Durayd ibn al-Sima

The aged, blind veteran of Hawazin — a famed warrior-poet of the Jahiliyyah — brought to the Battle of Hunayn for his blessing and counsel, whose wise advice the young chieftain Malik ibn Awf ignored.

One-line: the blind old war-sage of Hunayn whose sound counsel was mocked by youth.

Role in the Seerah

Carried to the field despite his age and blindness, Durayd — hearing babies cry and flocks bleat — rebuked Malik for bringing the whole tribe: “Women, children and goats will not win a battle; only men with swords will. If you win you keep them anyway; if you lose, at least they are safe.” He urged retreat, or at least sending the families back to Ta’if’s fortress. Malik mocked him and, by emotional blackmail, silenced the doubters. Durayd’s warning proved exactly right. He was killed in the battle’s aftermath.

Character & lessons

The archetype of elderly wisdom vs. youthful zeal — “every society faces this.”

Cross-references

The Battle of Hunayn · Malik ibn Awf al-Nasri · Ta'if

Sources

• S011 — Yasir Qadhi Seerah EP 082. Ibn Ishaq/Ibn Hisham, al-Waqidi.