Ammar ibn Yasir

Ammar ibn Yasir belonged to a family of allies (halif) of the Banu Makhzum. His father Yasir came from Yemen and settled in Makkah, marrying Sumayyah, a former slave woman. The entire family — Yasir, Sumayyah, and Ammar — accepted Islam in its earliest days, making them one of the first households to embrace the faith. Their lack of tribal protection made them prime targets for Abu Jahl and the Quraysh. Abu Jahl and his associates tortured the family mercilessly. They would take them out to the scorching desert at the hottest part of the day and subject them to unspeakable cruelty. The Prophet would pass by them and, unable to intervene due to the weakness of the early Muslim community, would say: 'Patience, O family of Yasir! Your appointment is Paradise.' Sumayyah was killed by Abu Jahl who stabbed her with a spear, making her the first martyr in Islam. Yasir also perished under torture. Ammar was tortured until he uttered words of disbelief under extreme duress. He came to the Prophet weeping, devastated by what he had been forced to say. The Prophet asked: 'How do you find your heart?' Ammar said: 'Firm in faith.' The Prophet said: 'If they do it again, say it again.' The Qur'anic verse (16:106) was revealed regarding him, exempting the one who is compelled while his heart remains secure in faith. Ammar migrated to Madinah and participated in Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, and every expedition with the Prophet. During the construction of the Prophet's mosque in Madinah, Ammar was carrying two bricks at a time while others carried one. The Prophet wiped the dust from his head and said: 'Woe to Ammar — he will be killed by the transgressing party. He will be calling them to Paradise and they will be calling him to the Fire.' This prophecy is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Ammar lived to be over ninety years old and was killed at the Battle of Siffin in 37 AH while fighting on the side of Ali ibn Abi Talib, fulfilling the Prophet's prophecy. Even in extreme old age, he had marched to battle, and his death caused great consternation, as both sides recognized the implications of the Prophet's words.