Zish Shamalain
Zish Shamalain Umair bin Abd Amr Al Khuza'i also Zu Shamalin bin Abd Amroo (ذو الشمالين عمير بن عبد عمرو الخزاعی) was a Makkan companion of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, among the first Muslims known as Sabiqun Al Awwalun. He was a Badry martyr who sacrificed his life in the Battle of Badr Al Kubra also known as Ghazwat Badr or The Battle of Badr.
Zish Shamalain bin Abd Amr | |
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| Nickname(s) | Zish Shamalain |
| Born | c.590 CE Mecca, Saudi Arabia |
| Died | 13 March 624 (aged 29–30) The wells of Badr, in the Battle of Badr also known as Al Badr al Kubra |
| Buried | Martyrs cemetery of the Battle of Badr |
| Allegiance | Islam |
| Service/ | Prophetic Army |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Badr (624) |
Early life
His father Abd Amro left his tribe to settle in Makkah. In Makkah he developed good relations with the tribe of Abd Al Harith bin Zahra as a result of which Abd al Harith gave his daughter Ni'ma in marriage to Abd Amro. As a result of this union Umair Zish Shamaleyn was born in 594 AD.
He was named Umair, Kunniyah Abu Muhammad, title Zi Shamaleyn. His lineage was Umair the son of Abd Amro the son Nazla the son of Amro the son of Ghabshan the son of Salim the son of Malik the son of Isa the son of Harisa Amro the son of Amir Al Khaza’i
Conversion and Hijrat
Little is known about his conversion to Islam, but he accepted Islam before the Hijra. After his conversion he migrated to Madinah (known as Hijra) and became a guest of Sa’ad bin Khuseymah. Muhammad made him a Mawakhat brother of Yazeed bin Harith. Bin Harith gave his daughter in marriage to Umair from whom he had a son and a daughter named Umair and Rayta respectively, hence title Ze Shamaleyn.
Hadith
Sunan Nasai, Book of Sahu, Hadith no. 1229 and 1231.[1]
— Sunan an-Nasa'i Book 13 Hadith 1231
Quranic Ayat
Muhammad gave his sermons irrespective of cast, creed or wealth. The chieftains and rich among the Meccans, namely both sons of Rabia i.e. Atabah and Sheba, Mata’am the son Adi, Harith son of Nofil, Qarta son of Umro and the Chieftains of Abd Manaf all gathered and went to Abu Talib requesting Shamalain to ask Muhammad to distance himself from common poor folk and the miserable, as only then would they visit his gatherings. They told Abu Talib that if Muhammad were to do so they would have great respect for him, visit his sermons and maybe understand his teachings. Abu Talib took their message to Muhammad. Umar Al Khattab commented that nothing was wrong with their demand and that Muhammad should accept this. This incident inspired Ayat 6:53. The poorest companions that the racist and rich chieftains wanted to discard in addition to Amro Zish Shamalain were Bilal, Ammar, Salim Sabih, Masood and Ibn Masood, Miqdad, Waqid and Yazeed.[2]
وَكَذَٰلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لِيَقُولُوا أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ بَيْنِنَا ۗ أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِالشَّاكِرِينَ
(6:53) And thus We have tried some of them through others that the disbelievers might say, “Is it these whom Allah has favored among us?” Is not Allah most knowing of those who are grateful?— Quran 6:53
Martyrdom
After Shamalain came to Madina he participated in the Battle of Badr Al Kubra. This was his first and last Ghazwa.[3] In this battle he sacrificed his life for Islam and became a Badry martyr, a holiness shared by only fourteen others. It is said that his Yazid bin Harith didn't leave him even in death and both were martyred together in the battle. Shamalain was only 30 at the time of his martyrdom.[4] He was martyred at the hands of Abu Usama Jushmi and his pact brother Yazid bin Harith.[5]
References
- Sunan an-Nasa'i Book 13 Hadith 1231
- Quran 6:53
- Asad al-Ghabah: 2/141
- Tabriers Ibn Saad Soomro 2 Page 269- Publisher: Dar-ul-Shsh Urdu Urdu Karachi Karachi
- Shoq e Shahdat. Muhammad Ubaid Ar Rahman page 149.