Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan - The Keeper of Secrets

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#1 [Permalink] Posted on 12th October 2016 17:18

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

It is said that a child will take after the person after whom he was named. Give the child a good name and the child will pick up good qualities; give him a bad name and you'll get the opposite. It is for this reason that the `Ulamaa have stated that Muslims should name their children after the Ambiyaa and the Sahaabah, so that the children can In Shaa Allaah obtain at least some of the noble qualities of the one he was named after. I had the fortune of being named after the legendary Sahaabi, Hadhrat Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه, who was titled "The Keeper of Secrets". I feel it is a duty upon me to write a little about his life and his noble qualities. A Kitaab (in Arabic) has been written on the life of Hadhrat Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه by Shaykh Ibraaheem ibn Muhammad al-`Ali al-Atrash al-Janeeni (b. 1,377 A.H.) . What I will do is to translate relevant passages from this Kitaab into English and post it in this thread, which I dedicate to my namesake.

The original Arabic Kitaab of Shaykh Ibraaheem al-`Ali al-Janeeni is called: حذيفة بن اليمان أمين سر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan: The Secret-Keeper of Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم".

May Allaah Ta`aalaa make it a means of benefit, both to myself and to those who read it, Aameen.

Was-Salaam.

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-Huzaifah-

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#2 [Permalink] Posted on 12th October 2016 17:20

This Man:

"I wish that this house was filled with men like Abu `Ubaydah ibn al-Jarraah, Mu`aadh ibn Jabal and Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan, so that I could employ them in the obedience of Allaah (i.e. in the Path of Allaah)."

[ - Hadhrat `Umar ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه]

"He knew who are the Munaafiqeen. He questioned about the intricate matters. If you ask him, you will find him to be an `Aalim (i.e. very knowledgeable) concerning it."

[ - Hadhrat `Ali ibn Abi Taalib رضي الله عنه]

"Is there not among you the Saahib-us-Sirr (Keeper of the Secret) which none besides him knew, i.e. Huzaifah?"

[ - Hadhrat Abu-d Dardaa رضي الله عنه]

"Huzaifah was the secret-keeper of Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم."

[ - Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه]

"The most knowledgeable regarding the trials and the conditions of the heart; the one who knew the Fitan (tribulations), the calamities and the faults."

[ - Imaam Abu Nu`aym al-Asbahaani رحمة الله عليه]

"The secret-keeper of Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Only he knew the Munaafiqeen."

[ - Imaam an-Nawawi رحمة الله عليه]

"Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan, the secret-keeper of Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم."

[ - Imaam Abu `Abdillaah al-Haakim رحمة الله عليه]

"From the elite of the companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم; he was the keeper of secrets."

[ - Abu `Abdillaah adh-Dhahabi رحمة الله عليه]

"Huzaifah was from the Kibaar (i.e. Akaabireen/seniors) of the companions of Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم."

[ - Imaam ibn Hajr al-`Asqalaani رحمة الله عليه]

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-Huzaifah-

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#3 [Permalink] Posted on 12th October 2016 17:23

His Name, His Lineage and His Title:

He is Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan. Al-Yamaan is a title. The name of the father of Hadhrat Huzaifah رضي الله عنه is Hisl (some narrations say Husayl) ibn Jaabir ibn `Amr ibn Rabee`ah ibn Jarwah ibn al-Haarith ibn Maazin ibn Qatee`ah ibn `Abs ibn Bagheedh ibn Rayth ibn Ghatafaan ibn Sa`d ibn Qays ibn `Aylaan ibn Mudhar ibn Nazaar ibn Ma`d ibn `Adnaan al-`Absi, the ally of Bani `Abd al Ash-hal from the Ansaar. [See: Tahdheeb al-Asmaa' wal-Lughaat, Taareekh Baghdaad and al-Istee`aab.]

Hadhrat Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه was given the title of "Abu `Abdillaah" (the Father of `Abdullaah). It is mentioned in "Taareekh Baghdaad": "Huzaifah was titled "Abu `Abdillaah". His mother was from Bani `Abd al Ash-hal, and she was named ar-Rubaab." [See: Siyar A`laam An-Nubalaa, and Taareekh Baghdaad.]

The reason for his father being named "al-Yamaan" (the Yemeni) is because he had allied himself with the Ansaar, and they are from Yemen, so he was given that title. Al-Yamaan was the title of Hisl. Al-Kalbee and ibn Sa`d said it was the title of Jarwah. It is also said that he (the father of Hadhrat Huzaifah رضي الله عنه) was named "al-Yamaan" because he had killed a person from his nation, then fled to Madeenah. There, he made an alliance with Bani `Abd al Ash-hal from the Ansaar. Thus, his nation named him "al-Yamaan" (the Yemeni), because he had made an alliance with the Ansaar, and the Ansaar are (originally) from Yemen. [See: Tahdheeb al-Asmaa' wal-Lughaat, al-Isaabah, Siyar A`laam An-Nubalaa, al-Mustadrak lil-Haakim and al-Istee`aab.]

The father of Hadhrat Huzaifah رضي الله عنه did not witness the Battle of Badr with Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, on account of a very unique incident. What happened has been explained by Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه himself. He says:

"Nothing prevented me from taking part in Badr except that I and my father - Husayl - had gone out (to Madeenah, to join the Muslim army) but we were seized by the Kuffaar of Quraysh. They asked us, "Are you intending to go to Muhammad?" We said, "We are not intending to go to him. We have no intention of going anywhere except Madeenah." They took from us a covenant that by Allaah we will only go to Madeenah and we will not fight alongside him (i.e. Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم). (Upon arriving in Madeenah,) We went to Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and informed him of what had transpired. He said, "Go. Fulfil the covenant you had taken with them. We will seek the Help of Allaah against them." [See: Saheeh Muslim (Chapter of Fulfilling the Oath), Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, al-Mustadrak lil-Haakim and al-Mu`jam al-Kabeer of Imaam at-Tabraani.]

[Translator's Note: What had happened here is that on the way to Madeenah in order to join the Mujaahideen, Hadhrat Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه and his father were captured by the Kuffaar. They knew that if they admitted to wanting to join Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, they would have been kept as prisoners and thus miss out on joining the fight. They thought that if they were to deny that allegation, they could instead head to Madeenah and join the fight. However, because they had taken an oath in the Name of Allaah, Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered them to fill that oath and to not join the battle.]

However, he and his son, Huzaifah, took part in the Battle of Uhud alongside Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, and he (Hadhrat Husayl رضي الله عنه) became a Shaheed that day. Some of the Sahaabah killed him mistakenly, without recognising him, on account of the fact that the garments were similar and the faces were covered.

Imaam adh-Dhahabi رحمة الله عليه said:

"He and his son, Huzaifah, took part in Uhud, and he became a Shaheed that day. Some of the Sahaabah killed him mistakenly, without recognising him, on account of the fact that they were dressed in the garbs of war and covered their faces. Thus, if they did not have a clear sign, a brother would mistakenly kill his brother without realising it." [See: Siyar A`laam An-Nubalaa.]

The story of how he (Hadhrat Husayl رضي الله عنه) attained Shahaadah is narrated by Hadhrat `Aa'ishah رضي الله عنها. She says:

"On the day of Uhud, the Mushrikoon (polytheists) were defeated. Iblees لعنة الله عليه shouted, "O slaves of Allaah, behind you!" Hearing that, the front lines of the (Muslim army) turned back and started fighting with the back lines. Huzaifah looked, and upon seeing his father, al-Yamaan (being targeted mistakenly by the Muslims), he shouted, "O Slaves of Allaah! It's my father! It's my father!" She said, "Wallaahi (By Allaah), they did not stop until they had killed him. So Huzaifah said, "May Allaah forgive you.""

`Urwah said: So by Allaah, there never ceased to be goodness in Huzaifah until he met Allaah." [See: Saheeh al-Bukhaari, ibn Sa`d in at-Tabaqaat, Imaam al-Haakim, and Imaam al-Bayhaqi in ad-Dalaa'il]

[Translator's Note: How amazing were Sahaabah-e-Kiraam...His father is killed, and the very first words out of his mouth is, "May Allaah forgive you."

...الله أكبر

That is what made the Sahaabah so unique.]

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#4 [Permalink] Posted on 15th October 2016 14:47

There are narrations which provide insight into the kind of personality the father of Huzaifah رضي الله عنه and how much he loved Shahaadah (Martyrdom).

Mahmood ibn Labeed reports:

"When Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم left for the Battle of Uhud, Husail ibn Jaabir - the father of Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan - and Thaabit ibn Qays were left in the hills (of Madeenah) with the women and children (on account of their old ages). One of them said to the other, and they were both old men, "You have no father. What are you waiting for? For by Allaah, nothing remains from either of ours lives except (as much as the time between two) milkings of a donkey. We are at the summit of our lives today or tomorrow (i.e. we may die today or tomorrow). Should we not then take our swords and join Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, so that perhaps Allaah may grant us Shahaadah with Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم?"

Thus, both of them took their swords and went out. They entered among the people (i.e. the armies), and they were not known (i.e. neither army knew which side they were on). As for Thaabit ibn Qays, then he was killed by the Mushrikoon (polytheists). And as for Husail ibn Jaabir, then he was killed by the swords of the Muslimeen; they killed him without recognising him.

Huzaifah said: "(It is) my father."

They said: "Wallaahi (by Allaah), if we recognised him (we would not have done this)." And they spoke the truth.

Huzaifah said: "May Allaah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy."

Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم wanted the Diyah (blood-money) for him (i.e. Husail) to be paid (to Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan). (It was paid) and he gave it as Sadaqah (charity) for the Muslimeen. This increased him in goodness (in the eyes of) Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم." [See: Ibn Hishaam, Taareekh at-Tabari.]

As for the mother of Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan, then she was a woman from the Ansar, from (the tribe of) al-Aws, from Bani `Abd al Ash-hal. Her name was ar-Rubaab bint Ka`b ibn `Adi ibn `Abd al Ash-hal. [See: Al-Istee`aab fee Ma`rifah al As-haab, Taareekh Baghdaad, and al-Isaabah fee Tamyeez as-Sahaabah.]

(Imaam) ibn Hajr said: "Ibn Sa`d and ibn Habeeb mentioned her among those who gave Bay`ah to Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم from the women. Ibn Sa`d said: "She gave birth (from al-Yamaan) to: Huzaifah, Sa`d, Safwaan, Mudlij and Laylaa." [See: Al-Isaabah fee Tamyeez as-Sahaabah.]

Something which shows her intelligence and her love for Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم is the way she would encourage her son, Huzaifah, to remain in the company of Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and not leave him. For that reason, she rebuked him (on one occasion) for having not met Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم for a period of time. When Huzaifah رضي الله عنه informed Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم of what his mother had done, he (Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم) made Du`aa of Maghfirah (forgiveness from Allaah Ta`aalaa) for her and for him (i.e. Huzaifah رضي الله عنه).

Hadhrat Huzaifah رضي الله عنه narrates: "My mother asked me, "When last were you with Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم?" I said to her, "Since such-and-such a time." He said, "So she began rebuking me severely, so I said, "Leave me. I am going to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم, to perform Maghrib with him. Thereafter I will not leave him until he asks (Allaah Ta`aalaa) to forgive me and you."

He says, "So I went to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم and performed Maghrib with him. Thereafter, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم performed `Ishaa, and then got up (to leave), and I followed him. A person met him (along the way), and they spoke. When he (the person) left, I followed (Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم). He heard my voice, so he asked, "Who is it?" I said, "Huzaifah." He asked, "What's the matter?" So I narrated to him what had transpired. He said, "May Allaah forgive you and your mother." Thereafter he said, "Did you not see the person who had come up to me just a short while ago?" I said, "Most certainly." He said, "He was a Malak (angel) from the Malaa'ikah. He had never descended to the earth before this night. He asked his Rabb `Azza wa Jall permission to give Salaam to me, and he informed me that al-Hasan and al-Husain are the leaders of the youth of the people of Jannah, and that Faatimah is the leader of the women of the people of Jannah (رضي الله عنهم)." [See: Sunan at-Tirmidhee, Musnad Ahmad, Sunan an-Nasaa'i, al-Mustadrak `ala-s Saheehayn lil-Haakim, and Ibn Hibbaan. Imaam al-Haakim authenticates it and Imaam adh-Dhahabi agrees with him on it. The Isnaad (chain of narrators) of the Hadeeth is Saheeh (authentic).]

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Huzaifah ibn al-Yamaan - The Keeper of Secrets

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