Conversion of Umayr ibn Wahb

After Quraysh's defeat at Badr, Umayr ibn Wahb al-Jumahi sat with Safwan ibn Umayya at the Hijr in Mecca, recalling Quraysh's loss and their captives — Umayr's own son being a captive in Medina in Muslim hands. ¹

Umayr said to Safwan: "were it not for a debt I cannot pay and dependants I fear would be lost after me, I would ride to Muhammad and kill him." Safwan took on all his debts and guaranteed the upkeep of his dependants for as long as they lived; Umayr sharpened his sword, poisoned it and set out secretly for Medina. ^{1 2}

Umayr halted his camel at the mosque door, girt with his sword; Umar ibn al-Khattab saw him, seized him by his sword-belt and brought him before the Prophet on guard. The Prophet ordered him released and said: "what brings you, Umayr?" He said: I came for this captive. He asked: "then what of the sword round your neck?" He said: God confound swords — did they avail us anything? ³

The Prophet said to him: "rather, you sat with Safwan ibn Umayya at the Hijr and spoke of the men of the Qulayb of Quraysh; then you said: were it not for a debt upon me and dependants, I would set out and kill Muhammad — and Safwan undertook your debt and your dependants on condition that you kill me, and God stands between you and that." ³

Umayr cried out: "I bear witness that you are the Messenger of God — none attended that matter but Safwan and me, and by God I know that none but God could have brought it to you." He became Muslim and his Islam proved sound; he returned to Mecca calling to Islam, and a great company became Muslim at his hands. ^{3 4}