Source:
- Companions of the Prophet by Abdul Wahid Hamid
- Ashab Rasool-Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)
“If you wish you may consider yourself among the Muhaajireen or, if you wish, you may consider yourself one of the Ansaar. Choose whichever is dearer to you.“
With these words, the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) addressed Hudhaifah ibn al-Yamaan (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) when he met him for the first time in Makkah. How did Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) come to have this choice?
His father, al-Yamaan (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was a Makkan from the tribe of Abs. He had killed someone and had been forced to leave Makkah. He then settled down in Yathrib (Madinah), becoming an ally (haleef) of the Banu al-Ash-hal and married into the tribe. A son named Hudhaifah was born to him. Eventually, restrictions on his returning to Makkah were lifted and he divided his time between Makkah and Yathrib but stayed more in Yathrib and was more attached to it.
This was how Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) had a Makkan origin but a Yathribite upbringing.
His Journey to the Real Faith
When the rays of Islam began to radiate over the Arabian peninsula, a delegation from the Abs tribe, which included al-Yamaan, went to the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and announced their acceptance of Islam. That was before the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) migrated to Yathrib.
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) grew up in a Muslim household and was taught by both his mother and father who were among the first persons from Yathrib to enter the religion of Allaah. He therefore became a Muslim before meeting the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) longed to meet the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam); from an early age, he was keen on following whatever news there was about him. The more he heard, the more his affection for the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)grew and the more he longed to meet him.
He eventually journeyed to Makkah, met the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and put the question to him,
“Am I a Muhaajir or am I an Ansaari, O Rasulullaah?”
“If you wish you may consider yourself among the Muhaajireen, or if you wish you may consider yourself one of the Ansaar. Choose whichever is dearer to you,“ replied the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
“Well, I am an Ansaari. O Rasulullaah,” decided Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu).
At Madinah, after the Hijrah, Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) became closely attached to the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
The Reason Behind His Absence in the Battle of Badr
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) participated in all the military engagements except Badr. Explaining why he missed the Battle of Badr, he said:
“I would not have missed Badr if my father and I had not been outside Madinah. The disbelieving Quraish met us and asked where we were going. We told them we were going to Madinah and they asked if we intended to meet Muhammad (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). We insisted that we only wanted to go to Madinah. They took from us a covenant in the Name of Allaah that we would turn back to Madinah and would not fight on the side of Muhammad (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). So, we came to the Messenger of Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and related the incident to him. He (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Both of you leave, we will fulfill the covenant made with them and seek Allaah’s help against them.’ [Muslim]
His participation in the Battle of Uhud
Both Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) and his father participated in the Battle of Uhud. The pressure on Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) during the battle was great but he equipped himself well and emerged safe and sound. A rather different fate, however, awaited his father.
Before the battle, the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) left al-Yamaan (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), (Hudhaifah’s father) and Thaabit ibn Waqsh (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) with the other non-combatants including women and children. This was because they were both quite old. As the fighting grew fiercer, al-Yamaan (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said to his friend:
“You have no father (meaning you have no dependents). What are we waiting for? We both have only a short time to live. Why don’t we take our swords and join the Messenger of Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) ? Maybe Allaah will bless us with martyrdom beside His Prophet.”
They quickly prepared for battle and were soon in the thick of fighting. Thaabit ibn Waqsh (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was blessed with Shahadah at the hands of the Mushrikeen. The father of Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) however, was set upon by some Muslims who did not recognize who he was. As they flayed (lashed) him, Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) cried out:
“My father! My father! It’s my father!”
No one heard him. The old man fell, killed in error by the swords of his own brothers in faith. They were filled with pain and remorse. Grieved as he was, Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said to them:
“May Allaah forgive you for He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”
The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) wanted Diyah (compensation) to be paid to Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) for the death of his father but Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said:
“He was simply seeking Shahadah and he attained it. O Lord, bear witness that I donate the compensation for him to the Muslims.”
Because of this attitude, Hudhaifah’s (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) stature grew in the eyes of the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). [Ibn Hajar in al-Fat-h]
His Qualities
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) had three qualities which particularly impressed the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): his unique intelligence which he employed in dealing with difficult situations; his quick wittedness and spontaneous response to the call of action; and his ability to keep a secret even under persistent questioning.
A noticeable policy of the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was to bring out and use the special qualities and strengths of each of his individual Companions. In deploying his Companions, he was careful to choose the right man for the right task. This he did to excellent advantage in the case of Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu).
His Knowledge about the Hypocrites
One of the gravest problems the Muslims of Madinah had to face was the existence in their midst of hypocrites (Munaafiqun), particularly from among the Jews and their allies. Although many of them had declared their acceptance of Islam, the change was only superficial and they continued to plot and intrigue against the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and the Muslims.
Because of Hudhaifah’s (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) ability to keep a secret, the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) confided in him the names of the Munaafiqun. It was a weighty secret which the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did not disclose to any other of his Companions. He gave Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) the task of watching the movements of the Munaafiqun, following their activities, and shielding the Muslims from the sinister danger they represented. It was a tremendous responsibility. Since the Munaafiqun acted in secrecy and because they knew all the developments and plans of the Muslims from within, they presented a greater threat to the community than the outright hostility of the Kuffar (disbelievers).
From this time onwards, Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was called “The Keeper of the Secrets of the Messenger of Allaah.”
Abu ad-Dardaa’ (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “A boy sat beside me in a mosque at Shaam and he said, ‘O Allaah! Bless me with a righteous pious companion.’ Abu ad-Dardaa’ (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) asked, ‘From where are you?’ He replied, ‘From the people of Al-Kufa.’ Abu ad-Dardaa’ (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said: ‘Is there amongst you the one who keeps the secrets of the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) which nobody knows except him?’ i.e. Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu). He said, ‘Yes.’ [Al-Bukhaari]
Throughout his life, Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) remained faithful to his pledge not to disclose the names of the hypocrites. After the death of the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), the Khalifah often came to him to seek his advice concerning their movements and activities but he remained tight-lipped and cautious.
‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was only able to find out indirectly who the hypocrites were. If anyone among the Muslims died, ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) would ask: “Has Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) attended his funeral prayer?”
If the reply was ‘yes’, he would perform the prayer. If the reply was ‘no’, he became doubtful about the person and refrained from performing the funeral prayer for him.
Once ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) asked Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu): “Is any of my governors a Munaafiq?”
“One,” replied Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu).
“Point him out to me,” ordered ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu). “That I shall not do,” insisted Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), who later said that shortly after their conversation ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) dismissed the person just as if he had been guided to him.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was asked about Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu). He said, “He was most knowledgeable among people about the hypocrites.”
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) devoted himself to studying about the evil and evil-doers, the hypocrisy and hypocrites in order to warn the Ummah (nation) against them and their evil.
Abu Yahya said, “A man asked Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) while I was with him, ‘What is the Nifaq (hypocrisy)?’ Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said, ‘To speak of Islam and not act upon it.'” [Siyar A’laam an-Nubala’]
The Battle of the Trench and his Companionship with the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in Paradise
Hudhaifah’s (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) special qualities were made use of by the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) at various times. One of the most testing of such occasions, which required the use of Hudhaifah’s (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) intelligence and his presence of mind, was during the Battle of the Trench. On that occasion, the Muslims were surrounded by enemies. The siege they had been placed under had dragged on. The Muslims were undergoing severe hardship and difficulties. They had practically expended all their efforts and were utterly exhausted. So intense was the strain on them, that some even began to despair.
The Quraish and their allies, meanwhile, were not much better off. Their strength and determination had been sapped. A violent wind had overturned their tents, extinguished their fires and pelted their faces and eyes with gusts of sand and dust.
In such decisive moments in the history of warfare, the side that loses is the one that despairs first and the one that wins is the one that holds out longer. The role of army intelligence in such situations often proves to be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of the battle.
At this stage of the confrontation, the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) felt he could use the special talents and experience of Hudhaifah ibn al-Yamaan (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu). He decided to send Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) into the midst of the enemy’s position under cover of darkness to bring him the latest information on their situation and morale before he decided on his next move.
Let us now leave Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) to relate what happened on this mission fraught with danger and even death:
“That night, we were all seated in rows. Abu Sufyaan and his men – the Mushrikun of Makkah – were in front of us. The Jewish tribe of Banu Quraydhah were at our rear and we were afraid of them because of our wives and children. The night was stygian (pitch black) dark. Never before was there a darker night nor a wind so strong. So dark was the night that no one could see his fingers and the blast of the wind was like the peel of thunder.
The hypocrites began to ask the Prophet for permission to leave, saying, ‘Our houses are exposed to the enemy.’ Anyone who asked the Prophet’s permission to leave was allowed to go, thus many sneaked away until we were left with about three hundred men. The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) turned towards us and said: ‘Which man will go and see what the people, (i.e. the disbelievers of Quraish) intend to do and then come back? I asked Allaah (Subahanaahu wa Ta’aala) to make him my Companion in Paradise.’ None got up because of fear, hunger and cold.
The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) then began a round of inspection passing us one by one until he reached me. I had nothing to protect myself from the cold except a blanket belonging to my wife which scarcely reached my knees. He came nearer to me as I lay crouching on the ground and asked:
‘Who is this?’
‘Hudhaifah,’ I replied.
‘Hudhaifah?’ he (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) queried as I huddled myself closer to the ground, too afraid to stand up because of the intense hunger and cold.
‘Yes, O Messenger of Allaah,’ I replied.
‘Something is happening among the people (meaning the forces of Abu Sufyaan). Infiltrate their encampment and bring me news of what’s happening,’ instructed the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
I set out. At that moment I was the most terrified person of all and felt terribly cold. The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) prayed:
‘O Lord, protect him from in front and from behind, from his right and from his left, from above and from below.’
By Allaah, no sooner had the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) completed his supplication than Allaah removed from my stomach all traces of fear and from my body all the punishing cold. As I turned to go, the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) called me back to him and said:
‘Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), on no account do anything among the people (of the opposing forces) until you come back to me.’
‘Yes,’ I replied.
I went on, inching my way under cover of darkness until I penetrated deep into the Mushrikin’s camp and became just like one of them. Shortly afterwards, Abu Sufyaan got up and began to address his men:
‘O people of the Quraish, I am about to make a statement to you which I fear would reach Muhammad. Therefore, let every man among you look and make sure who is sitting next to him…’
On hearing this, I immediately grasped the hand of the man next to me and asked, ‘Who are you?’ (thus putting him on the defensive and clearing myself). Abu Sufyaan went on:
‘O people of the Quraish, by Allaah, you are not in a safe and secure place. Our horses and camels have perished. The Banu Quraydhah have deserted us and we have had unpleasant news about them. We are buffered by this bitterly cold wind. Our fires do not light and our uprooted tents offer no protection. So get moving. As for myself, I am leaving.’
He went to his camel, un-tethered and mounted it. He struck it and it stood upright. If the Messenger of Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) had not instructed me to do anything until I returned to him, I would have killed Abu Sufyaan with an arrow right then and there. I returned to the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and found him standing on a blanket performing Salat. When he recognized me, he drew me close to his legs and threw one end of the blanket over me. I informed him of what had happened. He was extremely happy and joyful and gave thanks and praise to Allaah.” [Ibn Ishaq, al-Haakim, al-Bazzar]
His Wisdom and Eloquence
By this situation and the response to the command of the Messenger of Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) became one of those who won the Companionship of Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in Paradise.
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) lived in constant dread of evil and corrupting influences. He felt that goodness and the sources of good in this life were easy to recognize for those who desired good. But it was evil that was deceptive and often difficult to perceive and combat.
He became something of a great moral philosopher. He always warned people to struggle against evil with all their faculties, with their hearts, hands and tongues. Those who stood against evil only with their hearts and tongues, and not with their hands, he considered as having abandoned a part of truth. Those who hated evil only in their hearts but did not combat it with their tongues and hands forsook two parts of truth and those who neither detested nor confronted evil with their hearts, tongues or hands he considered as physically alive but morally dead.
Speaking about hearts and their relationship to guidance and error, he once said: “There are four kinds of hearts.
The heart that is encased or atrophied, that is the heart of the Kaafir or ungrateful disbeliever.
The heart that is shaped into thin layers, that is the heart of the Munaafiq or hypocrite.
The heart that is open and bare and on which shines a radiant light, that is the heart of the Mu’min or the believer.
Finally, there is the heart in which there is both hypocrisy and faith. Faith is like a tree which thrives with good water and hypocrisy is like an abscess which thrives on pus and blood. Whichever flourishes more, be it the tree of faith or the abscess of hypocrisy, wins control of the heart.”
Hudhaifah’s (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) experience with hypocrisy and his efforts to combat it gave a touch of sharpness and severity to his tongue. He realized this and admitted it with a noble courage:
“I went to the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, I have a tongue which is sharp and cutting against my family and I fear that this would lead me to Hell-fire.’ The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said to me: ‘Where do you stand with regard to Istighfaar – asking forgiveness from Allaah? I ask Allaah for forgiveness a hundred times during the day.'”
His Jihad in the Islamic Conquests
A man like Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), one devoted to thought, knowledge and reflection may not have been expected to perform feats of heroism in battlefields. Yet Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was to prove himself one of the foremost Muslim military commanders in the expansion of Islam into Iraq. He distinguished himself at Hamadaan, ar-Rayy, ad-Daynawar, and at the famous Battle of Nihaawand.
For the encounter at Nihaawand against the Persian forces, Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was placed second in command by ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) over the entire Muslim forces which numbered some thirty thousand. The Persian forces outnumbered them by five to one being some one hundred and fifty thousand strong. The first commander of the Muslim army, an-Nu’maan ibn Maqran, fell early in the battle. The second in command, Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), immediately took charge of the situation, giving instructions that the death of the commander should not be broadcast. Under Hudhaifah’s daring and inspiring leadership, the Muslims won a decisive victory despite tremendous odds.
His rulership over al-Madaa’in
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was made governor of important places like Kufa and Ctesiphon (al-Madaa’in). When the news of his appointment as governor of Ctesiphon reached its inhabitants, crowds went out to meet and greet this famous Companion of the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) of whose piety and righteousness they had heard so much about. His great role in the conquests of Persia was already a legend.
As the welcoming party waited, a lean, somewhat scrawny man with dangling feet astride a donkey approached. In his hand he held a loaf of bread and some salt and he ate as he went along. When the rider was already in their midst they realized that he was Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), the governor for whom they were waiting. They could not contain their surprise. What manner of man was this! They could however be excused for not recognizing him for they were used to the style, the pomp and the grandeur of Persian rulers.
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) carried on and people crowded around him. He saw they were expecting him to speak and he cast a searching look at their faces. Eventually, he said:
“Beware of places of Fitnah and intrigue.”
“And what,” they asked, “are places of intrigue?”
He replied: “The doors of rulers where some people go and try to make the ruler or governor believe lies and praise him for (qualities) he does not possess.”
With these words, the people were prepared for what to expect from their new governor. They knew at once that there was nothing in the world that he despised more than hypocrisy.
His Knowledge about the Fitnah (Trial and Affliction)
Hudhaifah ibn al-Yamaan (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “The people used to ask Allaah’s Messenger (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) about good, but I used to ask him about evil for fear that it might overtake me. Once I said, ‘O Allaah’s Messenger! We were in ignorance and evil and Allaah has bestowed upon us the present good; will there be any evil after this good?’ He (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Yes.’ I asked, ‘Will there be good after that evil?’ He (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Yes, but it would be tainted with Dakhan (i.e. little evil).’ I asked, ‘What will its Dakhan be?’ He said, ‘There will be some people who will lead (people) according to principles other than my Sunnah (legal ways). You will see their actions and disapprove of them.’ I said, ‘Will there be any evil after that good?’ He said, ‘Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the gates of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (with them).‘ I said, ‘O Allaah’s Messenger! Describe those people to us.’ He said, ‘They will belong to us as they speak our language.’ I asked, ‘O Allaah’s Messenger! What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my life?’ He said, ‘Adhere to the group of Muslims and their chief (Imam).’ I asked, ‘If there is neither a group (of Muslims) nor a chief (Imam) (what shall I do)?’ He (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)said, ‘Keep away from all those different sects, even if you have to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet Allaah while you are still in that state.‘ [Al-Bukhaari-The Book of the Stories of the Prophets]
He (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also said, “By Allaah! I am the most knowledgeable among the people about every Fitnah (calamity, trial) that is going to happen from now till the (establishment) of the Hour.” [Muslim]
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) reported: “The Messenger of Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) once delivered a speech in front of us wherein he left nothing but mentioned (about) everything that would happen until the Hour. Some of us retained that in our minds and some forgot it. (After that speech) I used to see events taking place (which had been referred to in that speech) but I had forgotten them (before their occurrence). Then I would recognize such events as a man recognizes another man who has been absent and then when he sees him, he recognizes him.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
He was the Reason Behind Joining the Muslims on One Mus-haf
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) noticed the separation and the differences that started to appear among the Muslims (regarding the Qur’an), when he was fighting the people of Iraq in Arminia and Adharbijan, during the Caliphate of ‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu). When he returned to Madinah, he suggested to ‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) his point of view (to gather all Muslims upon one Mus-haf).
Upon that, ‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) hastened towards gathering the Sahabah (Companions) and decided to write the Qur’an (in one Mus-haf) and send many copies to the other countries. In this way all the people were gathered upon one Mus-haf, and ‘Uthman cut off the Fitnah and protected the Qur’an from ever being altered.
Anas ibn Malik (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “Hudhaifah ibn al-Yamaan (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) came to ‘Uthman at the time when the people of Shaam and the people of Iraq were waging war to conquer Arminiya and Adharbijan. Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was afraid of their (the people of Shaam and Iraq) differences in the recitation of the Qur’an, so he said to ‘Uthman, ‘O chief of the Believers! Save this nation before they differ about the Book (Qur’an) as the Jews and the Christians did before.’ So ‘Uthman sent a message to Hafsa (Radia Allaahu ‘anha)saying, ‘Send us the manuscript of the Qur’an so that we may compile the Qur’anic materials in perfect copies and return the manuscript to you. Hafsah (Radia Allaahu ‘anha)sent it to ‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu).
‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) then ordered Zaid ibn Thabit (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), ‘Abdullaah ibn az-Zubair (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), Sa’id ibn al-Aas (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) and ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn Harith ibn Hisham (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) to rewrite the manuscript in perfect copies. ‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said to the three Quraishi men, ‘In case you disagree with Zaid ibn Thabit (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) on any point in the Qur’an, then write it in the dialect of Quraish, the Qur’an was revealed in their tongue.’ They did so, and when they had written many copies, ‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) returned the original manuscript to Hafsa (Radia Allaahu ‘anha). He sent to every Muslim province one copy of what they had copied, and ordered that all the other Qur’anic materials, whether written in fragmentary manuscripts or whole copies, be burnt. Zaid ibn Thaabit (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) added, “A verse from Surat al-Ahzab was missed by me when we copied the Qur’an and I used to hear Allaah’s Messenger reciting it. “So we searched for it and found it with Khuzaima ibn Thaabit al-Ansari (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu). (That verse was): ‘Among the believers are men who have been true in their covenant with Allaah.’ (33.23)”
His death
An-Nazzal ibn Sabura narrated: “I said to Abu Mus’oud al-Ansari (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu): ‘What did Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) say at the time of his death?’ He replied, ‘When it was the Sahar time (before dawn) Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said, “I seek refuge in Allaah from a morning that ends to Hell-Fire.” He repeated it three times, then he said, ‘Buy for me two white garments, for they will not be left on me except for a while and then they will be exchanged either to better than them or they will be looted from me.'” [Al-Mustadrak]
Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) died in the year 36 A.H after the death of ‘Uthman (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) by forty days. [Mukhtasar Tarikh Dimashq]
Abu Na’eim said in the biography of Hudhaifah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu): “He knew about the trials and the states of the hearts. He asked about the evil and stayed away from it, he sought the good and he attained it. He felt at rest with poverty and inclined to Inaabah and returning to Allaah in repentance and remorse.”
May Allaah be pleased with him and all the Companions.
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