Reflections From the Age of Bliss

Bara b. Malik

radiyallahu anh

Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) became a Muslim after Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) migrated to Medina. He participated in all battles except for the Battle of Badr. He was one of the companions who did not leave Prophet Muhammad's (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) side during the Battle of Hunayn, even though the Muslim army was in disarray.

Sources describe him as having a small stature, disheveled hair, and a beautiful voice. He was the brother of Anas bin Malik (radiyallahu anh), who served Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) for ten years.

Most of the reports about Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) concern his courage and skill in battle. Before and after embracing Islam, he engaged in more than a hundred one-on-one fights, defeating all of his enemies. He displayed great heroism in the battle against the false prophet Musaylimah the Liar. He was martyred in the Battle of Tustar against the Persians (modern-day Iran). May Allah be pleased with him.

We present a few stories from his life in this writing.

Against the False Prophet

After the passing of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), a false prophet named Musaylimah the Liar emerged. He claimed to be a prophet and gained the support of forty thousand soldiers from the Asad tribe, who were known for their skill in battle among the Arabs. Musaylimah refused to pay zakat and began gathering followers in the Yamama region.

To quell this discord, Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anh) sent armies to confront Musaylimah. The first Muslim army that was sent was defeated, so Khalid bin al-Walid (radiyallahu anh) was sent with another army to fight him.

The second Muslim army also failed to achieve victory against Musaylimah. As the Muslims prepared for one final attack, Khalid bin al-Walid sent Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) to the front lines of the Muslim army to encourage them. Bara bin Malik mounted his horse and made the following speech:

"O group of Ansar! None of you should think of returning to Medina from this point on. Do not look back! Now, in front of you, there is only martyrdom and meeting with Allah in Paradise!"

Upon hearing these words, he charged his horse towards Musaylimah. The Muslim army, inspired by Bara's bravery and fearlessness, launched a full-fledged attack. This attack was successful and they cornered Musaylimah in a fortified castle known as "Garden of Death" due to its impregnable walls. The Islamic army could not breach the walls, and the final blow was yet to be struck.

Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) gathered a group of companions from the Ansar and said, "I am the weakest among you, and the lightest. Place me on a shield near the castle gate, and lift me over the walls with your spears. I will open the gate from the inside."

The Ansar knew Bara bin Malik's (radiyallahu anh) courage and fighting ability and did as he said, placing him near the castle gate. Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) charged alone, like a lightning bolt, and successfully opened the gate. It was later revealed that he had received over seventy sword and spear wounds in battle. Finally, Musaylimah, the false prophet, was killed by Wahshi bin Harb (radiyallahu anh), and thus the false prophet crisis was resolved.

His Bravery and Prayer in the Battle of Tustar

During the caliphate of Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh), the Muslim army reached Persian territories. However, they could not conquer a fortress called Tustar. The walls of the fortress were high and heavily fortified, and the Persians were using a defense method that the Muslims had never seen before.

Their defense was as follows: Persian soldiers threw chains with hooks that had been heated in fire to make them lethal over the walls, and any Muslim soldiers who were hit by these hooks were killed instantly.

One of these hooks hit Anas bin Malik (radiyallahu anh), the brother of Bara bin Malik. Enes could not remove the hook because it was too hot to touch, and he was being pulled towards the fortress walls by Persian soldiers.

Although others tried to help him, they were unable to bear the heat of the hook. Bara bin Malik saw his brother in this state and, despite the skin on his hand melting, he managed to remove the hook and save his brother. Anas was saved, but Bara's hand was left with nothing but bones. However, he continued to fight valiantly with his other hand.

Later, the commander of the Muslim army approached Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) and said:

"O Bara! The Prophet (peace be upon him) said about people like you, who are not valued for their appearance, but whose prayers are always answered: ‘If there are any individuals with disheveled hair, covered in dust, and possessing two cloths whom no one pays any attention to, then if they swear by Allah, He will fulfill their oath. Al-Bara bin Malik is among these individuals.’ O Bara! The Islamic army is in a difficult situation. Ask Allah for victory."

Upon hearing this, Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) prayed: "O Allah, grant victory to the Muslim army. Vanquish the enemy. Do not withhold Your help from us. Let me go to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) by (becoming a martyr in) this battle."

Indeed, the Islamic army conquered the fortress shortly thereafter, but Bara bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) was martyred in the battle. May Allah be pleased with him.