The Story of the Companion Ammar ibn Yasir and His Family
Ammar ibn Yasir, may Allah be pleased with him, was one of the prominent companions who played a significant role in the early spread of Islam. His story is intertwined with the early period of Islam when Muslims were facing severe persecution and torture.
Lineage and Birth
Ammar ibn Yasir, may Allah be pleased with him, was born in Mecca to a poor family. His father, Yasir ibn Amir, and his mother, Sumayyah bint Khayyat, were among the first to embrace Islam. The entire family faced persecution because of their faith, and Ammar’s family is regarded as one of the first to have accepted Islam.
The Torture of Ammar and His Family
In the early days of Islam, the Quraysh used torture and persecution to force Muslims to renounce their faith. Ammar ibn Yasir and his family were among the most prominent victims of this torture. They were tied up under the scorching sun, whipped, and subjected to severe punishment in hopes that they would abandon their faith. Ammar witnessed his mother, Sumayyah, being tortured until she became the first female martyr in Islam. His father, Yasir, also died as a result of the torture, leaving Ammar in deep emotional and psychological pain.
Endurance and Patience
Despite facing all types of torture, Ammar ibn Yasir did not renounce his faith. He would say: “O Allah, make me among those who endure for Your sake.” He faced immense hardship with unwavering patience. At one point, due to the extreme torture, Ammar was forced to outwardly renounce his faith to save his life. When asked about this by the Prophet ﷺ, Ammar said: “O Messenger of Allah, we said nothing but what was in our hearts.”
The Quranic Verse Regarding Ammar
After the incident of Ammar ibn Yasir’s torture, the following verse was revealed:
“Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief—except one who is forced while his heart is secure in faith…” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:106).
This verse provided relief for Ammar ibn Yasir and others who were forced to outwardly speak words of disbelief due to torture, yet their hearts remained firm in their faith.
Ammar’s Role in the Spread of Islam
Ammar ibn Yasir was not just a person who endured torture in the early days of Islam; he was also one of the most active companions who participated in several key battles and events. He participated in the Battle of Badr, Uhud, the Battle of the Trench, and other significant battles. He was among the first to pledge allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ in the Second Pledge of Aqabah and was among the early migrants to Medina.
The Martyrdom of Ammar ibn Yasir
Ammar ibn Yasir, may Allah be pleased with him, became a prominent military leader in the Battle of Siffin, which took place between the forces of Ali ibn Abi Talib and those of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan. In that battle, Ammar ibn Yasir was martyred at an old age. The Prophet ﷺ had earlier predicted that Ammar would be killed by the “rebellious faction,” and his martyrdom in the Battle of Siffin fulfilled this prophecy.
Sources Regarding Ammar ibn Yasir’s Story
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Sahih al-Bukhari:
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In an authentic hadith narrated by Ammar ibn Yasir, he said: “Ammar was tortured and said: ‘If I live, I will relate to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ what happened to me.'”
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Sahih Muslim:
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Sahih Muslim contains a narration explaining Ammar ibn Yasir’s situation after being tortured and forced to outwardly deny his faith.
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Tafseer al-Tabari:
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In Tafseer al-Tabari, there is a detailed explanation of the verse (whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief) and how it relates to Ammar ibn Yasir and others who were coerced into outwardly renouncing their faith.
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Siyar A’lam al-Nubala (by al-Dhahabi):
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Al-Dhahabi provides a detailed biography of Ammar ibn Yasir, his role in Islam, and his martyrdom at the Battle of Siffin.
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Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra (by Ibn Sa’d):
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Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra recounts many details of Ammar’s suffering, the martyrdom of his mother Sumayyah, and his efforts in spreading Islam.
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Conclusion
The story of Ammar ibn Yasir and his family represents an exceptional example of patience, resilience, and sacrifice for the sake of Allah. Ammar’s family made significant sacrifices in the early days of Islam and endured many hardships for their faith. Ammar ibn Yasir, through his courage and steadfastness, became a symbol of loyalty to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, and he played a pivotal role in the Islamic movement through his participation in key battles and his knowledge of the Prophet’s teachings.
