Abu Hurayra

The Name and Title of Abu Hurayra

Abu Hurayra was from the Daws tribe of Yemen. It is said that his name was originally Abd Amr or Abd Ghani, and during the pre-Islamic era, his name was Abd Shams, with his title being Abu al-Asad. When he embraced Islam, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, he was named Abu Hurayra.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, changed his name from Abd Shams to Abdur-Rahman, so his full name became Abdur-Rahman ibn Sakhr al-Dawsi al-Yamani. He was nicknamed Abu Hurayra because he found a kitten, placed it in his sleeve, and played with it. It is also said that he had a kitten when he was young and used to tend to his family's sheep and play with it, so the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave him this nickname.

He belonged to the Daws tribe, a branch of the larger tribe of Azd, which is one of the noblest and most ancient Arab tribes. His mother was Maimuna bint Sakhr, although some say her name was Ummayma. He was an intermediary among his people, the Daws, witnessed the Battle of Yarmouk, and went to Damascus during the caliphate of Muawiya, may Allah be pleased with him. He was one of the companions who preserved the Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, with great accuracy and reliability. It has been mentioned that there were about twenty different opinions regarding his name.

There were also differences regarding his title, similar to the differences regarding his name. According to Sahih al-Bukhari, the reason for his title is that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, once said to him, "O Abu Hur" in the noble hadith: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, met me while I was in a state of impurity. He took my hand and walked with me until he sat down. I slipped away, came back after washing, and he was still sitting. He said, 'Where were you, O Abu Hur?' I told him, and he said, 'Glory be to Allah, O Abu Hur, the believer does not become impure'".

It is also said that his title of Abu Hurayra dates back to the pre-Islamic era; they say that carrying the kitten was for amusement in pre-Islamic times and, in Islam, it was for compassion and mercy, in accordance with the Sharia, which encourages kindness to animals.

The Conversion to Islam of Abu Hurayra

Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, embraced Islam in the seventh year of Hijra during the nights of the Battle of Khaybar. He came from Yemen to Madinah, having converted to Islam at the hands of al-Tufayl ibn Amr in Yemen. He prayed Fajr behind Siba' ibn 'Urfuta, who was appointed by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to lead Madinah during the Battle of Khaybar.

Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, closely accompanied the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, for four years, spending both day and night with him, traveling with him on his journeys and in his battles until the end of the Prophet's life. He loved the Prophet intensely.

Little is known about his life before his conversion to Islam other than what he himself narrated. Like many of his peers in the desert, he tended his family's sheep. When his father passed away, Abu Hurayra was still young, growing up an orphan and experiencing a difficult upbringing.

His conversion took place between the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and the Battle of Khaybar, and he witnessed its conquest. He had a house in Dhu'l-Hulayfah, which he donated to his freed slaves.

Abu Hurayra's Moral and Physical Attributes

Moral Attributes: Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, was known for numerous virtues, which are detailed below:

• Piety and Commitment: He was devout and committed to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah; peace and blessings be upon him. He encouraged good deeds and forbade wrongdoing, respecting the dignity of every person regardless of race, lineage, or wealth.
• Worship and Devotion: Abu Hurayra engaged extensively in worship, fasting, and praying at night. He feared Allah both in public and private and was patient despite experiencing severe poverty.
• Practical Advice: He advised people and practiced what he preached. His adherence to the Sunnah was so strong that when his daughter complained about being taunted for not wearing gold, he would say, "My dear, tell them, 'My father fears for me the heat of the flame'".
• Remembrance of Allah: He was frequently engaged in the remembrance of Allah, was gentle and lenient, and eager to gain knowledge.
• Endurance of Poverty: Abu Hurayra experienced extreme poverty, sometimes fainting from hunger. He lived with the people of al-Suffa, the poorest Muslims who had no shelter and were guests of the Muslims.

Physical Attributes:

• Stature: Abu Hurayra was broad-shouldered, had a noticeable gap between his front teeth, and had two braids in his hair.
• Complexion and Beard: He had a fair complexion and a red beard. He used to dye his beard and hair with henna.
• Demeanor: He was gentle and lenient by nature.

These attributes highlight the character and appearance of Abu Hurayra, reflecting his deep commitment to Islam, his enduring spirit despite hardships, and his physical presence.

The Scholarly Life of Abu Hurayra

Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, closely accompanied by the Prophet, and peace and blessings be upon him for four years. During this period, he memorized numerous hadiths, deepened his understanding of Islamic jurisprudence, and learned what is obligatory and what is not. The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, sent him to Bahrain, where he served as a muezzin and a jurist.

Dedication to Knowledge:

• Keen Learner: Abu Hurayra was deeply committed to seeking knowledge and understanding the religion. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was always willing to answer his questions, recognizing his dedication and precision in seeking knowledge.
• Presence in Learning Circles: He never missed gatherings of remembrance and was constantly present in the mosque. Despite the relatively short period he spent with the Prophet, peace and blessings were upon him; he learned extensively from the Sunnah and was diligent in practicing it.
• Memorization and Companionship: Abu Hurayra was the most prolific memorizer of the sayings of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, among the companions, and stayed with him continuously, accompanying him wherever he went.

This highlights Abu Hurayra's exceptional dedication to learning and his pivotal role in preserving the teachings of the Prophet; peace and blessings be upon him. His efforts have greatly contributed to the transmission of Islamic knowledge.

The Death of Abu Hurayra

Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, passed away in the year 57 AH. During his final illness, he wept and said, "I am not weeping for this world of yours but for the length of my journey and the scarcity of provisions. I have ascended to a height, descending upon either Paradise or Hellfire, and I do not know to which of them I will be taken". This statement reflects his detachment from the worldly life.

It is narrated that Marwan ibn al-Hakam visited him during his illness and prayed for his recovery. Abu Hurayra responded, "O Allah, I love to meet You, so love to meet me". He died in the same year as Lady Aisha; may Allah be pleased with her. Some sources also suggest he passed away in the year 58 AH, while others claim it was in 59 AH.