(Friday Sermon - January 25, 2019 )

Background and Participation in Battles

Hazrat Sulaim^(ra) bin Milhan Ansari’s mother was Mulaika bint Malik. He was the maternal uncle of Hazrat Anas^(ra) bin Malik and the brother of Hazrat Umme Haram^(ra) and Hazrat Umme Sulaim^(ra). Hazrat Umme Haram was the wife of Hazrat Ubadah^(ra) bin Samit, while Hazrat Umme Sulaim^(ra) was the wife of Hazrat Abu Talha Ansari^(ra). Her son Hazrat Anas^(ra) bin Malik used to serve the Holy Prophet^(sa). He [i.e. Hazrat Sulaim^(ra) bin Milhan Ansari] participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud along with his brother Hazrat Haram^(ra) bin Milhan. Both of them were martyred during the incident of Bi’r-e-Ma‘unah. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 2, p. 546, Sulaim^(ra) bin Milhan, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 391, Sulaim^(ra) bin Milhan, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)

Martyrdom at the Incident of Bi’r-e-Ma‘unah

In the 36th month after the migration of the Messenger (sa) of Allah, during the month of Safar, Hazrat Munzir^(ra) bin Amar as-Saa‘idi went on a military campaign. Aamir bin Ja‘far came to the Messenger of Allah (sa) and wanted to give a gift to him but he refused to take it. The Holy Prophet^(sa) invited him to accept Islam. However, he neither accepted Islam, nor distanced himself from it. Aamir requested, “If you would send some of your companions with me to go to my people, it is hoped that they would accept your call to faith.” The Holy Prophet^(sa) said, “I fear that the people of Najd may harm them.” Upon this, he replied, “If anyone comes to confront them, I would provide them security.” The Holy Prophet^(sa) sent seventy young men along with him, who were referred to as qaris. Hazrat Munzir^(ra) bin Amr as-Sa’idi was appointed as their leader. This incident has been narrated before as well.

When these people reached a place called Bi’r-e-Ma‘unah, which was a mountain pass near the Bani Sulaim, situated in between the land belonging to Banu Aamir and Banu Sulaim, they camped there and tied their camels. Firstly, he sent Hazrat Haram^(ra) bin Milhan to Aamir bin Tufail after conveying to him the message of the Holy Prophet^(sa). He did not even read the message of the Holy Prophet^(sa) and attacked and martyred Hazrat Haram^(ra) bin Milhan. Following this, he called for Bani Aamir to fight the Muslims. However, they refused to listen to him. Subsequently, he called for the tribes of Sulaim bin Usayya, Zakwan and Ri’l. These people set off with him and appointed him as their leader. When Hazrat Haram was delayed, the Muslims went after him. After crossing a short distance, they encountered the group that was approaching to attack them. They encircled the Muslims, who were outnumbered by them. They fought and the companions of the Holy Prophet^(sa) were martyred. When Hazrat Sulaim^(ra) bin Milhan and Hakam bin Kaisan from among the Muslims were encircled, they said “O Allah! We do not find anyone beside You, who could convey our Salam [Islamic greeting of peace] to Your Prophet^(sa). Therefore, convey our Salam to him.” When Gabriel informed the Holy Prophet^(sa) of this, he said

وَعَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَام

That is, “And may peace be on them.” Munzir bin Amr said to them, “If you wish, we will make you a peace offering.” However, they refused. They moved to the location where Hazrat Haram was martyred and fought them until they were martyred. The Holy Prophet^(sa) said that they stepped forward in order to die. That is, they stepped forward knowing that death was approaching. (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 2, pp. 39-40, Sirya Al-Munzir bin Amr^(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)

They fought the enemy with great courage despite not having the adequate equipment for battle and despite the fact they had not set out to engage in battle.