Uteybe’s Death by a Lion

Islamic History

Uteybe's Death by a Lion

Uteybe set out with a Quraysh trade caravan. They stayed overnight in a place called Zerka’⁴⁴⁰. That night, a lion started prowling around them. Uteybe said, “Woe to my mother! By Allah, just as Muhammad said, this will eat me! My killer is Ibn Abi Kabsha. Even if he is in Mecca and I am in Damascus!” The lion prowled around them that night and then left! His companions took Uteybe among them and slept.⁴⁴¹ The lion returned.

It passed among them.⁴⁴² Slowly and sniffing, it reached Uteybe’s side,⁴⁴³ grabbed his head and bit him so fiercely that it killed him!⁴⁴⁴ As Uteybe was drawing his last breath, he said, “Did I not tell you that ‘Muhammad is the most truthful of men’?” and died.⁴⁴⁵ Upon hearing that his son had been killed by a lion, Abu Lahab said, “Did I not tell you that I fear Muhammad’s prayer concerning my son?”⁴⁴⁶ Heysemi, 6/19. Heysemi, 6/19. Heysemi, 6/19.

1. Beyhaki, Delail, 2/339, Heysemi, 6/19. Baladhuri, Ansab, 1/131, Beyhaki, Delail, 1/339. Baladhuri, Ansab, 1/131. Beyhaki, Delail, 2/339. Beyhaki, Delail, 2/339. Zerka’ is in Hawran. (Baladhuri, Ansab, 1/131) Beyhaki, Delail, 2/339, Heysemi, 6/19. Baladhuri, Ansab, 1/131. Baladhuri, Ansab, 1/131, Beyhaki, Delail, 2/339, Heysemi, 6/19. Baladhuri, Ansab, 1/131. Beyhaki, Delail, 2/338.

Back to the Asım Köksal History of Islam Index