ABU DHARR
Abu Dharr said that he stayed for a while in Mecca with the Messenger of Allah, praise
and peace be upon him, who taught him about Islam and that he learned some of the
recitation of the Koran. He said to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon
him, “I wish to declare my adherence to Islam in public.” The Messenger of Allah, praise
and peace be upon him, said, “I fear that you may be killed” but I insisted saying, “I have
to do it even if I am killed.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him,
remained silent, and he (Abu Dharr) proceeded. The members of the Koraysh were
sitting in various groups around the Sacred Mosque and talking together when I arrived
and announced, “I bear witness that there is no god and that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah. “
In his own words, Abu Dharr narrates, “The groups then broke up and the people began
to beat me until they left me like a red idol, thinking they had killed me. When I regained
consciousness, I went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. When
he saw my condition he said, “Did I not forbid you?” I replied, “O Messenger of Allah, it
was a need in my heart that I had to fulfill,” and I stayed with the Messenger of Allah,
praise and peace be upon him. One day he said to me, ‘Go back to your people and
come to me when you hear I am victorious.”
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