A Month Marked by Betrayal
The month of Ṣafar, 4 AH, witnessed two of the most painful episodes in early Islamic history. Muslim envoys sent solely to teach Islam were deceived, ambushed, and martyred—leaving deep scars on the heart of the Prophet ﷺ and the Ummah.
The Tragedy of Rajīʿ
Location: Near ʿUsfān, close to Makkah
Time: Beginning of Ṣafar, 4 AH
Men from the tribes of ʿAdal and al-Qārah falsely claimed Islam and requested teachers. The Prophet ﷺ sent ten noble companions, including ʿĀṣim ibn Thābit, Khubaib ibn ʿAdī, and Zayd ibn al-Dathinah.
Upon reaching Rajīʿ, the envoys were betrayed. Seven companions were killed on the spot, while three were captured and sold to the Quraysh in Makkah. Khubaib and Zayd were later executed, becoming eternal symbols of steadfastness under torture.
The Tragedy of Bi’r Maʿūnah
Location: Between Najd and Madinah, near Banū Sulaym
Time: Ṣafar, 4 AH
Abū Barāʾ ʿĀmir ibn Mālik requested teachers for Najd and personally guaranteed their safety. Despite concerns, the Prophet ﷺ sent seventy Qur’an memorizers—devoted, learned, and courageous.
At the well of Maʿūnah, they were ambushed by Banū Sulaym. Seventy were martyred, except Kaʿb ibn Zayd who survived gravely wounded. Another companion, ʿAmr ibn Umayyah al-Ḍamrī, escaped to deliver the devastating news.
The Prophet’s ﷺ Response
The Prophet ﷺ was deeply grieved. For an entire month, he made qunūt in Fajr prayer, supplicating against the betrayers—an unprecedented response reflecting the severity of the loss.
Spiritual Lessons
- Da‘wah demands sacrifice, even from the most pious.
- Betrayal is a repeated weapon of the enemies of truth.
- Martyrdom while teaching Islam is among the highest ranks.
- Tests and pain are integral to the prophetic mission.
Final Reflection
Rajīʿ and Bi’r Maʿūnah remind the Ummah that conveying truth has a cost—but that cost is honored eternally by Allah. The blood of the martyrs was not spilled in vain; it became light for generations to come.
