We have narrated this event in detail in a different book...

We have narrated this event in detail in a different book called “ The Effects of the Revolution of ‘Āshūrā ”. Those interested in reading more about this event can refer to this book. When Hanzalah set out towards the battlefield, he was worried about how and where to find water in order to perform his ritual ablution [ ghusl ]. Hanzalah was also sad because of his father, who was one of the most obstinate enemies of Islam and one of the hostile foes of the Noble Prophet (S) of Allah.

Hanzalah ibn Āmir displayed a lot of courage and bravery on the battlefield. He drove deep into the enemy ground and managed to find Abū Sufyān. He tracked and followed Abū Sufyān’s horse. Hanzalah ibn Āmir was very close to killing him when Abū Sufyān called out to the polytheists to come to his help and save him from perdition. The polytheists responded to his call and hurried up to save their master. One of the infidels by the name of Shaddād ibn Aws intercepted Hanzalah and confronted him.

Abū Sufyān found the chance to throw a spear at Hanzalah from behind. The spear struck Hanzalah in the back. He turned with the intention of going forward to kill Abū Sufyān, but the spear had already taken its toll and done its job. Hanzalah fell on the ground and joined the other honorable martyrs of this war such as Hamzah, the Noble Prophet’s (S) uncle, ‘Abd Allāh ibn Hazām and the others.

When the war of Uhud came to an end, the Noble Prophet (S) stated in very beautiful sentences, ‘“I saw the angels washing Hanzalah and performing the ritual ablution [ ghusl ] on him in clean and pure water.” It was after this statement that Hanzalah, the prolific youth of Islam, acquired the title, “Hanzalah Ghasīl al-Malā’ikah” (Hanzalah the one who was washed by the angels).[^1] This prolific youth from the household of Abū Āmir Rāhib, preferred fighting in the way of Allah to remaining next to his wife.

He freed himself from the momentary pleasures of this world and even though he did not find water for the ritual ablution [ ghusl ], it is a cause of great pride for him that the angels performed the ritual ablution [ ghusl ] on him with the pure and eternal water of paradise. [^1]: Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 20, p. 55; Al-Isābah, vol. 1, p. 360; Usd al-Ghābah, vol. 3, p. 147; Ibn Hishām, Al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah [Trans.], vol. 2, p. 101; Tārīkh-e Payāmbar-e Islām, p. 328. Previous…