The Bi’r Ma’una Massacre
In the fourth year after the Hijra, a delegation from the Banu Amir approached the Prophet, claiming that their tribe was inclined toward Islam and requesting teachers. The Prophet sent seventy of the best Quran-reciters to teach them. Near the well of Bi’r Ma’una, they were ambushed by the Banu Lihyan — a tribe with a blood grievance against Asim ibn Thabit for killing their men at Uhud.
Asim ibn Thabit died fighting in the ambush. Of the seventy sent, only two survived.
The Bees
When the Banu Lihyan went to collect Asim’s head — Sulafa bint Sa’d had vowed to drink from his skull — they could not reach his body. A swarm of bees (or wasps — zanbur, dabbur) had formed around the corpse and drove off anyone who approached.
They waited through the night, hoping the insects would disperse. Instead, a flash flood came and carried the body away.
The Prophet’s Words
When told of the incident, the Prophet said something to the effect that God had protected Asim in death as Asim had protected God in life — a reciprocal fidelity. The story was told as evidence of divine protection for the sincere and became a touchstone for the concept that physical martyrdom does not end God’s relationship with the believer’s remains.
The lineage connection: Asim’s daughter became the mother of Asim ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab — making the second Caliph’s son the grandson of this martyred archer.
See also: Seerah Khandaq, Seerah Al Miswar Ibn Makhrama, Seerah Saad Ibn Muadh, Seerah Zaid Ibn Arqam, Seerah Jabir Ibn Samurah