The Killing of Malik ibn Nuwayra

قتل مالك بن نويرة

c. 632 CE · c. 11 AH

In al-Baladhuri: after Buzakha Khalid ibn al-Walid marched on those of Banu Tamim at al-Butah and al-Ba'udha, fought them, scattered their gathering and killed Malik ibn Nuwayra, Mutammim ibn Nuwayra's brother — Malik having been the Prophet's agent over the alms of Banu Hanzala, who on the Prophet's death released what dues were in his hands saying 'see to your own wealth, Banu Hanzala'; some report Khalid met no one at al-Butah and al-Ba'udha but sent squadrons among Banu Tamim, one under Dirar ibn al-Azwar al-Asadi, who fought and captured Malik with a group, brought them to Khalid, who ordered their necks struck, Dirar himself taking Malik's; Malik is said to have told Khalid 'by God I did not apostatize', and Abu Qatada al-Ansari testified Banu Hanzala had laid down their arms and called the adhan — whereupon Umar told Abu Bakr 'you sent a man who kills Muslims and tortures with fire'; Mutammim ibn Nuwayra is reported coming to Umar, who asked of his grief for his brother — 'I wept for him a year until my failing eye aided my sound one, and I saw no fire but I nearly perished with sorrow for him, for he used to keep his fire lit till morning lest a guest come and not know its place' — then described him riding the strong horse leading the thirsty camel between two brimming water-skins on the cold night, a cloak on him, bearing a pliant spear, his face a moon's cleft; he recited his elegy beginning 'we were like Jadhima's two drinking-companions for an age until it was said they would never be split', and Umar said 'had I been good at verse I would have elegized my brother Zayd', to which Mutammim answered 'not equal, commander of the faithful — had my brother fallen where yours fell I would not have wept him', and Umar said 'no one has consoled me better than you consoled me'.