~9 AH · 9 AH·Date debatedEpisode 64 states Urwah embraced Islam "in the 9th year of the Hijrah." Episode 95, in more narrative detail, places his conversion in Dhu al-Qa'dah of the 8th year, as the Muslims were returning from the Siege of Ta'if (consistent with the Siege of Ta'if's own 8 AH dating). Both accounts are preserved rather than one being silently chosen.
Episode 64 states Urwah embraced Islam "in the 9th year of the Hijrah." Episode 95, in more narrative detail, places his conversion in Dhu al-Qa'dah of the 8th year, as the Muslims were returning from the Siege of Ta'if (consistent with the Siege of Ta'if's own 8 AH dating). Both accounts are preserved rather than one being silently chosen.
What happened
Urwah ibn Mas'ud al-Thaqafi was one of the most respected leaders of the tribe of Thaqif in Ta'if. Some time after the Conquest of Makkah, he embraced Islam at the hands of the Prophet ﷺ. He wanted to go back and call his own people to Islam. The Prophet ﷺ warned him, "I am scared for you," fearing how his tribe would treat him.
Urwah was sure of his standing. He said that his people respected him so much that if they found him asleep, they would not even wake him. He insisted, and the Prophet ﷺ let him go.
When Urwah began preaching Islam in Ta'if, his own people answered him with vile abuse. He went home saddened. The next morning at Fajr he climbed onto his roof, gave the adhan and began to pray. Someone who saw him took a bow and shot him with an arrow. He fell and died a martyr.
As he lay dying, his family asked whether they should seek revenge or blood money. Urwah told them not to. He said this martyrdom was a gift with which Allah had honoured him. He asked to be buried with the Muslims who had been martyred at Hunayn rather than in his family's graveyard, and that was done.
Significance
On hearing the news, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Urwah is like the one of Ya-Sin," comparing him to the man who came from the far end of the city urging his people to follow the messengers in Surah Ya-Sin [Quran, 36:20-27] and was killed for it.
Said to Urwah ibn Mas'ud al-Thaqafi just after he embraced Islam at the Prophet ﷺ's hands, out of concern for how his own tribe, Thaqif, would receive him.
Returned to Ta'if and preached Islam openly to Thaqif despite hearing vile and vulgar abuse he never expected from his own people; the next morning at Fajr, went up to his rooftop, gave the adhan, and began to pray; he was shot with an arrow, which drove him down into the valley, and he died a martyr.
“Then from the farthest end of the city, a man came, rushing. He advised, "O my people! Follow the messengers."”
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.
“Follow those who ask no reward of you, and are [rightly] guided.”
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.
“And why should I not worship the One Who has originated me, and to Whom you will be returned.”
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.
“How could I take besides Him other gods whose intercession would not be of any benefit to me, nor could they save me if the Most Compassionate intended to harm me?”
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.
“[But they killed him, then] he was told [by the angels], "Enter Paradise!" He said, "If only my people knew"”
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.
“of how my Lord has forgiven me, and made me one of the honorable.”
Urwah ibn Mas'ud RA was killed by his own people just as he called them to the truth -- paralleling the man of Ya-Sin in these ayat (36:20-27), who was likewise killed by his people after urging them to follow the messengers.