Hajjaj bin Ilat (r.a.)

Hajjaj was among the rich ones of Sons of Sulaym. He had gold mines. He was going to Makkah with some friends in 7 H. When it got dark, it was terrible. They could not proceed due to terror of the night. They had to stop and spend the night there. His friends asked Hajjaj to do something for their safety. Hajjaj stood up and started to turn around his friends. While turning, he said, “I take refuge in God for me, my friends and our animals from the jinn in this valley until we return safely.  Meanwhile the following was heard:

“O ye assembly of Jinn and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! not without authority shall ye be able to pass.” (ar-Rahman, 33)

They spent the night in fear. They continued to proceed in the morning. When they arrived in Makkah, they told the polytheists about this incident. The polytheists said to Hajjaj, “By Allah, you exited your religion. Muhammad says this statement was revealed to him.” Hajjaj said that not only him but also his friends heard it. Then, he asked where the Prophet was. When he found out that he was in Madinah, he set off at once. He arrived in Madinah after a long journey and found the Prophet. After talking to him a bit, he uttered kalima ash-shahadah and became a Muslim. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was preparing an army to conquer Khaybar at that time.  Hajjaj took part in this army.  

The polytheists owed Hajjaj a lot of money. He informed the Prophet about it. He said to the Prophet, “Will you allow me to collect my receivables?” When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) allowed him, he went to Makkah. He concealed that he had become a Muslim in order to collect his receivables easily. Thus, he collected all of his money in a short time and returned to Makkah. He gave away most of his wealth as zakah. Hajjaj, who served Islam throughout his life, died in Madinah during the first years of the caliphate of Hz. Umar.   

May Allah be pleased with him! [1]

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[1]Usdul-Ghaba, 1: 381; Tabaqat, 4: 270-271.