Amr Ibn Jemuh

 

Amr was a prominent man in Medina during the Days of Ignorance.  He was one of the leaders of the Salamah Tribe.  He was generous and a man of good character.

At that time leaders had idols in their houses.  They hoped the idols would bless them.  Manat was the name of Amr’s wooden idol.  He respected the idol and rubbed nice perfumes on it. 

The first rays of Islam’s light began to shine in Medina.  Amr was about sixty years old at that time.  Musab Ibn Umeyr introduced Islam in Medina.  He taught Islam to Amr’s sons, Muavvez, Muaz and Hallad and their friend, Muaz Ibn Jabal.  With her sons’ help, Amr’s wife also accepted Islam.  However, Amr didn’t know about any of this. 

Only a few people in Medina like Amr and his friends did not accept Islam.  His wife, Hind, was very sad.  Hind loved and respected her husband.  She didn’t want to see him die as a pagan.  Amr was afraid his sons would leave their ancestors’ religion.  He was afraid Musab would teach his sons about Islam.  One day he told his wife,  “Hind, don’t let our sons talk with Musab Ibn Umeyr.”

“Okay,” she said, “but wouldn’t you like to hear what Muaz has heard about Islam?”

“Oh, no.  Did Muaz leave his religion without my knowing about it?” asked Amr.

His wife felt pity for Amr.  “No,” she replied.  “But he knows some things about the new religion.”

“Tell him to come here,” said Amr.

When Muaz came, his father asked, “What did Musab teach you about Islam?”

Muaz recited the Fatiha:

“In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

 Praise be to God,

The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds;

Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

Master of the Day of Judgment.

Thee do we worship,

And Thine aid we seek.

Show us the straight way,

The way of those on whom

Thou hast bestowed Your blessings, not of those who have been condemned by You, nor of those who go astray.”

“How perfect and beautiful these words are,” said Amr.  “Is everything he says like this?”

“Yes, father,” answered Muaz.  “Everyone is accepting Islam.  Don’t you want to become a Muslim, too?”

Amr remained silent for a while. Then he said, “I won’t do anything until I’ve spoken with Manat.”

 “But, father,” said his son, “Manat can’t speak.  It’s only a piece of wood.  It can’t think either.”

Amr answered angrily, “I told you that I won’t do anything until I ask Manat.”

Later Amr went to Manat’s place.  He stood in front of the idol.  Whenever the pagans wanted to speak with an idol, an old woman would stand behind it.  Supposedly the idol would speak through the woman. 

“Manat,” said Amr, “that man from Mecca doesn’t want us to worship you.  I heard beautiful words from him.  I want your advice.  What should I do?”

Manat didn’t answer.  “Maybe you’re angry,” said Amr.  “But I didn’t do anything to make you mad.  I’ll wait a few days for your answer.”

Amr liked Manat very much.  His children knew this.  But they wanted to help their father.  They wanted to show Amr that Manat was only a piece of wood.

That night Amr’s sons and their friend, Muaz Ibn Jabal, took Manat from its place.  They took it to a hole that was used as a toilet by Amr’s tribe.  Then they threw Manat into the hole.

The next morning Amr went to see Manat.  But the idol was not in its place.  “Shame on whoever took Manat,” shouted Amr.  “Who has stolen my god? ”No one said anything.  Amr looked everywhere for Manat.  He was very angry.  Finally Amr found Manat in the hole.  He took it out, washed it and put perfume on the idol.  “If I find who did this, I will punish him very badly,” said Amr.

The next night the boys did the same thing.  The following morning Amr again found Manat in the toilet hole.  He washed and perfumed it.  He also hung a sword around Manat’s neck.  “Manat,” he said, “I don’t know who’s doing this.  Defend yourself with this sword.”

After Amr had gone to bed, the boys took the sword from Manat’s neck.  They threw the idol and the sword into the hole.

The next day Amr found Manat again.  But this time he was angry with the idol.  He left it in the hole.  Amr understood that the wooden idol didn’t have any power. 

Not long after, Amr accepted Islam.  He was very sorry about the days he had lived as a pagan.  He gave everything he had for the service of  Islam. 

Some time later the Uhud battle began.  Amr saw his three sons preparing for the fight.  He decided to go, too.  His sons thought he was too old.  But Amr wanted to fight for Islam.

Amr went with his sons to see the Prophet.  He said, “Rasulullah, my sons want to keep me at home.  They say I am old and weak.  But I want to fight.”

“Let him come,” said the Prophet to Amr’s sons.  “Maybe he will become a martyr.”  So his sons agreed.  Amr said good-bye to his wife.  Then he prayed, “Lord, give me martyrdom. Don’t send me back to my family without it.” 

Amr set out with his three sons and many others from his tribe.  He was in the front line during the battle.  Amr shouted, “I want Paradise, I want Paradise...”  He and his son, Hallad, fought together to protect the Prophet.  They were both killed.  Amr Ibn Jemuh and Hallad both became martyrs at the Battle of Uhud.

 

 

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