The Conspiracy Was Foiled
In response to his brothers’ words, Hazrat al-Walid ibn al-Walid رضي الله عنه said:
“I thought that if I accepted Islam in Madinah, people would say that I had accepted Islam because I was frightened by imprisonment.”
When he then intended to migrate to Madinah, his brothers imprisoned him.
When the Noble Prophet ﷺ learned about this, he began praying for his release in the Qunut al-Nazilah.
Eventually, one day, Hazrat al-Walid ibn al-Walid رضي الله عنه managed to escape from Makkah and reached the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah.
Similarly, one of the prisoners, Hazrat Wahb ibn ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه (who later accepted Islam), had also fought against the Muslims at the Battle of Badr and had been taken prisoner after the defeat of the disbelievers.
The name of Wahb ibn ‘Umayr’s father was ‘Umayr.
He had a friend named Safwan رضي الله عنه.
Both of these friends belonged to Quraysh of Makkah.
At that time, neither of them had accepted Islam, and both were among the bitterest enemies of the Muslims.
One day, the two of them were sitting near the Black Stone.
They began talking about Quraysh’s defeat at Badr.
They mentioned the prominent leaders who had been killed.
Safwan رضي الله عنه said:
“By Allah! After the killing of these leaders, there is no enjoyment left in life.”
Hearing this, ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه said:
“You are telling the truth. By Allah! If I did not have a debt that I had to repay and the concern of my wife and children whom I would leave behind, I would go to Muhammad ﷺ and kill him (Allah forbid).
“I also have a reason to go there. My own son, Wahb, is in his custody. He participated in the Battle of Badr.”
As soon as he heard this, Safwan رضي الله عنه promised:
“Your debt will be my responsibility. I will repay it.
“And the responsibility for your wife and children will also be mine. As long as they live, I will take care of them.”
After hearing this, ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه made a firm decision to kill the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“Then everything is settled. This matter will remain a secret between you and me.
“You will not mention any of this to anyone, and neither will I.”
Safwan رضي الله عنه agreed.
‘Umayr رضي الله عنه went home, took out his sword, sharpened its blade, and then dipped it in poison.
He then set out from Makkah toward Madinah.
When ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه reached Masjid al-Nabawi, he saw Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه sitting with some other Muslims and discussing the Battle of Badr.
When Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه saw him, he immediately stood up because he had noticed the unsheathed sword in ‘Umayr’s hand.
He said:
“This enemy of Allah has certainly come with an evil intention.”
He then immediately went from there to the blessed chamber of the Noble Prophet ﷺ and said:
“O Messenger of Allah! The enemy of Allah, ‘Umayr, has come carrying an unsheathed sword.”
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
“‘Umar! Bring him inside to me.”
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه immediately went outside, seized ‘Umayr by the strap of his sword, and brought him inside.
At that time, some Ansari Companions were also present there.
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said to them:
“You also come inside with me, because I have doubts about his intention.”
Accordingly, they came inside.
When the Noble Prophet ﷺ saw Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه bringing ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه in this manner, he said:
“‘Umar! Leave him.
“‘Umayr! Come forward.”
‘Umayr رضي الله عنه then came closer to the Prophet ﷺ and offered the greeting of the days of ignorance, saying, “Good morning.”
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
“‘Umayr! Islam has given us a greeting better than this greeting of yours—the greeting of the people of Paradise.
“Now tell me, why have you come?”
‘Umayr رضي الله عنه replied:
“I have come to speak about my son, who is a prisoner.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Then what is the meaning of this sword?
“Tell me the truth. Why have you come?”
‘Umayr رضي الله عنه replied:
“I have indeed come regarding the release of my son.”
Since Allah Almighty had already informed the Noble Prophet ﷺ through revelation about ‘Umayr’s intention, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“No, ‘Umayr! That is not the matter.
“Rather, the matter is that a few days ago, you and Safwan were sitting near the Black Stone, and the two of you were talking about your people who had been killed at the Battle of Badr and whose bodies had been placed in a pit.
“At that time, you said to Safwan:
‘If I did not have someone’s debt to repay and did not have to worry about my wife and children whom I would leave behind, I would go and kill Muhammad ﷺ.’
“Then Safwan said:
‘If you carry out this task, I will repay your debt and I will also take care of your wife and children and provide for them.’
“But Allah Almighty will not allow your intention to be fulfilled.”
When ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه heard this, he was completely astonished.
He knew that only he and Safwan رضي الله عنه knew about this conversation.
Therefore, ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه immediately said:
“I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.
“O Messenger of Allah! We used to reject the news that came to you from the heavens and the revelation that was sent down to you.
“As for this matter, at that time, no third person besides Safwan and me was present near the Black Stone.
“Nor did anyone know about our conversation, because we had agreed to keep it secret.
“Therefore, by Allah! No one except Allah Almighty could have informed you about this.
“So all praise and glory belong to that Exalted Being Who guided me and directed me toward Islam and granted me the ability to walk upon this path.”
After this, ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه recited the Kalimah and accepted Islam.
Then the Noble Prophet ﷺ said to the Companions رضي الله عنهم:
“Teach your brother about the religion, teach him the Noble Qur’an, and release his prisoner.”
The Companions رضي الله عنهم immediately carried out the Prophet’s command.