Abu Hurairah

Abū Hurayrah
Arabic: أبو هريرة الدوسي الزهراني‎‎

Abū Hurayrah ad-Dawsī Alzahrani (Arabic: أبو هريرة الدوسي الزهراني‎‎‎; 603–681), often spelled Abu Hurairah, was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and according to the Sunnis, the most prolific narrator of hadith. He was known by the kunyah Abu Hurairah ("Father of the Kitten"), but his real name is differed upon, the most popular opinion being that it was ‘Abd ar-Raḥmān ibn Ṣakhr (عبد الرحمن بن صخر). Abu Hurairah spent 4 years in the company of Muhammad[1] and went on expeditions and journeys with him.[2] It is estimated that he narrated around 5,374 ahadiths.[3]

Early life

Abu Hurairah was born in Banu Daws tribe from the region of Tihamah on the coast of the Red Sea. His father had died, leaving him with only his mother and no other relatives. His name at birth was Abd al-Shams ("Servant of the Sun").

Life as a Muslim

Abu Hurairah embraced Islam through Tufayl ibn Amr the chieftain of his tribe. Tufayl had returned to his village after meeting Muhammad and become a Muslim in the early years of his mission. Abu Hurairah was one of the first to respond to his call, unlike the majority of Tufayl's tribesmen, who embraced Islam later. Abu Hurairah accompanied Tufayl to Mecca to meet Muhammad who renamed him Abd al-Rahman (servant of the Merciful, one of the 99 Names of God). Abu Hurairah then returned to his tribe for many years.

Military campaigns during Muhammad's era

He was present during the Expedition of Dhat al-Riqa. Some scholars claim, the expedition took place in Nejd (a large area of tableland in the Arabian Peninsula) in Rabi‘ Ath-Thani or Jumada Al-Ula, 4 A.H (or beginning of 5AH). They substantiate their claim by saying that it was strategically necessary to carry out this campaign in order to quell the rebellious bedouins in order to meet the exigencies of the agree d upon encounter with the poliuygytheists, i.e. minor Badr Battle in Sha‘ban, 4 A.H. Muhammed received the news that certain tribes of Banu Ghatafan were assembling at Dhat al-Riqa with suspicious purposes.

Muhammad proceeded towards Nejd at the head of 400 or 700 men, after he had mandated Abu Dhar - in the Umayyad version, the Umayyad chief who killed Abu Dhar is given this honor: Uthman bin Affan - to dispose the affairs of Madinah during his absence. The Muslim fighters penetrated deep into their land until they reached a spot called Nakhlah where they came across some bedouins of Ghatfan.[4][5]

The opinion according to Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri, however, is that Dhat Ar-Riqa‘ campaign took place after the fall of Khaibar (and not as part of the Invasion of Nejd). This is supported by the fact that Abu Hurairah and Abu Musa Ashaari witnessed the battle. Abu Hurairah embraced Islam only some days before Khaibar, and Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ari came back from Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and joined Muhammad at Khaibar. The rules relating to the prayer of fear which Muhammad observed at Dhat Ar-Riqa‘ campaign, were revealed at the Asfan Invasion and this scholars say, took place after Al-Khandaq (the Battle of the Trench).[5]

Death and legacy

Following the passing of Muhammad, Abu Hurairah spent the rest of his life teaching ahadith in Al-Medinah, except for a short period as governor of Bahrain during the reign of Caliph ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab, and when he was the governor of Al-Medinah during the rule of the early Umayyad caliphs. Abu Hurairah died in 681 or 59 AH at the age of 78 and was buried at Al-Baqi'.[6]

Sunni view

Sunni Muslims, who make up more than 85 percent of the Muslims of the world, view Abu Hurairah as one of the major narrators of Hadith, and like other companions, that he was trustworthy. They also believe that he was blessed with an unfailing memory, especially for ahadith, as a miracle bestowed upon him by God after Muhammad prayed for him. They also depict him as a man living an ascetic and humble life, cherishing knowledge and worship. Like they would quote, in his own words:

"I was a poor man, and used to stick to Allah's Apostle contented with what will fill my stomach, and the Muhajirin (emigrants) used to be busy trading in the markets, and the Ansar used to be busy looking after their properties. One day I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'Who will spread his Rida' (a garment covering the upper body) till I finished my speech and then fold it, (i.e. wear it), in which case he will never forget anything he had heard from me?" So I spread my garment which I was wearing; and by Him Who sent Muhammad with the Truth, ever since, I have never forgotten whatever I heard from him (the Prophet)."

Alleged friendship with Muhammad

It is believed that Abu Hurairah loved the prophet a great deal and found favor with him. He was never tired of looking at the Prophet whose face appeared to him as having all the radiance of the sun and he was never tired of listening to him. Often he would praise God for his good fortune and say: "Praise be to God Who has guided Abu Hurairah to Islam. Praise be to God Who has taught Abu Hurairah the Quran. Praise be to God who has bestowed on Abu Hurairah the companionship of Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace."

"On reaching Madinah, Abu Hurairah set his heart on attaining knowledge. Zayd ibn Thabit, the notable companion of the Prophet reported: 'While Abu Hurairah and I and another friend of mine were in the Masjid praying to God Almighty and performing dhikr to Him, the Messenger of God appeared. He came towards us and sat among us. We became silent and he said: "Carry on with what you were doing.'"

"So my friend and I made a supplication to God before Abu Hurairah did and the Prophet began to say Ameen to our dua."

"Then Abu Hurairah made a supplication saying: 'O Lord, I ask You for what my two companions have asked and I ask You for knowledge which will not be forgotten.'"

"The Prophet, peace be on him, said: 'Ameen.' "We then said: 'And we ask Allah for knowledge which will not be forgotten, and the Prophet replied: 'The Dawsi youth has asked for this before you.' With his formidable memory, Abu Hurairah set out to memorize in the four years that he spent with the Prophet, the gems of wisdom that emanated from his lips. He realized that he had a great gift and he set about to use it to the full in the service of Islam."

He had free time at his disposal. Unlike many of the Muhajirin he did not busy himself in the market-places, with buying and selling. Unlike many of the Ansar, he had no land to cultivate nor crops to tend. He stayed with the Prophet in Madinah and went with him on journeys and expeditions.

I said to Allah's Apostle "I hear many narrations (Hadiths) from you but I forget them." Allah's Apostle said, "Spread your Rida' (garment)." I did accordingly and then he moved his hands as if filling them with something (and emptied them in my Rida') and then said, "Take and wrap this sheet over your body." I did it and after that I never forgot any thing. (Sahih Bukhari 1.119, Sahih Bukhari 1.120)

Shi‘ite view

Shi‘ite view Abu Hurairah's hadith as unauthentic. Shia seldom accept hadith narrated by Sahabah that opposed Ali after the death of Muhammad, unless there is a substantial similarity to one narrated by the family of Muhammad (who are considered reliable). According to the Shia, Abu Hurairah reportedly accepted Islam a few years before Muhammad's death, during the event of Khaybar. The Shi‘ah portray him as an enemy of Imams ‘Ali, Al-Hasan and Al-Husain, due to having been in favour of Mu‘awiyah.

Jewish view

According to the Jewish sources, Abu Hurairah was one of the close disciples of Ka'ab al-Ahbar.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sahih Bukhari Volume 001, Book 003, Hadith Number 118
  2. ↑ El-Esabah Fi Tamyyz El Sahabah. P.7 p. 436.
  3. ↑ Shorter Urdu Encyclopedia of Islam, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 1997, pg. 65.
  4. ↑ Muir, William (1861), The life of Mahomet, Smith, Elder & Co, p. 224
  5. 1 2 Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, Saifur (2005), The Sealed Nectar, Darussalam Publications, p. 240
  6. ↑ Abgad Elulm, pp.2, 179.
  7. ↑ http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/9105-ka-b-al-ahbar

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