The First Martyrs In Islam

‛Ammaar ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with them both) was a slave of Banu Makhzoom from the Quraish tribe. When he and his parents (may Allah be pleased with them all) embraced Islam, the pagans of Makkah were infuriated and began torturing them. They forced ‛Ammaar and his parents (may Allah be pleased with them all) to lie down on hot rocks under the blazing sun, dragged about, and beaten. According to historical documents, they were punished for accepting Islam, 'The pagans of Makkah, led by Abu Jahl, would drag ‛Ammaar, his father Yasir and his mother Sumayyah (may Allah be pleased with them all) out to the scorching hot valleys of Makkah to punish them'

Whenever the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed by and saw them writhing in excruciating pain, he would console them, saying,
"Bear it patiently, O family of Yasir Your promised place is Paradise."

The torturers eventually killed ‛Ammaar's father (Yasir may Allah be pleased with them both). His mother (Sumayyah may Allah be pleased with her) was killed by Abu Jahl when he ran a spear through her navel. Sumayyah (may Allah be pleased with her) became the first woman martyr in the history of Islam.

The disbelievers tortured ‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) in a variety of ways. They would make him lie down on burning, rocky earth, place hot rocks on his chest, or pour boiling water over him, 'while telling him they would not stop until he insulted the Prophet and spoke well of their deities.'

Ibn Katheer, quoting Ibn Jareer (may Allah have mercy on them both), said that the disbelievers of Makkah would tell ‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) to say derogatory words about the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Unable to bear the pain, he would sometimes do so, but always repent later.

‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) told the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about this.

The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) it asked him, "How do you feel in your heart then?"

‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "I feel my heart is content with the faith."

The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "If they do so again, you do the same."

Thereupon, Allah it revealed the following verse to His Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) "Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief, except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion]while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment." Qur'an Surah An-Naḥl 16:106.

Al-Baladhuri has quoted Muhammad ibn Ka‛b (may Allah have mercy on them all) as saying, "‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) would be tortured so much that he did not know what he was saying."