Seerah - The Life of the Prophet (pbuh)

distinction, and widely known for their boldness and courage
embraced Isl\m. These were *amzah ibn `Abdil Mu{{alib t, one of
the Prophet’s uncles, and `Umar ibn al-Kha{{\b t.
*amzah t, who was not a Muslim then, had heard of Ab[ Jahl
insulting the Prophet. Due to the affection he had for his nephew, he
was infuriated. He rushed to the compound of the Ka`bah, where Ab[
Jahl was seated along with other leading figures of Makkah and struck
Ab[ Jahl hard with his bow. He then declared his acceptance of Isl\m
and challenged all present to resist him. He further proclaimed that if
anybody insulted or assaulted the Prophet r again, they would have to
deal with his retaliation.
Shortly afterwards, `Umar ibn al-Kha{{\b t, an ardent opponent of
the Prophet r and his mission, also embraced Isl\m. His was a
fascinating account.
Eminent figures of Makkah sat one day in consultation over strategies
to curb the progress of Isl\m. `Umar ibn al-Kha{{\b, young and zealous
and known for his valour and daring, stood up with fury and pledged
to bring the head of Mu#ammad r within moments. He headed
straight for the house of Arqam, where the Prophet r usually held his
court. En route, he happened to encounter a friend who, discovering
his intentions, informed him to put his own house in order first, as both
his sister and brother-in-law had, as he explained, accepted Isl\m. This
worked like fuel over fire for `Umar, and now, more enraged than ever,
he marched to his sister’s house.
Sounds of recitation were heard outside the house, and Umar’s
expectant ears were quick to pick them up. He immediately burst into
the house and enquired of the source of the recitation. Upon learning
the truth, he lashed out on the sister with such fierceness and hardness
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