Huraym bin Fatik (r.a.)

On the one hand, the Prophet (pbuh) conveyed the truth to all humanity; on the other hand, he brought up a generation that would defend Islam up to the Day of Judgment and call people to Islam.

He brought up the virtuous defenders of Islam, which the whole world paid attention and which enlightened the whole world, in Suffa School; the Messenger of Allah gave great importance to the education of the Companions. He sometimes did not eat but provided them with food; he sometimes did not have clothes to wear but provided them with clothes. Huraym bin Fatik was a respectable student of Suffa School; his name was not heard very much but he was educated by the Messenger of Allah with great care and interest.  

The way Huraym bin Fatik became a Muslim is interesting. It is written in siyar books that Huraym heard a supernatural voice and that this voice caused him to become a Muslim. According to a narration, Hz. Huraym went to Iraq. It was dark at night. Huraym shivered and felt worried because of the darkness. Just then, he heard a supernatural voice:

“What a pity! May Allah show mercy on you! O Huraym! Take refuge in Allah! He has dignity and majesty. He has eternity and honor. Read the verses in the chapter of al-Anfal. Declare Allah’s existence and do not be grievous.” [1]

Huraym arrived in Madinah with the comfort and relief this voice brought about in his heart. He found out that the Prophet uttered words similar to the ones that he heard. He wanted to tell the Messenger of Allah about it. When he went to see the Messenger of Allah, he recited the words that Huraym heard from the supernatural voice on the pulpit in the form of poetry before Huraym said anything. Huraym’s heart began to beat only for the truth after that.

Huraym was aware that everybody’s heart was full of the wish to beat for the truth. He knew that when he became a Muslim, things did not end but just started. He fought heroically in the Battle of Badr with his brother Sibrat.

It is written in siyar resources that he took part in the Battle of Badr and that he was a student of Suffa School. We understand from some hadiths that the Prophet (pbuh) gave importance to his education. The Messenger of Allah intervened in his mistakes and wanted him to correct them since he was very close to the Messenger of Allah.

Once, the Messenger of Allah addressed Huraym bin Fatik as follows:

“O Huraym! You are a really good man. It would be very good if you did not have those two characteristics.”

Huraym asked in excitement: “O Messenger of Allah! What are those two characteristics?” The Messenger of Allah mentioned those two characteristics, which he regarded as signs of conceit and arrogance:

“You lengthen your garment and your hair too much.”

Thereupon, Huraym said, “O Messenger of Allah! You are right.” Then, he left immediately to shorten his garment and hair. [2]

Hz. Huraym got married after being educated in Suffa School. His son called “Ayman” was both a poet and a wrestler. The answer given by his son Ayman to Marwan bin Hakam during some fitnahs that occurred after his death is very significant. When Marwan bin Hakam asked Ayman to fight together with him, he received the following answer:   

“My father and paternal uncle took part in the Battle of Badr. They prohibited fighting against Muslims.”[3]

After giving that answer to Marwan, Ayman recited the following poem:

“I will not fight a man who performs prayers.

I cannot be together with one power of Quraysh.

Its power belongs to it; I cannot load its sin on me.

I take refuge in Allah from ignorance and excessiveness.

How can I kill a Muslim?

I keep away from useless things as long as I live.” [4]

Huraym bin Fatik’s son did not forget his father’s advice and did not take part in fitnahs. Hz. Huraym knew about the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah about the fitnahs to occur and educated his son based on the news and advice in the hadiths.

Huraym narrated the following hadith from the Messenger of Allah:

The Messenger of Allah turned to the Companions and said, “I regard perjury equal to associating partners with Allah.” [5]

Huraym, who reported the hadith above and similar ones died during the caliphate of Muawiya.

May Allah be pleased with him!

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[1]Hilya, 1: 363.
[2]Usdul-Ghaba, 2: 112; al-Istiab, 1: 426.
[3]Usdul-Ghaba, 2: 112.
[4]Tabaqat, 6: 38-39.
[5]Musnad, 4: 361.