Detailed Account

Shortly after the Ar-Raji incident, another tragedy occurred when Abu Bara Amir ibn Malik (chief of Banu Amir) visited Madinah and, though declining to accept Islam personally, requested teachers to instruct his tribe. Despite misgivings due to the recent Ar-Raji betrayal, the Prophet ﷺ dispatched seventy of his best companions—primarily Ansari Quran reciters—after Abu Bara promised protection. When they reached Bi'r Ma'una (a well between Makkah and Madinah), Haram ibn Milhan delivered the Prophet's ﷺ letter to Amir ibn Tufayl (Abu Bara's nephew and rival chief), who immediately killed the messenger and mobilized neighboring tribes to attack the Muslims. Abu Bara's protection proved worthless as the Muslims were surrounded and massacred, with only Ka'b ibn Zayd surviving (though severely wounded). Two companions—Amr ibn Umayyah and al-Mundhir ibn Uqbah—who had been tending the camels some distance away discovered the tragedy upon return. Al-Mundhir chose to fight and was martyred, while Amr was captured but released when he revealed his tribal connection. On his journey back to Madinah, Amr killed two men from Banu Amir, unaware they had safe conduct from the Prophet ﷺ, requiring blood money payment. This massacre deeply grieved the Prophet ﷺ, who performed qunut (special supplication) for thirty consecutive mornings, praying against the perpetrators: 'O Allah, punish Ri'l, Dhakwan, Usayyah, and Banu Lihyan.' Anas ibn Malik reported that a Quranic verse was revealed about these martyrs (later abrogated in wording but retained in meaning): 'Inform our people that we have met our Lord, and He is pleased with us, and we are pleased with Him.' This incident represented the greatest single loss of companions before the Battle of Mu'tah and significantly impacted the early Muslim community.