Reflections from the Age of Bliss

Abdullah bin Hudhafah as-Sahmi

Radiyallahu anh

Abdullah bin Hudhafah as-Sahmi was one of the first Muslims. He lived through the most harrowing times, during which Muslims were persecuted in Makkah, and eventually joined the second hijrah to Habashistan with his brother Qays bin Hudhafah.

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent a letter he addressed to the Persian Emperor with a delegation headed by Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh), who was known to possess a high level of representative skills.

He also took part in the conquest of Syria during the caliphate of Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh). Later, he joined the army division sent for the conquest of Egypt and passed away there during the last years of the caliphate of Uthman bin Affan (radiyallahu anh).

Sources cite multiple narrations that mention his indomitable heroism and strength of iman. We present two such accounts here.

In the sixth year of the hijri calendar, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) wanted to invite rulers of other nations to Islam by sending some of his companions as envoys to them. This, however, was a perilous mission. The messengers were to travel to foreign territories they’d never been to, where they did not speak the native languages. They didn’t know the dispositions or characters of the kings they were being sent to to convey the message of Islam. They weren’t even aware of what standard protocols the nations they were visiting might have for engaging in diplomatic relations. On top of all this, they were there to request them to renounce their religion and accept Islam.

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) addressed his companions with the following words:

– I wanted to send some of you to rulers of other nations as a messenger. Do not oppose me as the Children of Israel were against Jesus.

The companions replied:

We do as you bid, O Rasulullah. Send us where you wish.

The Persian Emperor (Kisra)

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) to the Persian Emperor Kisra, who ruled over the land known as Iran today.

The emperor and his statesmen welcomed them wearing their most luxurious ceremonial attire. Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh), on the other hand, came before them with a simple cardigan on his back and a scarf covering his head.

Kisra signaled his men to take the letter from Abdullah bin Hudhafah. Abdullah bin Hudhafah then said:

- Rasulullah ordered me to deliver this letter to you in person. I cannot disobey him.

So, Kisra allowed him to approach and hand him the letter. Then he gave the letter to his translator and ordered him to read it. The letter began thusly:

“In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Kisra, the leader of Persia. Peace be upon him who follows the right guidance…”

Hearing that the letter didn’t begin with his name, Kisra leapt to his feet with fury, grabbed the letter, and tore it into pieces. He then said:

- How dare he place his name before mine even though I am the emperor!

Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) was subsequently removed from the palace. He got on his mount, returned to Medinah, and upon arrival, told Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) about the events that transpired. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

–May Allah destroy his kingdom.

Several years later, Emperor Kisra was murdered by his son. Later, the Persian lands occupied by today’s Iran were conquered by the Muslims during the caliphate of Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh).

The Byzantine Emperor (Caesar)

Nineteen years after Hijrah, Umar (radiyallahu anh) sent an army, whose ranks were joined by Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh), to battle against the Byzantine, also known as ar-Rum in Arabic. The Byzantine Emperor commanded that a number of the followers of the new, fast-spreading religion, Islam, be brought as prisoners. Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) was among the prisoners brought before the emperor.

Caesar gave Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) a long, hard look and said:

- I have an offer for you.

- What is it?

- I offer you Christianity. If you accept, I will release you and grant you a boon.

- Death a thousand times is a far better choice than what you call me to.

- I believe you are a person of sound mind. If you take up my call, I will grant you the position of governor.

Smiling, Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) said:

- Even if you lay all your wealth, nay, everything that Arab people have at my feet, let alone the title of governor, I will not yield what Rasulullah gave me even for a moment.

- Then you die!

- Do as you wish!

With that, they tied Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) to a large post and lined up archers in front of him. Caesar ordered them to aim for his hands and feet. While the archers were poised to loose their arrows to frighten him into submission, Caesar was still urging him to become a Christian. When Caesar realized Abdullah’s will would not be undone in this manner, he had him untied and led to a massive cauldron. It was filled with boiling oil right before his eyes and another of the Muslim captives was thrown into it. Upon seeing tears stream down his face, Caesar thought the fear of death had finally taken hold within him, so he pressed Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) once more to become a Christian. When he refused, the flustered emperor spouted in frustration:

- Look at yourself! Why are you crying then?

- I’m crying because I said to myself, “You will now be dropped into this cauldron. For this torturous end, you will gain the akhirah. I wish I had thousands of bodies, all of whom I could sacrifice for Allah so that I would be rewarded by my Rabb for each one.”

Moved by these powerful words, Caesar decided to give him leniency:

- Then show me a gesture of respect in front of my people and kiss my forehead. Do this, and I will release you.

- What about the other Muslims?

- I will release them as well.

Abdullah bin Hudhafah (radiyallahu anh) saw nothing objectionable in these new terms. He just had to kiss the forehead of this ruler, and all Muslim captives would be free. He approached and kissed his forehead. He then returned to Medinah with the newly-emancipated Muslims.

Umar (radiyallahu anh) met them in Medinah and listened to their story. After hearing the full account of their episode, he gathered everyone around and called to them:

- It is every Muslim’s duty to kiss Abdullah bin Hudhafah’s forehead.

Following this, Umar (radiyallahu anh) walked up to Abdullah bin Hudhafah and kissed his forehead.