Abu Dujana, Stories of The Sahaba

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Upto 50% Off Sale Now On![Ibn Hisham Vol. 2 pg.68-69] Describing the same
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Abu DujanaAbu Dujana raising a sword over the parting of
Amongst the Lions of Allah was a companion byHind bint 'Utba's hair but then he moved it away. I
the name of Abu Dujana Sammak bin Kharshasaid to myself, 'Allah and His Messenger know
(r.a.a). He was from the Ansar and acceptedbest.' (i.e. why he didn't kill her)." [Ibn Hisham Vol. 2
Islam early in the Prophet's (s.a.w) mission. He waspg. 69]
known for his piety and strength and bravery inBefore the battle of Uhud began, the Prophet
Jihad. Wherever we find his name in the books of(s.a.w) had ordered a group of archers to remain
Sunnah, he can be found fighting for the Deen ofon one side of a mountain to offer protection to
Allah.the rear of the Muslim army. However, when the
During the battle of Uhud, the second mostMuslims started to defeat their enemies, forty of
significant battle (after the victory of Badr), thethe archers raced down the mountain in order to
Prophet (s.a.w) urged his Companions to fight andreceive their share of the war booty. The Quraish
spurred them to show stamina and steadfastnessused this opportunity to circle back and attack the
in the Jihad. He started to implant the spirit ofrear of the Muslim army. They even got close
boldness and bravery in them. To wage andenough to attack to Holy Prophet (s.a.w) himself,
inflame them and maintain their zeal in the fight,injuring him severely. During those awkward
he (s.a.w) drew his sword, held it in his hand andmoments of the Messenger of Allah's (s.a.w) life, a
called out to his Sahaba and said, "Who is readygroup of Muslim heroes gathered around the
to take this sword and fulfill it's right?" ManyProphet (s.a.w) forming a shield to protect him
notable Sahaba set out to take it. Amongst themfrom the Kuffar. Among them was Abu Dujana.
were 'Ali bin Abi Talib, Az-Zubair bin Al-'AwwamHe stood before the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w),
and 'Umar bin Al-Khattab. But it was granted toshielding him from the arrows with his back. While
none of them. Abu Dujana stood and inquired, "Othese assaults on the Prophet's (s.a.w) life
Messenger of Allah, what is its price?" Thecontinued, Uthman ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Mugheerah
Prophet (s.a.w) said, "It is to strike the enemy's(one of the enemy) approached him and tried to
faces with it until it breaks!" So Abu Dujana said,kill him. But Al-Harith bin As-Simma came to his
"O Messenger of Allah, I will take it for that price."defense and sliced into Uthman's leg making him
and he was given the sword.fall to the ground. Then Al-Harith killed him. But
Abu Dujana was a man of courage who used toanother Makkan horseman, called 'Abdullah bin
stand proud and brave in war. He had a redJabir, attacked Al-Harith bin As-Simma, and cut
headband that he wore round his head. Wheneverdeeply into his shoulder with his sword and he
he was head-banded everybody knew that he(al-Harith) was carried to the camp of the Muslims
was determined to fight to death. Therefore assuffering from serious wounds. Soon afterwards,
soon as Abu Dujana took the Prophet's (s.a.w)Abu Dujana, with his red headband and the
sword, he banded his head and started struttingProphet's (s.a.w) sword, came upon 'Abdullah bin
proudly amongst the Mujahideen. Upon seeing this,Jabir and cut his head off with a single stroke.
the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said, "This is a sortDuring the confusion caused by the archers'
of walking that Allah detests except in such amistake of abandoning their post, many Sahaba
situation (Jihad)." Then the fighting began. In thiswere martyred. So Quraish started to mutilate
battle, countless acts of courage can be notedtheir bodies to appease their pride over their
from several of the Sahaba. Abu Dujana,defeat at Badr. Ka'b bin Masaid, "I was one of
recognized by the red band worn round his head,those Muslims who fought in Uhud and witnessed
came forth, fighting with the sword of thethe
Prophet (s.a.w). He was determined to pay itsKuffar's act of barbarity in mutilating the dead
price at all costs. He slaughtered all the idolatersbodies, but I left this sight because I couldn't
that stood on his way splitting and dispersing theirstand it. Then I saw an armed stout mushrik pass
ranks. Az-Zubair bin Al-'Awwam said, "I felt angrythrough the Muslims and say, 'Gather them up like
and discouraged when the Messenger of Allahsheep are gathered and slaughtered!' Similarly I
(s.a.w) refused to give me the sword but insteadsaw an armed Muslim waiting for him. I walked
gave it to Abu Dujana. I said to myself, 'I am histowards them till I stood behind him (the Muslim).
paternal cousin. I am the cousin of his aunt Safiya.Comparing both of them, I considered that the
Also, I am from his tribe (Quraish). Besides, I wasKafir was superior to the other in arms and size. I
the first who demanded it and yet he favouredkept on watching them while they engaged in
him to me. By Allah, I will watch how he will use it.'man-to-man combat. The Muslim raised his sword
So I followed him and saw him take out his redup and swung it down hard on the Kafir, so
band and wear it round his head. Seeing him likeforcefully that the blade went down his hip and
that, the Ansar said, 'Abu Dujana has worn thesplit him in half. When the Muslim unveiled his face,
red band of death.' Then he (Abu Dujana) set outhe looked at me and said, "What do you think of
saying loudly (in the form of poetry), 'I am thethat, Ka'b? I am Abu Dujana."
one whom my intimate friend [the ProphetAfter the battle concluded, in the evening of that
(s.a.w)] made covenant with, when we wereday (i.e. Saturday, the seventh of Shawwal, 3rd
under the palm-trees on the mountain side. Theyear A.H.), the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) arrived
covenant was that I would not fight at the rear,in Madinah. As soon as he reached his house, he
but fight at the front heroically with the sword ofhanded his sword to his daughter Fatimah and
Allah and His Messenger.'said, "O daughter, wash the blood off this sword.
During this battle no one stood the way of AbuBy Allah, it has been helpful to me today." 'Ali bin
Dujana and remained alive. There was a manAbi Talib also handed her his sword and said, "And
among the idolaters whose only objective was towash the blood of this sword too. By Allah, it has
finish off the wounded Muslims. During the fight,been helpful to me today." So the Messenger of
Abu Dujana approached that man; so I (Az-ZubairAllah (s.a.w) said, "Sahl bin Haneef and Abu Dujana
bin Al-'Awwam) implored Allah thathave been as courageous as you are in the Jihad."
 they might engage in combat. They did startAfter the death of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w),
fighting and exchanged two sword-strokes. Theduring the Khalifah of Abu Bakr (r.a.a), Abu Dujana
idolater swung at Abu Dujana, but he escaped itfought until he was Shaheed (martyred) against
and the sword pierced into his (Abu Dujana's)the army of Musailima al-Kathab [the Liar who
leather shield. The idolater's sword now stuck toclaimed Prophethood in the lifetime of the Prophet
his shield, Abu Dujana lunged at that Kafir with his(s.a.w) and made war against his Sahaba when
sword and killed him. Then into the thick of theAbu Bakr was Khalifah.] To us, his life is a legacy
battle, he rushed to kill a person who was incitingof sacrifice and lessons of bravery and fierceness
the enemy to fight the Muslims. Upon this theagainst Kufr. And to the soldiers of Allah who
person shrieked and lo! it was a woman. Abuwear the "red band of death" in our time, he is
Dujana spared her saying, 'I respect the Prophet'sthe epitome of a true Mujahid. May the mercy of
(s.a.w) sword too much to use it on a woman.'Allah be upon Abu Dujana and may He guide our
The woman was Hind bint 'Utbah (the wife ofMuslim youth towards the example he left behind.
Abu Sufyan who was leading the Quraish army