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ZAID IBN AL- KHATTAAB
The Hawk of The Day of Al-Yamaamah
One day the Prophet (PBUH) sat with a group of Muslims, and while they were talking, the
Messenger paused, then spoke to those who were sitting around him saying, "Among you there is a man
whose molar in He is greater than Mount Uhud."
Fright and terror appeared upon the faces of all those present because each one of them was afraid
lest he should be the person about whom the Prophet (PBUH) prophesied a dreadful end.
Years passed and all those Companions met their ends as martyrs except Abu Hurairah and Ar-
Rajjaal Ibn `Unfuwah, who were still alive. Abu Hurairah was extremely terrified by that prophecy and
did not feel comfortable until fate revealed the secret of the unfortunate man: Ar-Rajjaal Ibn `Unfuwah,
who apostatized from Islam and joined Musailamah the Liar, and thus witnessed the fulfillment of
prophecy upon him.
One day, Ar-Rajjaal Ibn `Unfuwah went to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and acknowledged him and
learned the teachings of Islam. Then he went to his people and did not return to Al Madiinah till the
death of the Prophet and the choice of As-siddiiq as the Caliph of the Muslims. Ar-Rajjaal told Abu Bakr
the news of the inhabitants of Al-Yamaamah and their support for Musailamah and proposed that he be
sent to Al-Yamaamah as an envoy in order to confirm Islam among them! The Caliph gave him
permission. Ar-Rajjaal went to Al-Yamaamah, and when he saw the numerous supporters of
Musailamah, he believed that they would be the victors. His perfidious nature caused him to reserve a
place in the prospective state of Musailamah. Consequently, he apostatized from Islam and joined
Musailamah, who promised him a prosperous future.
Ar-Rajjaal was more dangerous to Islam than Musailamah himself because he exploited his
previous association with Islam and the period he had lived with the Messenger in Al-Madiinah,
memorizing many verses of the Holy Qur'aan, and his intercession to Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased
with him), the Caliph of the Muslims. Ar-Rajjaal exploited all those things for evil purposes and
cunningly supported and confirmed the sovereignty of Musailamah and his false prophethood.
He walked among people saying that he heard the Messenger of Allah say that he had taken
Musailamah into partnership and when the Messenger (PBUH) died, he was worthy of carrying the
banner of prophethood and revelation after him.
The number of Musailamah's supporters increased to a great extent because of the lies of Ar-Rajjaal
and his cunning exploitation of his previous relationships with Islam and the Messenger (PBUH). When
the news of Ar-Rajjaal reached Al-Madiinah, the Muslims were exceedingly angry because of the lies of
this dangerous apostate who used to mislead people. His evil words and deeds expanded the range of the
war and intensified the conflict the Muslims had with their enemies and adversaries. The most anxious
and the most eager to meet Ar-Rajjaal was Zaid Ibn Al-Khattaab, whose heroism and fame was
outstanding in the biographies and books of Islamic history.
1 am sure that you have heard about Zaid Ibn Al-Khattaab. He was the brother of `Umar Ibn Al-
Khattaab (May Allah be pleased with both). Yes, he was his elder brother. He was older than `Umar Ibn
Al-Khattaab and he embraced Islam and gained the honor of martyrdom before him.