Abu Amir al-Ash'ari

A notable Companion of the Ash'aris, the uncle of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari; the Prophet gave him command of the detachment pursuing Hawazin at Awtas after Hunayn. He duelled nine brothers of the polytheist commanders one after another and killed them, then was martyred by an arrow — and the Prophet prayed for his elevation and forgiveness ¹.

Abu Amir al-Ash'ari led the detachment at Awtas; nine brothers of Hawazin's commanders came out to him man after man calling him to single combat while he called them to Islam — he duelled them and killed them all ². Then Salama ibn Durayd ibn al-Summa shot him with an arrow in the knee; he passed the banner to his nephew Abu Musa al-Ash'ari saying: "fight the people, give the Messenger of God my greeting and tell him to ask forgiveness for me" — and was martyred ³.

When the news reached the Prophet he called for water, performed ablutions, raised his hands until the white of his armpits showed and said: "O God, forgive Your servant Abu Amir, and set him on the Day of Resurrection above many of Your creatures among men" ⁴.