The Uhud Martyr Muhayrik

Muhayrik was a Jewish scholar from the Banu Nadir tribe, distinguished by his knowledge and wealth. The Jewish tribes in Medina refused to help the Muslims during the Battle of Uhud (3 AH/625 CE). However, Muhayrik did not accept this attitude of his community. According to reports, when Muhayrik learned that the Battle of Uhud would take place on Saturday —the holy day for Jews— he said to the Jewish community: 'Today is Saturday; but I swear by God that you must fight for the sake of Muhammad.' The Jews rejected this, citing the Saturday prohibition. Muhayrik did not accept this excuse and said: 'If I die today, all my wealth belongs to Muhammad.' Muhayrik joined the battle and fell as a martyr at Uhud. When the Prophet Muhammad became aware of his sacrifice, he said, 'Muhayrik is the best of the Jews' and fulfilled his will by taking over his possessions. These possessions were later used for the needs of the Prophet's family and poor Muslims. [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, 'Muhayrik al-Nadri' article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/muhayrık-en-nadrı; Ibn Hisham, al-Sirah, III, 89-90]