The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
On one occasion, while Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was engaged in performing salaah by the Ka’bah Shareef, Uqbah bin Abi Mu’ait, one of the most evil leaders of the Quraish, approached him with the sinister intention of harming him.
On coming to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Uqbah removed his shawl, placed it around his neck and began to ruthlessly strangle him with it.
No sooner did Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) learn about this, he rushed to the scene to defend and protect Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He immediately grabbed Uqbah by his shoulder and pushed him away from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then reproachingly addressed Uqbah in the following words:
اَتَقۡتُلُوۡنَ رَجُلًا اَنۡ یَّقُوۡلَ رَبِّیَ اللّٰہُ وَ قَدۡ جَآءَکُمۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ مِنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ
Do you intend killing a man merely because he proclaims that my Rabb is Allah Ta’ala; whilst he has brought to you clear signs from your Lord?[1]
[1] عن عروة بن الزبير، قال: سألت عبد الله بن عمرو، عن أشد ما صنع المشركون برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: رأيت عقبة بن أبي معيط، جاء إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يصلي، ” فوضع رداءه في عنقه فخنقه به خنقا شديدا، فجاء أبو بكر حتى دفعه عنه، فقال: أتقتلون رجلا أن يقول ربي الله، وقد جاءكم بالبينات من ربكم (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 3678)
