Khabbab bin Al-Aratt was a boy from Najd and belonged to Banu Tamim tribe. He was one of the early reverts to Islam. As robbing and raiding was a common practice in Arabia those days, Khabbab’s territory was also raided, which resulted in their enslavement. He was taken as a slave and then via different masters, he landed himself in the market of Makkah, to be sold as a slave. He was bought by Umm Ammar, a lady from Banu Khuza’a clan of Quraish. She kept Khabbab as an apprentice in a blacksmith’s shop in Makkah, where he learnt the art of making swords. His honesty, integrity and trustworthiness made him earn the respect of the Makkans.
Khabbab’s arrival in Makkah was proved to be of immense importance as there he learnt about Islam and reverted to it in its initial days of preaching. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) started telling people about Islam and the justice and equality it ordains, it struck the cord with Khabbab. He began adoring the magnificent beauty of Islam and started to listen to more of what the Messenger of Allah said. Immediately, he made up his mind and entered the fold of Islam by testifying, “There is no God but Allah and the Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) is the Messenger of Allah.”
As expected, his reversion was met with stiff opposition and persecution. Being a slave, the lowest stratum of the society, with virtually no rights at all, he was put to heart-rending persecution. He never hid his faith from anybody and when Umm Ammar got to know about his allegiance to Islam and the Messenger of Allah, she gathered youths and went straight to Khabbab to teach him a lesson. However, Khabbab showed utmost courage when confronted by Umm Ammar and never hesitated once while proclaiming his faith. He was asked by Umm Ammar:
“We have heard some news from you which we don’t believe.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“We have been told that you have given up your religion and that you now follow that man from Banu Hashim .”
“I have not given up my religion,” replied Khabbab calmly. “I only believe in One God Who has no partner. I reject your idols and I believe that Muhammad is the servant of God and His messenger.”
Such audacity from the followers of the Messenger of Allah was never seen by anyone from Makkah before. As soon as he gave his reply, iron rods, kicks and fists were rained upon him and he was beaten so badly that he fell to the ground unconscious and blood profusely flew from his wounds.
The persecution did not end at that. Later, on a regular basis, he was taken out when the sun was at its peak and was told to take off his clothes and lie on the hot sand. All his energy would squeeze away from his body; however he maintained his stance and never said anything which the Makkans forced him to say. He always remained firm and steady on the path of Allah. Lying on the hot sand, he was asked:
“What do you say about Muhammad?”
“He is the servant of God and His messenger. He has come with the religion of guidance and truth, to lead us from darkness into light.”
This would further make them angry and they beat him and ask about Lat and Uzza, to which he used to reply:
“Two idols, deaf and dumb, that cannot cause harm or bring any benefit…”
Once while on a shop, Umm Ammar saw him talking to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). She got so infuriated by this that for many days she went to the workshop and would place hot iron rods over his head to punish him for the insignificant ‘sin’ of talking to the Messenger. Finally, it was Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), who came for his rescue and freed him by buying him from Umm Ammar.
Khabbab was also the one who was present at the moment when Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) entered into the fold of Islam. Khabbab was educating the sister and brother-in-law of Umar new verses of the Qur’ān, when the latter entered in a fit of rage. Seeing Khabbab teaching, he went totally berserk and started beating him, however the resilience and courage of not reverting back to the old religion made Umar ponder over the religion and he finally entered the fold of Islam.
Khabbab also participated in wars and fought along the Messenger of Allah. As he was persecuted mercilessly at the hands of Umm Ammar and her brother Sibai Ibn Abd-al-Uzza, he used to pray to Allah to punish them for their actions. His prayers were realised and he received satisfaction during the Battle of Uhd, where Hamza Ibn Al-Muttalib killed Sibai Ibn Abd-al-Uzza.
Throughout his life Khabbab never had enough means to sustain himself well. However during his last days Allah blessed him with so much wealth that he could never imagine. But as a generous man, Khabbab used to place the money he used to get at a place in his house, which was meant for the poor and needy. The poor would come to the place and take as much money as they needed without taking permission or informing anyone.
He was held in high esteem by the companions of the Messenger of Allah. Even the righteous caliphs had great respect and reverence for him. One day he visited Umar during his caliphate. Seeing him, Umar stood up and said the words which show the great respect he had for him. He said: “No one is more deserving than you to be in this assembly other than Bilal.” Upon his death, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), who was caliph at that time, stood at his grave and said: “May God have mercy on Khabbab. He accepted Islam wholeheartedly. He performed Hijra willingly. He lived as a Mujahid and God shall not withhold the reward of one who has done good.”