Wahshi ibn Harb

Wahshi ibn Harb was an Abyssinian slave skilled with the javelin who is remembered for two pivotal killings. At the Battle of Uhud (3 AH), his master Jubayr ibn Mut'im promised him freedom if he killed Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib — the Prophet's uncle and one of the greatest Muslim warriors. Wahshi tracked Hamza, waited for an opportunity, and hurled his javelin at him from a distance. Hamza fell and Wahshi retrieved his weapon and returned to Makkah, where he was freed. His mistress Hind bint Utbah (wife of Abu Sufyan) then mutilated Hamza's body in her rage against him. When Makkah was conquered in 8 AH, the Prophet ﷺ granted amnesty to all — but asked Wahshi not to come before him, as looking at the man who killed Hamza was painful for him. Wahshi converted to Islam. He then asked the Prophet: 'O Messenger of Allah, will there be any redemption for me?' The verse of Quran 25:70 was revealed about those who repent. Later, at the Battle of Yamama, Wahshi killed Musaylima al-Kadhdhab (the false prophet) with the same javelin he had used to kill Hamza. He said: 'I killed the best of men and then the worst of men.' He settled in Homs, Syria, where he died around 30 AH.