THE STORY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD - The Heartbreaking Bi’ru Ma’unah Tragedy

In the month of Safar in the 4th year of Hijrah, in addition to the Ar Raji tragedy that occurred in that month, there was also a more heartbreaking tragedy that also happened that month, the Bi'ru Ma'unah tragedy. This event began with the request of Abu Barra' ibn ‘Amir ibn Malik who was a spear expert. He met Prophet Muhammad in Medina. Prophet Muhammad offered Islam to him and preached him. Abu Barra' refused to convert to Islam but he still supported Islam. He said, "If there are your friends who can be sent to Najd and invite them to accept your religion, I hope that they will accept it". Prophet Muhammad said, "I am worried if the people of Najd can do evil to my friends at any time". Of course this concern is based on the events that befell Khubaib and his friends during the Ar Raji tragedy. Abu Barra’ said," I will provide protection for them. Then send them to deliver your message to the people there".

Abu Barra' is a person who is adhered to in his community and his words are heard by them. Whoever has been given protection by him, he will not worry about getting an attack from another party.

So Rasulullah sent Al Mundzir ibn Amr from Banu Saidah who led forty people of the Companions of the Prophet who were the chosen and best people of the Muslims. Then they left until the journey arrived at Bi'ru Maunah, located between the areas of Banu Amir and Banu Sulaim, and they stopped at that place. Then they sent Haram ibn Milhan to deliver Rasulullah's letter to the enemy of Allah, Amir ibn At Tufail. When Haram ibn Milhan arrived there, Amir ibn At Tufail did not open the Prophet's letter, but instead killed Haram ibn Milhan. It is said, Haram had said, "Allah is Great, I have been fortunate for the sake of (Allah) the Lord of Ka'bah (Kaaba)".

Amir ibn At Tufail provoked his people, the Banu Amir, to attack the representatives of Rasulullah, but they refused his orders. They said, "We will never betray Abu Barra's promise." Indeed there is an agreement that Abu Barra' to protect the representatives of Rasulullah, but Amir ibn At Tufail did not give up. He continued to provoke the tribes of the Banu Sulaim like Usaiyyah, Ri'l, and Dzakawan to attack the representatives of Rasulullah and apparently they welcomed him. Then there was a battle between them and the representatives of the Prophet. All envoys were killed except Ka'ab ibn Zaid of the Banu Dinar An-Najjar, because the tribes of the Banu Sulaim left him in a state between life and death. Ka'ab ibn Zaid was seriously injured but still alive. Ka'ab ibn Zaid who still survived returned to Medina. He was just martyred during the Khandaq war.

There were two Muslims named Amr ibn Umaiyyah Adh Dhamri and one of the Ansar from Banu Amr ibn Auf named Al Mundzir ibn Muhammad. They did not know about the calamity that had befallen the companions of the Prophet until they saw birds flying above the place of tragedy. Both of them said, "By Allah, the presence of these birds signifies something". Then the two walked to the location to find out what had really happened. When they saw the Prophet's representatives covered in blood while their horses stood up, then Al Mundzir said to Amr ibn Umaiyyah, "What do you think?". Amr ibn Umaiyyah said, "I think that we should immediately approach Rasulullah to explain what we have seen". Al Mundzir ibn Muhammad said, "While I am happy with the place where the death of Al Mundzir ibn Amr and what happened to me will surely be notified by the people". After that, the friend of the Ansar fought the tribes of the Banu Sulaim until they were killed, while Amr ibn Umaiyyah was arrested. When Amr ibn Umaiyyah told them that he was from Mudhar, Amir ibn At Tufail freed him and shaved his head on his head.

When Amr ibn Umaiyyah walked, on the way he met two people from the Banu Amir. The two men stopped by at Amr ibn Umaiyyah and took shelter under a tree. Amr ibn Umaiyyah did not know that Banu Amir had made an agreement with the Prophet. Amr ibn Umaiyyah asked both of them, "Where are you two from?" Both of them answered, "We are from Banu Amir". Then Amr ibn Umaiyyah waited until the two had fallen asleep and finished both of them. He assumed that what he had done was able to avenge the actions of the people of Banu Amir because they thought they had killed the companions of the Prophet. When Amr ibn Umaiyyah arrived at the place of Rasulullah and explained what he experienced, Rasulullah said, "Indeed, you have killed two people and I will pay diyat (ransom) to their families". He said again, "All this happened because of Abu Barra', I really did not like it and I was worried before".

When the words of Rasulullah reached the ears of Abu Barra, he was furious at Amir ibn At-Tufail for his brutal actions for underestimating his agreement with Rasulullah and felt that the heartbreaking tragedy that had befallen the companions of the Prophet was due to his actions and protection.

So deep was the sorrow of Rasulullah that a full month after every Subuh prayer he prayed to God to repay those who had killed friends. This is what is called Qunut Nazilah. All Muslims also feel sadness because of the calamity that has befallen their fellow believers, even though they believe that they are martyred and will enter heaven.

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Reference:

·         Mubarakfuri, Syekh Shafiyyur-Rahman, and Haidir, Abdullah (Translator). 2005. Sejarah Hidup dan Perjuangan Rasulullah. Riyadh: Kantor Dakwah dan Bimbingan bagi Pendatang Al-Sulay.

·         Haekal, Muhammad Husain, and Audah, Ali (Translator). Sejarah Hidup Muhammad.

·         Al-Mubarakfuriyy, Syeikh Safy Al-Rahman. Seerah Nabawiyyah, Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum.

·         Abu Muhammad Abdul Malik bin Hisyam Al-Muafiri. Sirah Nabawiyah Ibnu Hisyam. 2000. Jakarta Timur: Darul Falah.