Wahshy ibn Harb

Wahshi ibn Harb
Born	c.629 C.E
Died	c.660 C.E. Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Nationality	Afro-Arabs

Wahshi ibn Harb was a slave of Jubayr ibn Mut'im and a Sahabi (companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad). He is best known for killing a leading Muslim general, Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, Muhammad's uncle, prior to accepting Islam, and afterwards killing Musaylimah, the leader of an enemy apostate army who were waging war against the Muslims.

Wahshi had been appointed by Hind bint Utbah to kill one of the three persons (Muhammad, Ali ibn Abi Talib, or Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib) so that she might avenge her father's death during the Battle of Badr.

Wahshi said in reply, "I cannot approach Muhammad at all, because his companions are nearer to him than anyone else. Ali too is extraordinarily vigilant in the battlefield. However, Hamza is so furious that, while fighting, he does not pay any attention to any other side and it is possible that I may be able to make him fall by some trick or by taking him unawares." Hind was content with this and promised that if he was successful in performing the job she would set him free. Some believe that Jubair made this promise to his slave (Wahshi) as his (Jubayr's) uncle had been killed in the Battle of Badr.

Wahshi went on to say, "On the Day of Uhud (625) I was pursuing Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib. He was attacking the centre of the army like a ferocious lion. He killed every one whom he could approach. I hid myself behind the trees and stones, so that he could not see me. He was too busy in fighting. I came out of ambush. Being an Ethiopian, I used to throw my weapon like Ethiopians and it never missed the target. I, therefore, threw my javelin towards him from a specific distance after moving it in a particular manner. The weapon fell on his flank and came out from between his two legs. He wanted to attack me but severe pain prevented him from doing so. He remained in the same condition till his soul departed from his body. Then I approached him very carefully and having taken out my weapon from his body returned to the army of Quraysh and waited for my freedom."

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