From infamy to faith: The story of Wahshi ibn Harb

After suffering a humiliating defeat at Badr, the Quraysh of Makkah were burning for revenge – and their target, specifically, was Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) uncle, Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttwalib – Islam’s fiercest warrior. During the Battle of Badr, Hamza killed Utba ibn Rabi’a – the father of Hindu, the wife of Abu Sufyan who was the leader of the Quraysh.

To avenge her father’s death, Hindu hired Wahshi ibn Harb to kill at least one of the three persons (the Prophet, Hamza or Ali bin Abi Talib) who were on her hit list.

Wahshi was a skilled Abyssinian slave living in Makkah during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He belonged to Jubayr ibn Mut’im, a nobleman among the pagan Quraysh. Wahshi was promised his freedom if he killed any of the targets. As a skilled spear-thrower trained for precise kills, he waited for the perfect moment during the heat of the Battle of Uhud. From behind a rock, Wahshi hurled his spear at Hamza and killed him instantly.

After the battle, Wahshi returned to Makkah a free man, but he did not find peace. While the Quraysh celebrated the death of Hamza, Wahshi was haunted by the act. He admitted later in his life that he had not killed Hamza out of hatred for Islam or love for the Quraysh cause—but for freedom.

When the Prophet Muhammad eventually conquered Makkah in 630 CE, Wahshi fled the city, fearing retribution for his role in Hamza’s death. He knew that Hamza was not just a warrior; he was beloved by the Prophet as both a family member and a loyal supporter. Wahshi believed that there could be no forgiveness for what he had done.

However, Wahshi’s heart was stirred by the growing spread of Islam and the stories of mercy and forgiveness that followed the Prophet (peace be upon him). He eventually travelledto Ta’if, and when that city also embraced Islam, he found no place left to run. Desperate and uncertain, Wahshi approached the Prophet in Madinah, hoping to seek forgiveness but unsure if he would be accepted.

At first, Wahshi sent a message to the Prophet asking whether someone like him—a murderer of Hamza—could ever be forgiven. The Prophet replied with a verse from the Qur’an:

“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins…”
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)

He declared the shahada (the testimony of faith) and embraced Islam. The Prophet, demonstrating the highest level of mercy, accepted Wahshi into the Muslim community. However, due to the personal pain caused by the death of Hamza, he told Wahshi: “Try not to come in front of me, for I do not wish to see you.”

It was a moment that reflected both the Prophet’s immense capacity for forgiveness and the deep human emotions of grief and loss.

After the Prophet peace be upon him passed away, Musaylimah the Liar declared false prophethood, leading a rebellion. Wahshi joined the Muslim army. In the heat of battle, he spotted Musaylimah and threw his spear—the same spear that had ended Hamza’s life.

He would later say, say, “With this spear, I killed the best of people—Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib—and the worst of people—Musaylimah the Liar.”