Wahshi ibn Harb (ra)
Abyssinian javelin-thrower who killed Hamzah; later a Muslim.
Hijri 3–9 AH CE 625–630 CE
Abyssinian javelin-thrower who killed Hamzah at Uhud for his freedom, later embraced Islam, and slew the false prophet Musaylimah as his expiation.
Identity & lineage
- An Abyssinian slave of Jubayr ibn Mut’im (son of Mut’im ibn Adi).
- An expert with the javelin/spear, throwing in the Abyssinian style.
Role in the Seerah
- Recruited as an assassin at Uhud: Jubayr promised him freedom if he killed Hamzah — revenge, because Hamzah had killed Jubayr’s uncle Tu’aymah at Badr.
Key episodes
- Uhud: Wahshi stalked Hamzah through the battle, then hurled his javelin, striking him through the gap in his armor from behind — killing Hamzah, and earning his freedom. He later preserved the account in the first person as a Muslim.
- Conversion (9 AH): he was on the Prophet’s ﷺ short proscription list at the Conquest and fled to Ta’if, converting only a year later as part of the Ta’if delegation. Coming cloaked to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he accepted Islam; asked to recount how he killed Hamzah, the Prophet ﷺ wept and told him, “I have forgiven you — but hide your face from me” — so Wahshi never sat in his presence again.
- Musaylimah: at the Battle of Yamama (11 AH) Wahshi killed the false prophet Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab with the same spear, calling it his kaffarah (expiation).
Character & lessons
- A vivid case of a grievous sin met with sincere repentance and acceptance. He struggled with drink and repented at the end of his life.
Death
- Died a Muslim (later, in Syria per tradition); details beyond S007’s scope.
Cross-references
- Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib (ra) · The Battle of Uhud · The Battle of Badr · The Conquest of Makkah · Muhammad ﷺ · The Incident of Ta'if · Hind bint Utba (rha)
Sources
- S007 — Yasir Qadhi, Seerah of Prophet Muhammad EP 041–050 (Uhud; the killing of Hamzah).
- S010 — Yasir Qadhi Seerah EP 079 (the proscription list; flight to Ta’if; conversion & “hide your face”).
- Classical: Ibn Ishaq/Ibn Hisham, Sirat Rasul Allah (Wahshi’s first-person Uhud account); al-Waqidi, Kitab al-Maghazi; also reported in Sahih al-Bukhari (killing of Hamzah).