The Messenger of God married Khadija, the mother of the believers, and they had six children, Qasim, Zaynab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum, Fatima, and Abdullah. Upon reaching marriageable age, the Prophet married Zaynab to Abu al-As ibn ur-Rabi, the son of Khadija’s aunt. Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum were married to Utba and Utayba, respectively, both of whom were sons of Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Messenger of God. When the Prophet began publically conveying God’s message in Mecca, Abu Lahab and some of his family members became increasingly hostile to God’s Messenger. And after the revelation of Tabbat (the Qur’anic chapter which foretells the perishing of Abu Lahab and his wife) Abu Lahab, his wife Umm Jamil, and other notables of the Quraysh disccused it among themselves and then told Utba and Utayba:
“Divorce the daughters of Muhammad and send them back to their father’s home. If you do so, we will marry you to the most beautiful girls in Mecca.”
“We will promptly divorce them,” replied Utba and Utayba.
Not satisfied with the impact of his decision, Utayba went to Messenger of God and told him:
“O Muhammad! I do not love you and do not accept the religion you say you propagate. I also divorce your daughter. There will no longer be a son-in-law and fatherin-law relationship between you and me. I no longer love and respect you, and you also do not love me anymore.”
Utayba’s words hurt the Prophet very much. In addition to his verbal assault, Utayba lunged at him.
“O my Lord! Scourge him with one of your dogs,” prayed the Messenger of God.
Not long after this incident, Utayba went to Damascus to trade. When he and his associates rested at a place named Zarqa, a lion appeared and started roaming around them. Utayba instantly recalled the words of God’s Messenger and yelled:
“Oh my God, this lion will dismember me. Ibn Abi Kabsha (implying the Messenger of God) is in Mecca. However, everybody should know that he is my murderer.”
After a while, the lion disappeared. However, when everyone was sleeping, it returned and attacked Utayba, dismembering him.
