Hudhayfa b. al-Yaman: Difference between revisions

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Abu ‘Abd Allah Hudayfa b. Yaman b. Hisl or Husayl was from the ‘Abs tribe in [[Yemen]]. Yaman, his father, went to [[Medina]] before the emergence of Islam and allied with the household of ‘Abd al-Ashhal, from the [[Aws]] clan, and married Rubab, Ka’b’s daughter. He had three other sons from Rubab: Sa’d, Safwan, and Mudlaj and three daughters called Layli, Salama, and Fatima.

Hudhayfa was one of the first people who converted to Islam. He migrated to Medina after the Prophet (s). He was one of the [[Muhajirun]], on the one hand, and, on the other, since he was allied to a clan in Medina, he was considered as one of the [[Ansar]] as well. The Prophet (s) gave Hudhayfa the option to count himself in either of the two groups, and he chose to be known as one of the Ansar. The Prophet (s) confirmed his choice and made a [[pact of brotherhood]] between him and ‘Ammar, from the Muhajirun.

In the [[Battle of Khandaq]], Hudhayfa was asked by the Prophet (s) to obtain information about the enemy’s camp, and he successfully did so. He also attended other battles of the Prophet (s).

He was trusted by the Prophet (s). The Prophet (s) let him know about many future events and seditions, the true character of some people and hypocrites. In particular, when the Prophet (s) was returning from [[Tabuk]], he told Hudhayfa the names of all the hypocrites. This is why biographers called him the Prophet (s)’s “Sahib al-Sirr” (Confidant).

The Prophet (s) said about Hudhayfa and Imam ‘Ali (a) that “they know the hypocrites better than all other people”.

Many hadiths have been narrated by Hudhayfa. He was known as being pious, ascetic, and avoiding to accumulate wealth.

[[‘Umar b. Khattab]] appointed Hudhayfa as the commander of the Battle of Nahawand. When [[Nu’man b. Muqrin]] was killed, he undertook the commandership of the army and conquered [[Nahawand]]. He then conquered other cities in [[Iran]].  

He was also appointed as the ruler of [[Mada’in]] in the period of ‘Umar.

In the period of [[‘Uthman]], Hudhayfa attended the funeral of [[Abu Dhar]]. He also informed ‘Uthman about different versions of the [[Quran]] and suggested that a unified version of the Quran be compiled.

==Hudhayfa in the period of Imam ‘Ali (a)==

He is considered as one of the four main companions of [[Imam ‘Ali (a)]]. Kashshi cited a hadith in which Hudhayfa is considered one of the seven people because of whom God bestows His blessings and bounties to people. These seven people attended the funeral of [[Fatima al-Zahra (s)]].

When Imam ‘Ali (a) arrived in the area of Dhuqar on his way to the [[Battle of Jamal]], Hudhayfa told his companions: “accompany [[Amir al-Mu’minin (a)]] and the successor of the Prophet (s). The right thing is to assist him”.

He narrated hadiths regarding the place and virtues of Imam ‘Ali (a) and [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]].  

Hudhayfa also narrated a hadith from the Prophet (s) according to which there will be twelve Imams after him.

Mas’udi reported that Hudhayfa’s two sons, Safwan and Sa’d, accompanied Imam ‘Ali (a) in the [[Battle of Siffin]] and that they were martyred there. But according to Tabari, Sa’d was alive during the rise of [[Tawwabin]]: [[Sulayman b. Surad]] asked for his help and he offered his help in reply.

Hudhayfa died in 36 or 37 A.H. (656 or 657) in Mada’in. Hudhayfa’s grandchildren were in Mada’in until the third century A.H. (9th century).