Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (RA)
Early Life and Environment:
A woman named Umm Anmar purchased Khabbab from the slave market in Makkah, and she placed Khabbab as a blacksmith in Makkah to learn the art of making swords.
Khabbab learnt this quickly and soon became an expert and from this, Umm Anmar set up a workshop for him with all the necessary equipment for him to make swords.
Well-Renowned in Makkah:
Khabbab became very famous in Makkah for his craftsmanship and Umm Anmar gained a lot of profit through him.
Acceptance of Islam:
Khabbab ibn al-Aratt was privileged to be in Makkah when the religion of Islam entered the city through the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Khabbab went and listened to the Prophet and learnt the teachings directly through him.
Without any doubt, he accepted Islam and pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
One of the Early Muslims of Islam:
Khabbab ibn al-Aratt was one of the first ten people to accept Islam.
Umm Anmar’s Reaction:
When Umm Anmar heard this, she became very angry and went to her brother Siba ibn Abd al-Uzza.
Persecution in Makkah:
Siba ibn Abd al-Uzza gathered a group of people from the tribe of Khuza’ah and they found Khabbab.
Siba said: We have been told that you have given up your religion and that you now follow the man from Banu Hashim.
Khabbab replied: I have not given up my religion, I only believe in One God Who has no partners. I reject your idols and I believe that Muhammad is the Servant of Allah and His Messenger.
As soon as Khabbab said this, Siba and his group beat him until he became unconscious.
The Quraysh’ Reaction to Khabbab ibn al-Aratt:
Khabbab’s belief in Allah SWT alone shocked the leaders of the Quraysh. This was because, they knew that he had no protection in Makkah, but despite this, he was brave enough to reject the religion of their forefathers.
Khabbab‘s Courage Influencing People to Accept Islam:
Many people were impressed by Khabbab’s courage and they all decided to announce their acceptance of Islam publicly.
The Quraysh’ Plot:
The leaders of the Quraysh gathered to discuss the problems that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was causing them. The leaders included: Abu Sufyan, Al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah and Abu Jahal.
They decided that each tribe should get a hold of any follower of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and punish them until they denounce the religion of Islam or die.
Torture and Steadfastness of Khabbab ibn al-Aratt:
Siba ibn Abd al-Uzza and his people continued to punish Khabbab even further.
Dragged to the Scorching Ground:
They would drag him to an open area in Makkah under the blazing sun, where the ground burned with heat. After stripping him of his clothes, they forced him into iron armour and left him lying on the scorching earth, with the heat blistering his skin until he could barely move.
They would then challenge and ask Khabbab: what do you say about Muhammad?
Khabbab would reply: He is the Servant of Allah and His Messenger. He has come with the religion of guidance and truth, to lead us from darkness into light.
After hearing this statement, it infuriated the oppressors even more, and they increased their punishment on Khabbab.
Khabbab’s Response Regarding the Idols:
They would ask Khabbab about al-Lat and al-Uzza (their idols) and he would reply: Two idols, deaf and dumb, that cannot cause harm or bring any benefit.
Burning Stones Placed on his Back:
This would anger the Quraysh even more and they would take a big hot stone and place it on his back.
Khabbab’s pain would be excruciating but despite this, he remained firm in his belief.
Red-hot Iron Rods Pressed on his Head:
Once Umm Anmar saw the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ speaking to Khabbab at his workshop.
For many days after witnessing this, she would punish Khabbab ibn al-Aratt by placing a red hot iron from the furnace on his head.
From this severe punishment, Khabbab would often faint from this unbearable pain.
The Quraysh and the Poor Muslims:
On one occasion, a number of the Quraysh came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was with Suhayb, Bilal, Khabbab, Ammar and other poor, weak Muslims.
The Quraysh said: O Muhammad. Are you pleased with these followers from your people? Do you expect that we should follow these? Are these people on whom Allah has bestowed favours? Get them away from you. Perhaps if you get rid of them, we shall follow you.
Revelation from Allah SWT:
A revelation then came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which said: ‘And warn hereby those who fear lest they be gathered unto their Sustainer with none to protect them from Him or to intercede with Him. (This is) so that they might become fully conscious of Him. And do not repulse (any of) those who at morning or evening call upon their Sustainer, seeking His countenance. You are in no way accountable for them, just as in no way are they accountable for you, and you have no right therefore to repulse them, for then you would be among the wrong-doers.’ (Quran, 6:51-52)
Khabbab ibn al-Aratt’s Role in the Conversion of Umar ibn al-Khattab:
There was one incident when Khabbab was in the house of Sa’id ibn Zayd and his wife Fatimah bint al-Khattab. Khabbab used to go to their house in secret to recite the Quran for them.
They heard an angry shout from Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who had just heard that his sister and brother in law had accepted Islam.
Khabbab quickly hid in a corner of the house whilst Fatimah hid the manuscript of the Quran they were reading from.
Umar ibn al-Khattab heard the recitation of the Quran and because of his anger, he hit Sa’id ibn Zayd and Fatimah. When he saw the sight of blood on his sister’s face, he felt bad and asked for the scripture and prepared himself to read it.
Eventually, when Umar ibn al-Khattab recited the Ayats from Surah Taha, he was moved by these words and asked: Show me the way to Muhammad.
Khabbab’s Reaction to Umar Accepting Islam:
Upon hearing this, Khabbab rushed out from the corner he was hiding from and said: Rejoice O Umar. For I have hope that Allah had chosen you through the prayer of the Prophet on the night of (last) Thursday, when the Prophet said: O Lord, strengthen Islam through Abu Jahal or Umar ibn al-Khattab.
Umar then asked: O Khabbab, where will Muhammad be now, so I may go to him and enter Islam?
Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s Acceptance of Islam:
Khabbab ibn al-Aratt informed him that he was at the house of al-Arqam and Umar ibn al-Khattab went and declared his acceptance of Islam to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Continuous Persecution:
Khabbab would continue to be persecuted and he prayed for the punishment of Umm Anmar and her brother, Siba ibn Abd al-Uzza.
Migration to Madinah:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave permission to his companions to migrate to Madinah and here, Khabbab experienced a peaceful life among the Ansar and he was happy to be near the Prophet.
Khabbab ibn al-Aratt in Battles:
He fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ at the Battle of Badr and also participated in the Battle of Uhud.
In the Battle of Uhud, he witnessed the Prophet’s uncle Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib kill Siba ibn Abd al-Uzza, the man who severely tortured him.
Late Life Under the Caliphs:
Khabbab ibn al-Aratt lived long enough to witness the expansion of Islam under the four Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.
Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Testimony to Khabbab:
During Umar’s caliphate, he praised Khabbab by saying: No other is more deserving than you to be in this assembly other than Bilal.
Khabbab Reflecting on the Persecution He Suffered:
Umar asked Khabbab ibn al-Aratt about the torture and persecution he had received from the Quraysh.
Khabbab described this in detail and exposed his back to show the scars from the suffering and even Umar ibn Al-Khattab was shocked by what he saw.
Blessed with Wealth:
In the last phase of his life, Khabbab was blessed with a large amount of wealth.
Generosity of Khabbab ibn al-Aratt:
He was well-known for his generosity and would place his dirhams and dinars in a part of his house that was known for the poor people.
The poor and needy would come to the house and take whatever they needed without seeking permission from him.
On one occasion, a group of companions visited Khabbab when he was sick and he said: In this place, there are eighty thousand dirhams. By Allah, I have never secured it in any way that I have not barred anyone in need from it.
He started to cry and the companions asked him why he was crying. Khabbab responded: because my companions have passed away and they did not obtain any such reward in this world. I have lived on and acquired this wealth and I fear that this will be the only reward for my deeds.
Ali ibn Abi Talib After Khabbab ibn al-Aratt’s Death:
After Khabbab ibn al-Aratt passed away, the Caliph at the time, Ali ibn Abi Talib stood at his grave and said: May Allah have mercy on Khabbab. He accepted Islam wholeheartedly, he performed Hijrah willingly and he lived as a Mujahid and Allah shall not withhold the reward of one who has done good.
Hadiths Narrated by Khabbab ibn al-Aratt:
Khabbab narrated: We complained to the Prophet about the persecution we were suffering from the polytheists. We said to him: Will you not ask Allah for help for us? Will you not supplicate for us?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ replied: Among those who came before you, a man would be seized, a pit would be dug for him and he would be placed in it. Then a saw would be brought and placed on his head, and he would be cut into two pieces. Yet this would not make him abandon his religion! Another would be combed with iron combs that would tear away his flesh from his bones and nerves, but this would not turn him away from his faith. By Allah, this religion will prevail until a rider will travel from San’a to Hadramawt fearing nothing except Allah and the wolf attacking his sheep. But you are impatient! (Bukhari)
Khabbab said: if the Messenger of Allah did not forbid us from praying for death, I would have prayed for it. (An-Nasa’i)