Abu Dujanah... The Owner of the Band of Death

The Companions were those whom Allah Almighty chose to accompany His Prophet (peace be upon him), to be near him, and to defend him. They were an impregnable fortress that did not crumble, sacrificing their wealth, children, and lives to support the Prophet (peace be upon him). They played a significant role in spreading Islam and delivering its message to the entire world.

Among these men who were true to their covenant with Allah was the valiant knight Abu Dujanah Simak ibn Kharashah. He took the Prophet's sword rightfully, to cleave the heads of the polytheists. He was one of the most prominent figures produced by battles, a courageous and daring warrior unparalleled in his bravery. He participated in killing Musaylamah the Liar and was said to be equivalent to a thousand knights.

Abu Dujanah in the Battle of Badr

Abu Dujanah participated in the Battle of Badr, where he displayed various acts of heroism and extraordinary courage on the battlefield. He killed a number of brave and prominent polytheist leaders, including Abu Musafah Al-Ash'ari, an ally of Banu Makhzum, and Amir ibn Awf, brother of Asim ibn Dabirah. He also killed Abu Al-Aas ibn Qays from Banu Sahm, and other polytheists. He was an example for those who exchanged this world for the hereafter, bearing on his shoulders the defense of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the support of Islam and Muslims.

Abu Dujanah in the Battle of Uhud

Despite his participation in many battles, it was the Battle of Uhud that inscribed Abu Dujanah's name in history in letters of light, due to his courage and his acceptance of the Prophet's sword. Anas narrated that on the day of Uhud, the Prophet (peace be upon him) took a sword and said: "Who will take this from me?" Everyone stretched out their hands, each saying, "Me, me." He said: "Who will take it with its right?" The people hesitated. Then Simak ibn Kharashah, Abu Dujanah, said: "I will take it with its right." He took it and cleaved the heads of the polytheists with it.

Abu Dujanah and Zubair's Jealousy

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Who will take it with its right?", Al-Zubair ibn Al-Awwam said: "I felt it deeply when I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) for the sword and he withheld it from me and gave it to Abu Dujanah. I said, 'I am the son of Safiyyah, his aunt, and from Quraish, and I went to him and asked for it before him, yet he gave it to Abu Dujanah and left me.'" Zubair wanted to know the reason for the Prophet's choice of Abu Dujanah, so he said: "By Allah, I will see what he does!" Then he followed Abu Dujanah and found him taking out a red band, which he tied around his head. He then did not encounter anyone without killing them. At that moment, the Ansar said: "Abu Dujanah has brought out the band of death," and that is what they used to say to him when he wore it.

At that time, Abu Dujanah began to chant:

"I am he whom my intimate friend covenanted with me, While we were at the foot of the hill, among the palm trees, That I would not stay my whole life in the rear ranks, I strike with the sword of Allah and the Messenger."

Abu Dujanah's Courtesy Towards a Polytheist Woman

On the day of Uhud, Abu Dujanah almost killed Hind bint Utbah, the wife of the general commander of the Makkan army. Abu Dujanah said: "On the day of Uhud, I saw a person inciting the people intensely. I stood firm against him, and when I charged him with my sword, he shrieked. It was a woman! So I honored the sword of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) by not striking a woman with it." That woman was Hind bint Utbah.

Al-Zubair ibn Al-Awwam said: "I saw Abu Dujanah raise his sword to strike Hind bint Utbah's head, then he turned away from her. What noble character this is! What a religion this is! What a valiant knight this is!"

Today, Muslims are accused of terrorism and extremism, despite their annihilation in Palestine, their starvation in Gaza, and the demolition of their homes over their heads. Despite all this, we are in the dock, that we are the oppressors, and they are the oppressed, and the international community wavers between loud applause and deadly silence.

Abu Dujanah Sacrifices Himself for the Prophet

Abu Dujanah fought excellently and showed rare heroism in defending the Prophet (peace be upon him) during times of tribulation, remaining steadfast with him during hardship. When Abu Dujanah saw arrows raining down on the Prophet (peace be upon him), he made himself a protective shield for him (peace be upon him), exposing his body to the deluge of enemy arrows pouring from the bows of the polytheists. For these arrows to pierce his back was better than a single hair of the Prophet (peace be upon him) being touched.

Historians mentioned that the polytheists' arrows aimed at the Prophet (peace be upon him) would land on Abu Dujanah's back as he wrapped himself around the Prophet (peace be upon him). He paid no heed to them, even though a volley of them rained down on his back, to the extent that some likened Abu Dujanah's back to that of a hedgehog due to the multitude of arrows embedded in it in defense of the Prophet (peace be upon him)!

Abu Dujanah's life embodied the image of the true Muslim knight, zealous for his religion, his Messenger, and his homeland. But now, where has our red band gone? Where has our zeal disappeared? Where has our courage vanished? When will the Ummah take its Prophet's sword with its due right?

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1-    Al-Sayyid ibn Hussein Al-Affani, Anwar Al-Fajr fi Fadha'il Ahl Badr. 2- Yusuf ibn Muhammad Al-Sousi, Iqd Al-Lujain fi Dhikr Man Thabat ma'a Al-Nabi  (PBUH)