Hanzalah The Groom Of The Sky

The night has covered the land of Medina. The wedding ceremony of a young Aus, Hanzalah Bin Abu Amir with his cousin, Jamilah Binti Ubay has been arranged. All preparations have been completed. But coincidentally, the date of the young man's wedding coincided with the day of the Islamic army's battle against the enemy at Uhud Hill. 

     In the middle of the shining city, the Muslim army led by the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam was busy making final preparations for tomorrow's war. The sword is sharpened. Spears and bows are ready arranged. 

     Seeing the preparation of the Islam army that night, Hanzalah Bin Abu Amir came to the Messenger of Allah. “ I plan to just postpone this wedding, ” said Hanzalah conveying his wishes. 

     The Prophet stared at the young man as soon as he expressed his request. Then His Majesty the Prophet immediately replied, “ It's okay, Hanzalah. Just go ahead with this marriage and there is no need for you to postpone it. ” 

     The answer did not satisfy Hanzalah. He really wanted to join the Islam army to go to war and respond to the call of jihad. However, His Majesty the Prophet still insisted that Hanzalah continue his marriage, then suggested that the young man follow the Muslim army at Uhud Hill the next day, that is after the wedding ceremony was over. 

     Hearing the answer given by the Messenger of Allah, Hanzalah just remained silent. He thought for a moment. What the Prophet said was true because this wedding ceremony not only involved him alone, but also his future wife Jamilah. Then, the young man agreed to follow the suggestion of the Prophet. 

     On a quiet Friday night, the wedding between Hanzalah Bin Abu Amir and Jamilah Binti Ubay was held in a simple manner. However, the quiet and silence atmosphere did not calm down until the morning. The city of Madinah was suddenly awakened by the continuous beating of drums followed by the call of jihad. 

     “ Hurry up! Hurry to fight the enemy of Allah! Come out to grab Allah's paradise! The war will begin! ” The beat of the drum and the shout of jihad surprised the newly married couple. 

     Hanzalah sprang up from his bed when he heard the beating of war drums. As fast as lightning the man put on his clothes without having time to ghusl first. He prepared himself to go to battle without thinking about worldly affairs in order to uphold the religion of God. 

     “ I should join them, ” said Hanzalah to his wife.

     “ Isn't tonight our wedding night? Prophet Muhammad also allowed you to leave tomorrow, ” Jamilah asked her husband. 

     But, the question was answered firmly by Hanzalah. He said ” I am not a person who likes to give reasons to grab Allah's heaven. ” 

     Hearing that answer, Jamilah was transfixed. She was unable to say anything else and could only watch as her husband prepared to put on his war clothes and slip the sword into his waist. 

     After getting ready, Hanzalah turned to his wife. Then, he said, “ Don't be sad o my wife. Pray for my departure and may I be victorious. ” Those words made Jamilah's tears fall down her cheeks. The newlyweds then hugged and shook hands.

     Jamilah's heart is heavy to let go of the man who has just become her husband to the battlefield. However, she strengthened her heart and let go of him with full of willingness. “ I pray that you will be victorious, ” said Jamilah softly. 

On the battlefield at Bukit Uhud, the number of enemy soldiers was as many as 3,000 people and equipped with weapons, while the number of Muslim soldiers was only 1,000 people. The difference did not frighten the Muslim soldiers at all, including Hanzalah himself.

     Despite having a small number of troops, but in the early stages of the war, the Islam army had successfully won. However, when the archery team assigned to guard the Uhud Hill came down to grab the spoils of war, the situation began to change. This is when the Mushyrikin military forces attacked again. 

     Some of the Muslim warriors remained firm in standing with the Prophet, including Hanzalah. They tried their best to defend His Majesty the Messenger of God. When the situation became more critical, Hanzalah without delay drew his sword and advanced to face the enemy.

     In front of him at that time was the commander of the Quraysh army, Abu Sufyan Bin Harb who was riding a horse. Hanzalah attacked him like a hungry lion. They fought and struggled until Abu Sufyan fell to the ground. 

     When Hanzalah raised his sword and wanted to behead Abu Sufyan, that's when a Quraysh soldier, Syaddad Bin Aswad threw a spear from behind and pierced Hanzalah's chest. The young man then died and fell to the ground. So, Hanzalah was martyred in a state of junub. 

     As soon as the Battle of Uhud ended, the wounded Muslim soldiers were given treatment. While the bodies of those martyred in the Uhud field have been collected and identified. In the war, a total of 70 Muslim soldiers were killed.

     When the Prophet who was injured and had several broken teeth was being treated, he said something about Hanzalah. “ I have seen between the heavens and the earth, the angels are bathing Hanzalah with water from a gap in the clouds filled into a silver vessel. ” 

     One of the companions who was closest to the Prophet at that time, Abu Said Saidi woke up and looked for Hanzalah's body. He wanted to see the state of Hanzalah as narrated by the Prophet Muhammad. 

     When he found Hanzalah's body, Abu Said saw the calmness on the young man's face even though his whole body was badly injured. And what stunned him the most was, Hanzalah's hair was wet with water drops still flowing from the cracks of her hair even though the hot sun was shining.

Sources from Mastika and the internet.

Picture are just an illusion.