The Story of Wahshi Ibn Harb (ra)

𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒇; 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 ...

Fear not, they said. The Prophetﷺ does not harm envoys. So, Wahshi Ibn Harb(ra) accompanied the delegation sent from Taif. Wahshi(ra) knew he had done wrong. By his own hand and spear did the Prophet’s uncle Hamza(ra), fall at Uhud. Yet when he made the deal with Jubayr ibn Mut’im, little did he realise the enormity of his actions, save that it was a life for his life – a means to his freedom. But as awareness sunk in and Islam spread reaching Makkah, Wahshi(ra) soon fled to Taif in refuge. 

Yet how remorseful he stood now before the Prophetﷺ, eager to embrace the faith.

Heﷺ said, “Are you Wahshi?”

“Yes,” he replied quietly.

The Prophetﷺ asked; “Was it you who killed Hamza?”

A cold shiver ran down his spine. Wahshi(ra) hung his head. “What happened is what you have been told of.” Still, the merciful Prophetﷺ welcomed and accepted Wahshi’s(ra) Islam with all past wrongs forgiven. But the human Prophetﷺ grieved for an Uncle whose memory still lay fresh. Time was needed. Thinking best for them both, the Prophetﷺ said to Wahshi(ra); “Can you hide your face from me?” [Bukhari]

So Wahshi(ra) never came in front of the Prophetﷺ. But the healing sands of time were soon overtaken by death of the Prophetﷺ and with it came great fitna; true faces emerged amongst some people. 11 armies did Caliph Abu Bakr(ra) send out across Arabia to curb the rebel tribes who refused to pay zakat or else, claimed prophethood.

Taif were among those loyal to the Prophetﷺ, as too was Wahshi Ibn Harb(ra), steadfast in deen. Though his sins before Islam were forgiven Wahshi’s(ra) conscience weighed heavy on his soul. Now came a chance to make amends. He would go out against Musaylamah the liar, the false prophet. Joining Khalid Ibn al Walid’s(ra) army he set out for Yamama. Defeating them in the battlefield, Wahshi(ra) found Musaylamah dishevelled, foaming at the mouth in rage, hiding in a garden. Wahshi(ra) let loose his lance and struck his chest before an Ansari beside him just as eager to pounce. 

So did Wahshi Ibn Harb(ra) strike down one of the best of men in his days of Jahiliyyah; but by the same spear did he strike down the worst of men in his days of Islam and redeem himself.

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