Suraqa ibn Malik
Suraqa ibn Malik | |
|---|---|
| Born | Surāqa ibn Mālik ibn Juʿshum al-Kinānī |
| Died | 644 CE |
Surāqa ibn Mālik ibn Juʿshum al-Kinānī (Arabic: سراقة بن مالك بن جعشم الكناني) was a member of the Kinana tribe who converted to Islam.[1]
Life
Pursuit of Muhammad and Abu Bakr
Suraqah ibn Malik ibn Ju‘shum was a skilled horseman and tracker from the tribe of Banu Mudlij. During the Hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) from Makkah to Madinah (622 CE), Quraysh announced a large reward for anyone who could capture or kill the Prophet ﷺ. Motivated by this reward, Suraqah set out to pursue them. Each time he drew near, his horse’s legs sank into the sand, causing it to stumble and halt. Despite several attempts, he was unable to advance. These repeated occurrences convinced Suraqah that divine protection surrounded the Prophet ﷺ. Realizing his mistake and fearing harm, Suraqah called out for safety and forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ granted him protection and showed mercy. During this encounter, the Prophet ﷺ foretold that Suraqah would one day wear the bracelets of Kisra (Khosrow II), the emperor of Persia. Years later, during the caliphate of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), Persia was conquered by the Muslims. Kisra’s treasures were brought to Madinah, and ‘Umar fulfilled the Prophet’s prophecy by placing the bracelets of Kisra on Suraqah.
On the way back, whenever he met somebody looking for the prophet, he would say: "I have looked for him here in vain.". This caused whoever was looking for Muhammad and Abu Bakr to return.[2]
This incident is cited in Islamic tradition as an example of: Allah’s protection of His Messenger ﷺ The Prophet’s mercy toward his enemies The fulfillment of prophetic foretelling Firm faith in Allah’s promise despite hardship
Death
Suraqa died in the year 644 during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan. It is also said that he died after Uthman.[3]
References
- ^ "ص494 - كتاب السيرة النبوية على ضوء القرآن والسنة - إسلام سراقة - المكتبة الشاملة". shamela.ws. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ "Sahih al-Bukhari 3615 - Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions - كتاب المناقب - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ "ص111 - كتاب تاريخ مولد العلماء ووفياتهم - سنة أربع وعشرين - المكتبة الشاملة". shamela.ws. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
Sources (Sunni)
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Manāqib Ibn Hishām, Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah Ibn Kathīr, Al-Bidāyah wa’n-Nihāyah Al-Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Rusul wa’l-Mulūk
Sunni-Approved References Ibn Hishām – Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah One of the earliest and most trusted Sunni biographies of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Discusses Suraqah ibn Malik’s pursuit and the prophecy about the Persian bracelets. Arabic text online (al-Maktaba al-Shamela) Ibn Kathīr – Al-Bidāyah wa’n-Nihāyah (Vol. 3, Sīrah) Provides detailed narration of the Hijrah and Suraqah ibn Malik’s encounter. [Arabic/English PDF versions available online via Sunnah libraries] Al-Ṭabarī – Tārīkh al-Rusul wa’l-Mulūk Historical chronicle mentioning Suraqah ibn Malik, the divine protection of the Prophet ﷺ, and the prediction of Kisra’s bracelets. Arabic text online (al-Maktaba al-Shamela) Ibn Sa‘d – Kitāb al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kabīr Includes biographies of companions, including Suraqah ibn Malik and his conversion/mercy from the Prophet ﷺ. Arabic text online Al-Mubarakfuri – Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) Modern Sunni biography (Sīrah) accepted widely. Mentions Suraqah ibn Malik and the bracelet prophecy. English version online