almuhtada.org – Prophet Syam’un Al-Ghazi was one of the prophets sent by Allah SWT to earth, specifically to the Children of Israel.
Although the name of Prophet Syam’un is not included among the 25 prophets that must be believed in, his character is still worthy of being known by Muslims, and it is even mentioned that he was the one behind the night of Lailatul Qadar. Read the full story of Prophet Syam’un below.
Who is Prophet Syam’un Al-Ghazi?
Prophet Syam’un was a prophet from the Children of Israel who was sent by Allah SWT to the land of Rome. Prophet Syam’un was a long-haired hero who carried a weapon like a sword made from a camel’s jawbone.
Quoting from the book 99 Intellectual and Faith Satisfaction for Teenagers by Wulan Mulya Pratiwi, one day the Prophet Muhammad SAW gathered with his friends during the holy month of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad SAW suddenly smiled to himself, and his friends asked what made him smile. He replied,
“It was shown to me on the Day of Judgment, when all of humanity is gathered on the Field of Masyar, that there is a prophet who carries a sword and has no followers, yet he enters Paradise. He is Syam’un.
Prophet Syam’un is known as a brave and courageous hero. He was blessed with the miracle of softening iron and destroying palaces.
He was able to kill thousands of disbelievers on his own. Thousands of disbelievers were defeated by him alone, and of course, with the permission of Allah SWT.
Ibn Abbas RA from the Prophet SAW confirmed, “That the angel Jibril narrated the story of a man named Syam’un Al-Ghazi to the Prophet SAW. He had fought against the disbelievers for 1000 years, armed only with camel beard hair. Even though he only used camel beard hair, when he struck his disbelieving enemies with it, countless numbers of them were killed. When he felt thirsty, Syam’un simply drank fresh water that flowed from between his teeth, and when he felt hungry, meat grew from his body, which he then ate.”
The power of Prophet Syam’un Al-Ghazi is also the background for the revelation of Laylatul Qadar, which is also the reason for the revelation of Surah Al-Qadr.
The Story of Prophet Syam’un Al-Ghazi Behind Lailatul Qadar
As narrated in the book Hikayat Kearifan by Bahrudin Achmad, Syam’un’s condition in the war in the way of Allah SWT allowed him to survive every day throughout his 1000 months.
The disbelieving enemies were powerless against Syam’un’s attacks. Therefore, they tried to persuade Syam’un’s wife to trap him.
“We will give you a large amount of wealth if you can kill your husband,” they said, trying to persuade Syam’un’s wife.
“I am a woman; how could I possibly kill him?” replied Syam’un’s wife.
“We will give you a strong rope. Tie your husband’s hands and feet while he is sleeping, and then we will kill him,” they said.
Then, his wife tied Syam’un while he was asleep, and when Syam’un woke up, he was shocked. Syam’un said, “Who tied me with this rope?”
“I tied you up just to test your strength,” replied Syam’un’s wife. Then Syam’un immediately pulled his hand and the rope was immediately cut.
After that, the disbelieving enemies returned and brought Syam’un’s wife an iron chain. Then, when Syam’un fell asleep, his wife tied him up with the iron chain again. When Syam’un woke up, he asked again, “Who tied me up with this iron chain?”
“I tied you up, just to see how strong you are,” his wife replied. Then, Syam’un pulled the iron chain, and it broke.
Finally, Syam’un said to his wife, “O my wife, I am a guardian of Allah among the many Waliyullah on this earth. No one can defeat me in worldly matters, except for my long hair.”
His wife paid close attention to her husband’s every word. Then, while Syam’un was asleep, his wife immediately cut eight strands of his hair, which were long enough to reach the ground, and began to tie his hands with four strands of hair, and the other four strands were tied to his legs. When Syam’un woke up, he asked again, “Who tied me up?”
“I just wanted to test your strength,” replied his wife. Then, Syam’un pulled with all his might, but he was powerless to break the ties.
Then, his wife immediately informed the disbelieving enemies, and they immediately came and took Syam’un to the place of slaughter.
He was then tied to a pole, and they began to torture him by cutting off both his ears, poking out both his eyes, cutting off his lips, and cutting off both his hands and feet, and all his disbelieving enemies gathered at the place of slaughter.
Then Allah SWT revealed to him, “O Syam’un, what do you want? I will grant it to you, and I will punish them.
Syam’un replied, “O Allah, I only want You to give me strength so that I can move this pillar and destroy them all.
Then, Allah SWT gave him strength, and he was able to move his body. At that moment, the pillar collapsed, and the house was destroyed. The roof fell on the disbelievers, and all of them were destroyed, including his disbelieving wife.
Only Syam’un himself survived thanks to the help of Allah SWT, and all his limbs returned to normal. Syam’un then returned to worship Allah SWT for 1000 months, performing prayers at night and fasting during the day, and returning to fight with weapons in the way of Allah SWT.
In the book Quran Hadith by Asep BR, it is mentioned that after hearing the story of Syam’un, the friends of the Prophet Muhammad SAW cried with emotion.
Then, Allah SWT revealed Surah Al-Qadar through the angel Jibril,
“O Muhammad, Allah SWT has given Lailatul Qadar to you and your people, worship on that night is better than worship for 1,000 months.”
There is even a scholar who explains,
“Allah SWT said, ‘O Muhammad, praying two rak’ahs on Lailatul Qadr is better for you and your people than taking up arms/warring in the time of Bani Israil for 1,000 months’.”
The story of Prophet Syam’un Al-Ghazi reminds Muslims that Allah values sincerity and perseverance over the length of one’s life. Through Lailatul Qadar, Allah grants this ummah the opportunity to attain immense rewards within a limited time, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in faith and consistent in worship.
[]Fahdina Dean Yustisia
