حرام بن ملحان
Haram ibn Milhan
Martyr of Bi'r Ma'una, Messenger of the Quran
Xidhiidhka uu la lahaa Nabiga ﷺ
Haram ibn Milhan was trusted by the Prophet ﷺ as one of the most learned Quran teachers, selected for the sensitive and important mission of teaching Islam to new communities. The Prophet's ﷺ deep grief upon hearing of his martyrdom and the Bi'r Ma'una massacre was one of the most prolonged expressions of sorrow in the seerah. The Prophet ﷺ reportedly continued the qunut supplication for a full month after the massacre, and classical sources say the grief of Bi'r Ma'una was the deepest personal bereavement the Prophet ﷺ experienced aside from the deaths of family members. Haram's final words transformed his death into a declaration of victory.
Dhacdooyinka Muhiimka ah ee Nolosha
Born in Madinah; became a scholar of Quran and da'wah
Participated in the Hijra and early Madinah community
Selected as one of the 70 Quran teachers sent to teach the Arab tribes
Ambushed and martyred at Bi'r Ma'una by the Banu Sulaym
His last words — "I have succeeded!" — became immortal in Islamic literature
Prophet ﷺ wept for weeks and instituted qunut prayers for the martyrs
Taariikh Nololeed Dhamaystiran
Haram ibn Milhan al-Ansari was a notable companion from the Ansar who became famous for his heroic martyrdom at the Tragedy of Bi'r Ma'una in 625 CE. He was the brother-in-law of Anas ibn Malik and one of the leading transmitters of Quranic teaching to the Arab tribes.
In 625 CE, a delegation came to the Prophet ﷺ from certain Arab tribes claiming they wanted to learn Islam. The Prophet ﷺ sent seventy of the most learned companions — Quran teachers — to these tribes to teach them the faith. Haram ibn Milhan was among the most senior of these scholars.
The delegation was ambushed at a place called Bi'r Ma'una (the Well of Ma'una) by the Banu Sulaym and their allies, in one of the most treacherous betrayals of the early Islamic period. Seventy Quran teachers were killed in this massacre — the largest single-day loss of life in early Islam up to that point.
Haram ibn Milhan's death was particularly notable. When he was struck from behind with a spear, he caught his blood in his hands and threw it up saying: "By the Lord of the Ka'ba, I have succeeded!" This declaration of success at the moment of martyrdom became one of the most celebrated statements of faith in early Islamic literature. The Prophet ﷺ wept deeply when news of Bi'r Ma'una reached him, and Qunoot (supplication) prayers were added to the daily prayer for a period in honor of these martyrs.
Hadallo Caan ah
By the Lord of the Ka'ba, I have succeeded! (his final words as the spear struck)
We came to teach — we die for what we came to give.
Casharro Noloshaada loogu talagalay
True success is not worldly achievement but dying in the path of Allah.
The commitment to teaching the Quran is a calling worth giving one's life for.
Betrayal by those who feigned seeking knowledge is a reminder to be vigilant.
A single declaration of faith at the moment of death can echo through centuries.
The Prophet's ﷺ grief for scholars lost to betrayal shows how precious knowledge-bearers are.
Sida Loogu Eg Yahay Iyaga
Ma rabtaa inaad raacdo tallaabooyinkii Haram ibn Milhan? Ku bilow tallaabooyinkan la dhaqan-gelin karo ee laga soo qaaday noloshooda.
- 1
True success is not worldly achievement but dying in the path of Allah.
- 2
The commitment to teaching the Quran is a calling worth giving one's life for.
- 3
Betrayal by those who feigned seeking knowledge is a reminder to be vigilant.
- 4
A single declaration of faith at the moment of death can echo through centuries.
- 5
The Prophet's ﷺ grief for scholars lost to betrayal shows how precious knowledge-bearers are.