Reflections From the Age of Bliss

Hudhayfah bin Yaman (radiyallahu anh)

Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) was born in Medina. He embraced Islam before the Hijrah (migration to Medina). After the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) declared him and Ammar bin Yaser (radiyallahu anh) to be brothers.

During the caliphate of Uthman (radiyallahu anh), Hudhayfah proposed the idea of duplicating the Holy Quran and dispatching copies to the Islamic cities. He played a significant role in the establishment of the city of Kufa, a place that holds an important position in Islamic history.

Our beloved Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had entrusted him with numerous secrets. The companions often referred to him as the "Bearer of Secrets" or the "Possessor of Secrets." He knew each and every hypocrite in Medina by name. Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) could tell if a deceased person was a hypocrite simply by noticing if Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) was absent from their funeral.

In the 36th year after the Hijrah, forty days after pledging allegiance to Ali bin Abi Talib (radiyallahu anh), who had become the new Caliph of Islam, Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) passed away in the city of Madain. May Allah be pleased with him.

In this article, we present a few episodes from his life.

A Brother Dearer Than One’s Own Blood

When Umar bin Khattab appointed Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anhuma) as the governor of Madain, he sent a letter to its people saying, "I am sending you a man of great virtue. Listen to him and obey him."

The residents of Madain left the city to welcome their new governor. However, they failed to recognize him because of his simple and unassuming attire. Once they understood the situation, they asked him, "What salary do you demand?" To which Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) responded, "I want nothing but enough daily food to satisfy my hunger and some feed for my horse for as long as I’m among you."

Time passed, and Umar (radiyallahu anh), as was his custom, began inspecting his governors. He wanted to see if Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) had changed after being appointed governor. So he wrote a letter to him and, after asking about his well-being, invited him back to Medina.

As the time of Hudhayfah's (radiyallahu anh) arrival in Medina approached, Umar (radiyallahu anh) frequently ventured outside the city to watch for him. He wanted to see if Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) still retained the simplicity he had before.

Upon seeing Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) arrive alone in simple clothes, Umar (radiyallahu anh) felt deeply moved. Embracing him tightly, he said, "You are my brother! By Allah, you are my brother! You are my brother, and I am your brother!"

Ask Something From Allah!

Hudhayfah bin Yaman held a deep respect for Umar (radiyallahu anhuma). Umar often sought advice from Hudhayfah during his caliphate. One day, Umar (radiyallahu anh) said to those around him, "Ask something from Allah."

One of those present replied, "If only I had a house full of wealth to spend all of it for Allah's pleasure!" Umar asked again, "Ask something from Allah."

Another person said, "If only I had a house full of gold to spend all of it in the way of Allah." Umar asked again, "Ask something from Allah."

After similar responses were given, Umar declared aloud, "I would wish for this house to be filled with people like Hudhayfah, Abu Ubaydah bin Jarrah, and Muadh bin Jabal to employ them in the way of Allah."

Hudhayfah frequently spent time with Umar (radiyallahu anhuma) before his appointment as governor. After Umar (radiyallahu anh) was martyred, Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) deeply grieved and told those around him, "During Umar's time, the state of Islam was like a man facing us and constantly approaching. After his death, it resembled a man turning his back and continually moving away."

A Virtuous Spying

Hudhayfah (radiyallahu anh) narrates:

We were with Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) during the Battle of Khandaq. The weather was cold, and there was a raging wind. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) asked us, "Who will go and find out the situation of the enemy's army and return to me in exchange for becoming my neighbor in Paradise?"

Due to the intense cold, wind, and fear, we could not answer. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) repeated this question three times. Then he called me by my name and gave me this task. He said, "Go, see what the enemy army is doing. Observe without being noticed. Do not throw a spear or shoot an arrow until you come back to me and report."

As I departed, he said this prayer for me: "O Allah, protect him from the right, from the left, from the front, from the rear, from above, and from below."

After this prayer, I felt all my fear whittle away to nothing. I felt as if I were in warm water, not feeling the cold, and easily infiltrated the enemy's ranks.

At this point, Abu Sufyan gathered the polytheists in one place, saying, "I suspect there are spies among us. Everyone should hold the hand of the person next to them and ask their name. Then I will tell you something."

Before the person next to me had a chance to ask my name, I quickly grabbed his hand and inquired about his name as if I was interrogating him. This act removed any suspicion from me. Abu Sufyan then continued, "O Quraysh! By Allah, the place where you have pitched your tents is not beneficial for you. Look, horses and camels are starting to die. Famine has spread everywhere. The Jews of Qurayza have also started acting against us. This storm has ruined us. We have neither fire nor pots left. Get up and leave this place! I am leaving now!"

Then he left the army. By Allah, if the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had not forbidden me from shooting, I could have killed Abu Sufyan. When the polytheists began to disperse, I returned to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). He was praying salah. While waiting for him to finish, I dozed off. He woke me up saying, "Wake up, sleeper!" I narrated to him everything I had observed.