The Companion Khabbab ibn al-Aratt

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (may Allah be pleased with him) was a noble companion from the tribe of Banu Tamim. He was captured during the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) and sold in Makkah. When he heard the great news (of Islam), he was among the earliest to embrace it, being one of the first six converts, to the extent that he was referred to as “one-sixth of Islam”.

He endured severe forms of torture for the sake of Allah but remained steadfast in his faith and never turned away from his religion. He truly exemplified the sincere believer whose hardships only strengthened his faith and submission.

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt Lineage and Early Life

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (RA) was the son of Jundala ibn Sa’d ibn Khuzaymah ibn Ka’b ibn Sa’d ibn Zayd Manat, from the Tamim tribe. He was known by the kunya Abu Yahya al-Tamimi, although some reports say it was Abu Abdillah. It is said that he was captured in the time of ignorance and taken to Makkah, where Umm Anmar al-Khuza’iyyah bought him while he was still a boy, not yet of age. She made him work in sword-making until he became a skilled swordsmith.

He heard strange and wondrous words, the news of Muhammad’s ﷺ message, and he was among the earliest to believe. He was one of the six people who accepted Islam early on, earning him the title of “one-sixth of Islam”. Khabbab (RA) participated in the Battle of Badr and all other major events alongside the Prophet ﷺ.

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt Traits and Endurance

Khabbab was courageous, proud, and patient. He was harmed for the sake of Allah but did not weaken or surrender. He never hid his faith even though he had no tribe to protect him, no wealth to support him, and no tribal affiliations to shield him. The Quraysh tortured him severely, heating chains to bind his hands and feet, and extinguishing burning coals on his skin. Their only grievance against him was his faith in Allah, his rejection of ignorant paganism, and his pursuit of the light and openness of Islam.

Khabbab once recounted going with other tortured believers to the Prophet ﷺ, who was resting in the shade of the Kaaba with his cloak under his head. They said: “Will you not ask Allah for help for us? Will you not pray for us?” The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“Those before you were taken, and a ditch was dug for them. They were placed in it, and a saw was brought to cut them in half. Iron combs were used to scrape flesh from bone, and yet that would not deter them from their religion. By Allah, this matter will be completed until a traveler will go from Sana’a to Hadramawt fearing none but Allah, and the wolf for his sheep, but you are being hasty”.

These words strengthened the faith and patience of the companions even more.

The Torture He Endured

During his caliphate, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) once asked Khabbab about what he suffered from the polytheists. Khabbab replied: “O Commander of the Faithful, look at my back”. Umar then said, “I’ve never seen anything like this”. Khabbab said, “They lit a fire for me and only the fat from my back extinguished it”.

Al-Thawri narrated from Abu Ishaq that Abu Layla al-Kindi said: Umar told Khabbab to come near, saying: “No one deserves this seat more than you, except Ammar”. Khabbab then showed him the marks left on his back by Quraysh's torture.

Key Moments in Khabbab ibn al-Aratt Life

Khabbab migrated with the early Muslims to Madinah, where the Prophet ﷺ paired him in brotherhood with Tamim, the freedman of Kharash ibn al-Sammah (some say Jabir ibn Atik).

Khabbab said: “We migrated with the Prophet ﷺ seeking the face of Allah, and our reward is with Him. Some of us died without seeing any of that reward, like Mus’ab ibn Umair, who was martyred at Uhud. He left nothing but a cloak: when we covered his head, his feet were exposed; when we covered his feet, his head was exposed. The Prophet ﷺ told us to cover his head and place some izkhir (a type of grass) over his feet. Others among us lived to see the fruits of our struggle”.

Khabbab also had a story with al-As ibn Wa’il, to whom he had sold something on credit. When Khabbab came to collect his payment, al-As said, “I will not pay you until you disbelieve in Muhammad”. Khabbab replied, “I will never disbelieve in him, even if you die and are resurrected”. Al-As replied, “Will I be resurrected after death? If so, I will pay you when I return with my wealth and children”. Then the following verse was revealed:

“Have you seen the one who disbelieved in Our signs and said: I will surely be given wealth and children?” (Surah Maryam: 77)

His Illness and Death

Later in life, Khabbab was struck with a severe illness. Qays ibn Abi Hazim visited him and found that he had been cauterized seven times on his stomach. Khabbab said: “Were it not that the Prophet ﷺ forbade us from wishing for death, I would have asked Allah for it”. He passed away in Kufa in the year 37 AH (about 73 years old) and was buried there.

Some reports claim he died during the caliphate of Umar and that Umar prayed over him, but al-Dhahabi rejected this, stating Khabbab died in Kufa and that Ali ibn Abi Tablib (RA) led his funeral prayer.

Hadith Narrations

Khabbab (RA) narrated 32 hadiths (including repetitions). Among those who narrated from him are: Masruq, Abu Wa’il, Abu Mu’ammar, Qays ibn Abi Hazim, Alqama ibn Qays, and others.

Lessons and Takeaways

• Steadfastness in principle and patience in trials: Despite brutal torture, Khabbab did not abandon his faith or compromise his beliefs.
• Rushing to goodness and being among the first: He was among the earliest Muslims and a pioneer in supporting the Prophet ﷺ.
• True sacrifice: He left everything behind, migrating for the sake of Allah and to support His religion.