Bab Ma Wajada Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam 'ala Man Qutila bi Bir Ma'una wa Du'aihi 'ala Qatlatihim

In this passage, the topic revolves around what the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, found upon reaching the place where those killed at the Well of Ma'una were buried. It also discusses his supplications for those who were slain, the revelations sent down by Allah concerning them, and the visible signs involving 'Amir ibn Fuhayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).

Narrators

• Abu Al-Hasan: 'Ali ibn Ahmad ibn 'Abdan
• Ahmad ibn 'Ubayd As-Saffar
• Hisham ibn 'Ali
• Ibn Raja'
• Hamam
• Abu 'Abdullah Al-Hafiz
• Abu Al-Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Abdus
• Uthman ibn Sa'id
• Musa ibn Isma'il
• Ishaq ibn 'Abdullah ibn Abi Talhah
• Anas ibn Malik

Events

It is reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, sent his uncle Haram, whose real name was Haram ibn Milhan, a brother of Umm Sulaym, to an area with an additional seventy individuals.

The Event at Bir Ma'una

In a momentous incident at Bir Ma'una, the leader of the pagans was 'Amr ibn al-Tufayl. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encountered him and presented him with three options: to have the plainspeople be his subjects, the settlers be his allies, or to appoint him as his successor. 'Amr chose to attack with an army of one thousand red-haired men and one thousand fair-haired women. However, he was struck at the house of a woman from the tribe of Banu Fulan. 'Amr, realizing his impending death, asked for his horse, mounted it, and succumbed while on its back.

The Departure of Haram bint Milhan

After 'Amr's demise, Haram bint Milhan set out with two men: one lame and another from the tribe of Banu Fulan. They stayed close until meeting the Prophet (peace be upon him), who asked for their safety.

Interpretation of Names

Scholars have debated over the name of Haram bint Milhan, suggesting variations like Sahla, Ramila, or Malikah. The authentic narration specifies "riding." The "plainspeople" refer to residents of the countryside, while the "settlers" are urban dwellers.

The Incident of Bi'r Ma'una

In this incident, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent a group to a tribe, but they were betrayed and killed except for one who was able to escape to the mountains. The Prophet prayed against the perpetrators for thirty mornings.

Key Points:

• Group sent by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was killed, except for one.
• The Prophet prayed against the killers for thirty mornings.

Hadith Details:

Narrated by Anas ibn Malik, the incident is documented in Sahih al-Bukhari. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed against the perpetrators for thirty mornings. This is considered a valid Hadith.

Revelation of the Quran in Ma'oonah, and the Story of Ri'al and Dhu Kwan

According to classical Islamic texts, Allah revealed the Quran concerning those who were killed at the well of Ma'oonah, after they had conveyed the message that they had met their Lord and were pleased with Him, and He was pleased with them. The hadith narrates a story about thirty men, including Ri'al, Dhu Kwan, Bani Lihyan, and 'Ussayyah, upon whom the Quran was revealed due to their disobedience to Allah and His Messenger.

Source and Transmission of the Hadith

Imam Bukhari and Muslim documented this account through Isma'il ibn Abi Uways and Yahya ibn Yahya, respectively. The chain of narration includes Abu 'Amr Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullah Al-Basri, Abu Bakr Al-Ismaili, Ahmad Ibn Al-Husayn Ibn Nasr Al-Hadtha' Al-Askari, 'Abdullah Al-A'la, Yazid Ibn Zurai', and Sa'id from Qatadah from Anas Ibn Malik.

The Battle and Prophet Muhammad's Response

The incident occurred when the men sought help from Prophet Muhammad against an enemy. The Prophet sent seventy Ansars to aid them. These men were known as "the reciters" in their time, as they would fast during the day and pray at night. However, the group was betrayed and killed at the well of Ma'oonah, prompting Prophet Muhammad to pray a month-long Qunut supplication during Fajr prayer for the deceased individuals, including Ri'al, Dhu Kwan, 'Ussayyah, and Bani Lihyan.

Conclusion

According to Anas Ibn Malik, they recited the Quran for these men, and it was lifted with the verse: "Convey to our people that indeed we met our Lord and He is pleased with us, and we are pleased with Him." (Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Hadith 2814; Muslim, Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer, Hadith 297).

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Hadith Narration: This hadith is reported by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih from 'Abd al-A'la ibn Hammad.

Chain of Transmission:

1. Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us.
2. Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub relayed to us.
3. Muhammad ibn Ishaq Al-Saghani told us.
4. Affan narrated to us.
5. Sulaiman ibn Al-Mughirah narrated from Thabit who said:

Content of the Hadith: Anas wrote a book to his family and said: "Bear witness O people of the Quran." He felt reluctant to name them, so he said, "Should I not inform you about your brothers whom we used to invite during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?" Anas mentioned seventy men from the Ansar who used to go to a teacher in Al-Madinah at night to study. In the morning, those who had strength would collect firewood, those with provisions would bring food, and they would maintain their flock. The book was hung on a pillar of the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). When Hubyb was martyred, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent them, and there were those who did not have any forbidden wealth. They reached a settlement of Banu Sulaim where Harâm said to their chief: "Leave me so I may inform these men that we have no desire in them, lest they turn their faces away." Harâm went to them and conveyed the message, but one of them attacked him with a spear, and Harâm cried: "Allahu Akbar! I have attained success and by the Lord of the Ka'bah." They attacked them, and none escaped. Anas said, "Whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prayed Fajr, he would raise his hands and supplicate against them." Later, Abu Talhah asked if there was anyone forbidden to be killed, to which Anas replied in the negative. Abu Talhah said: "Do not do so, for he has embraced Islam."

Source: Al-Bukhari, from 'Abd al-A'la ibn Hammad - Book of Battles, Chapter The Invasion of Al-Raji', Hadith #4090 - Fath Al-Bari, Vol. 7, p. 385.

Transmission of Sacred Knowledge

By Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abdan

Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abdan reported to us, saying: Ahmad ibn Ubayd informed us, saying: Ubayd ibn Shareek narrated to us, saying: Ibn Abi Maryam reported to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Ja'far relayed to us, saying: Humaid heard that Anas ibn Malik said:

A group of the Ansar youth used to listen to the Quran, then they would disperse in a corner of the city of Madinah. Their families thought they were in the mosque and the people in the mosque thought they were with their families. They would pray at night until dawn approached, some of them would do ablution while others fetched fresh water. Then they would return until they put their garments and wraps on and gathered at the doors of the Prophet's chamber. The Prophet sent them to Bi'r Ma'unah, and they were all martyred. The Prophet prayed for those who killed them for fifteen nights.

By Abu al-Husayn ibn Bishran

Abu al-Husayn ibn Bishran from Baghdad reported to us, saying: Isma'il ibn Muhammad al-Saffar said: Sa'dan ibn Nasr informed us, saying: Mu'adh ibn Mu'adh al-'Anbari reported to us, saying: Sulayman al-Taymi narrated to us. Isma'il said: Muhammad ibn Abdul Malik al-Daqiqi narrated to us, saying: Yazid ibn Harun informed us, saying: Sulayman reported from Abu Majlaz, from Anas ibn Malik, that the Messenger of Allah prayed Qunut in the Fajr prayer for a month invoking against certain tribes, saying: "O Allah! They disobeyed Allah and His Messenger."

In another narration from Mu'adh: the Messenger of Allah prayed Qunut for a month after bowing in the prayer, invoking against [the tribes], a common wording during obedience, standing, humility, silence, and more.

God Almighty said: "Indeed, Abraham was a nation who was obedient to Allah, [and] was prompt in complying with His commands. Who is obedient and obedient to God at all hours of the night? And who among you is obedient to God?" And, "O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord, and prostrate and bow down with those who bow [in prayer]." (Quran, various verses)

Translation of the Classical Arabic Text

Names and Lineage: Hayyan from the Bani Sulaym. They narrated it in Sahih from the hadith of Sulaiman at-Taymi.

Abu 'Amr al-Bistami informed us, saying: Abu Bakr al-Isma'ili reported to us, saying: Abu [...] each of them has a devout nature. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The best prayer is lengthy Qunoot," narrated by Muslim in the Night Prayer.

Abu Dawood reported in the Book of Witr, and Imam Ahmad in his "Musnad" from Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made consecutive Qunoot for a month in Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers.

Muslim narrated in the chapter on the recommendation of Qunoot in all prayers, Abu Dawood in the chapter on Qunoot in prayers, An-Nasai in the chapter on Qunoot in the Maghrib prayer, At-Tirmidhi in the chapter on what came regarding Qunoot in Fajr, and Imam Ahmad in his "Musnad" from the hadith of Bara' bin Azib - may Allah be pleased with him - "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would not pray a prescribed prayer without making Qunoot in it."

Scholars unanimously agreed to leave Qunoot without a reason in four prayers: Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. Some of them believed that there was a reason behind the Qunoot of the Prophet, which has been abrogated, indicated by the hadith of Bara' bin Azib.

Abdul Razzaq in his "Musannaf," Imam Ahmad in his "Musnad," Ad-Darqutni in his "Sunan," Ishaq ibn Rahawayh in his "Musnad," and Al-Hakim in his "Mustadrak" narrated from Anas that the Prophet (peace be upon him) made Qunoot for a month praying against them, then left it, except in the Fajr prayer where he continued making Qunoot until he passed away.

Note:

The hadith was narrated by Al-Bukhari in Book 14, Chapter 7, Hadith 1003, "The Qunoot before and after Ruku," in Fath Al-Bari by Ahmad ibn Yunus from Zaidah, from Sulaiman at-Taymi, from Abu Majlaz, from Anas, and also by Al-Bukhari in Book 64, Chapter on the expedition of Raji', from Muhammad ibn Muqatil, from Ibn al-Mubarak, from Sulaiman at-Taymi. It was also reported by Muslim in Book 5, Chapter 54, Hadith 299, on the recommendation of Qunoot in all prayers when calamity befalls the Muslims, from Ubaidullah ibn Mu'adh al-Anbari, Abu Kurayb, Ishaq ibn Ibrahim, and Muhammad ibn Abd al-A'la from Mu'tamar ibn Sulaiman, from his father, from Abu Majlaz, from Anas.

Story of Abu Bakr's Request for Permission to Leave Mecca

Abdullah al-Sufi said: Khalaf, the son of Salim, narrated to us, and he said: Abu Usama reported to us, saying: Abu Bakr told us, and Ibn Najiyah informed us saying, Ibn Yahya ibn Saeed narrated to us, and Abu Usama said: Hisham reported to us, from Urwa, from his father, from Aisha, she said: Abu Bakr sought permission from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to leave Mecca when he faced severe persecution. The Prophet said to him: "Stay". Abu Bakr asked: "O Messenger of Allah, are you hopeful that permission will be granted to you?" The Prophet replied: "Indeed, I hope so." Abu Bakr waited for him. The Prophet came to him one day at noon, and called out to him saying: "Bring out the two with you." Abu Bakr responded: "They are my two daughters." The Prophet asked: "Are you aware that permission has been granted for me to go out?" Abu Bakr replied: "O Messenger of Allah, companionship!" The Prophet said: "Companionship." Abu Bakr said: "I have two she-camels which I had prepared for the journey." So the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, took one of them, which was named al-Jada, and they mounted until they reached the cave, and Abu Bakr concealed the Prophet, who was with him, in it. Amr ibn Fuhayrah was a servant of Abdullah ibn Ufayl ibn Sahbarah, Aisha's brother by her mother's side, and she had a milking sheep which they used to milk day and night, and he would frequently bring the milk to them and then go back without being noticed by anyone of the people. When he went out with them, he followed them until they reached Medina.

The Tragic Ending

Amr ibn Fuhayrah was killed at the Well of Mauna, and Amr ibn Umayyah al-Damri was captured. Amr ibn Ufayl asked: "Who is this?" pointing towards the dead man. Amr ibn Umayyah replied: "This is Amr ibn Fuhayrah." He said: "After he was killed, his body was lifted up to the sky, so much so that I could see the sky between him and the earth." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, informed them of the incident, consoled them, and said: "Your companions have been struck, and they have asked their Lord: 'Inform our brethren about us that we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us.' So Allah informed them about them. Among them injured that day were Urwah ibn Asma and Mundhir ibn Amr." This hadith was narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, from Ubayd ibn Isma'il, from Abu Usama.

Translation

Until his statement: 'Amer ibn Fuhayrah was killed on the day of Bi'r Ma'unah. Then he said: From Abu Usamah, he said: Hisham ibn 'Urwah informed me that my father informed me: When those at Bi'r Ma'unah were killed, and 'Amr ibn Umayyah al-Damri was captured, Amer ibn al-Tufayl said to him: He mentioned it similar to how we mentioned it and he added: Then he was executed. I said: This is the narration of Hisham ibn 'Urwah from his father regarding Amer ibn Fuhayrah, that he was raised and then executed. And Abu 'Abdullah al-Hafiz informed us saying: Abu 'Abdullah al-Asbahani informed us saying: Al-Hasan ibn al-Jahm told us that Al-Husayn ibn al-Faraj told us that Al-Waqidi said: Mus'ab ibn Thabit informed me, from Abu al-Aswad, from 'Urwah who said: Al-Mundhir ibn 'Amr came out and mentioned the story, and in it Amer ibn al-Tufayl said to 'Amr ibn Umayyah: Do you recognize your companions? He said: Yes, then he scrutinized them, meaning the dead, asking about their lineage. He said: Do you miss anyone? He said: I miss the freedman of Abu Bakr called Amer ibn Fuhayrah. He said: How was he among you? I said he was among our best. He said: Shall I inform you about him? and pointed him to a man saying: He stabbed him with his lance, then pulled it out and the man ascended so high in the sky that I could no longer see him. 'Amr said: So I said: That is Amer ibn Fuhayrah, and the one who killed him was a man from the Kilab tribe called Jabbār ibn Salmā. He mentioned that when he stabbed him, I heard him saying: I have succeeded, and I wondered what he meant by "I have succeeded." I went to Dihhak ibn Sufyan al-Kilabi and informed him, and asked him about his saying: I have succeeded. He said: Paradise. He then presented Islam to me and I embraced it due to what I saw of the killing of Amer ibn Fuhayrah, and his ascension to the sky, and Dihhak wrote to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that the angels had shaded his body and two cloths were brought down.

I said: It is possible that he was raised and then executed, and was then lost after that because the angels shaded his body. We have been narrated a similar incident in the campaigns of Musa ibn 'Uqba, in this story. 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr said: The body of Amer was not found where it was claimed that the angels had shaded him.

Sources

An excerpt from the book "Al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah" by Ibn Kathir.