Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib

The paternal uncle and milk-brother of the Prophet; he is known by the epithets Seyyidüşşühedâ (lord of the martyrs) and Esedullah (the lion of God).

His full name was Abû 'Umâra (Abû Ya'lâ) Hamza b. 'Abd al-Muttalib b. Hâshim. His mother was Hâla bint Wuhayb. He was born around 569-570.

He became a Muslim in the second or the sixth year of the prophetic mission. According to the report, when he learned that Abû Jahl had insulted the Prophet he grew angry and openly accepted Islam, saying "I adopt the religion of Muhammad". The title Esedullah was given him for the extraordinary courage and fighting ability he showed for the sake of Islam.

At the battle of Badr he fought with great courage; coming forward for single combat he killed Shayba b. Rabî'a and helped bring about the death of 'Utba b. Rabî'a.

At the battle of Uhud, after killing thirty-one men, he was speared and martyred by Wahshî b. Harb, who had hidden behind a rock (3/625). The Meccan polytheists, and Hind bint 'Utba in particular, had promised Wahshî his freedom in fulfilment of a vow of vengeance.

When the Prophet saw him in that state he grieved deeply and said, "No one has been afflicted as you have been afflicted". Although he swore that he would kill seventy of the polytheists, the verse that was revealed turned him towards patience.

His Tomb and Complex — The Prophet performed his funeral prayer; he was buried in his own clothes, two and three at a time. His grave was dug by Abû Bakr, 'Umar, 'Alî and Zubayr. He lies in the martyrs' cemetery of Uhud; he was placed in the same grave as his sister's son Abdullah b. Jahsh. His tomb was built by the mother of the Abbasid caliph al-Nâsir li-Dîn Allâh.