Umayr ibn Wahb

A Plot Foiled by Revelation

Umayr ibn Wahb was a Qurayshi of Banu Jumah and one of the bitterest enemies of the early Muslims. Soon after Badr, sitting with Safwan ibn Umayya in the Hatim, he said that life had lost its savour and that, were his debts paid and his family cared for, he would go and kill the Prophet ﷺ. Safwan undertook to settle both, and Umayr sharpened and poisoned his sword and set out for Madinah, using his captive son as a pretext. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 211–212 — Kandhlawi — Umayr's secret pact with Safwan in the Hatim to kill the Prophet, and his journey with the poisoned sword.

The Secret Revealed

In Madinah, Umar seized him by his sword-belt; the Prophet ﷺ had him released, then disclosed to him the very words he and Safwan had exchanged in the Hatim — words known only to the two of them. Umayr bore witness at once that he was the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He asked permission to return to Makkah to call others, and many came to Islam at his hands. 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 212–213 — Kandhlawi — the Prophet discloses to Umayr the secret only he and Safwan knew; Umayr embraces Islam and returns to call his people. Umar later said: “There is no doubt I once detested him more than a pig — yet today he is dearer to me than some of my own children.” 3 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 213 — Kandhlawi — Umar's words about Umayr's change from foe to beloved brother.