Adi bin Hatim RA – Finally he didn’t left for Caesar.
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Rasulullah SAW Invites Adi bin Hatim
to Islam. Adi bin Hatim. Narrates, 'O Men I heard about the coming of Rasulullah
SAW, I disliked this very greatly. So I left and found myself close to Rome
(according to another narration he said, "So I left and went to the
Caesar").
Calling to Allah was the mission
of all Rasul of Allah and Nabi of Allah beginning with Adam until the Last Muhammad
Rasulullah SAW and his followers, as Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an:
Say (O Muhammad), “This is
my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted
is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” (Al-An`am
6:108)
Their mission was to bring people
out of the darkness of disbelief into the light of Islam, from worshiping idols
to the worship of Allah, and from the Hellfire to Paradise. The Prophet (peace
be upon him) used to call people with wisdom and beautiful preaching based on
the Qur’anic guidance as Almighty Allah says:
“Invite to the way of your
Lord with wisdom and good instruction,
and argue with them in a
way that is best…” (An-Nahl 16:125)
In the following, we will discuss
in brief the story of the conversion of `Adi ibn Hatim At-Ta’i who was one of
the greatest figures of Christianity during the period that preceded Islam:
`Adi was the son of Hatim, the
chieftain of Tai’ tribe, which lived in Najd Province in the central part of
Arabian Peninsula. After the death of Hatim, his son `Adi was crowned as the
ruler. When Rasulullah SAW started calling people to Islam, `Adi felt threat to
his rule. Therefore, he began to oppose Muhammad and act against the interests
of Islam. `Adi and his tribe were Christians. When Islamic conquests came near
to his tribe’s boundaries, `Adi decided to flee to Syria that was under a Christian
King. Due to his haste in leaving his people, he could not take his beloved
sister along with his caravan proceeding to Syria.
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| For the love of Allah SWT |
It was narrated that, when `Adi
knew about Rasulullah SAW mission, he
moved to Syria. His sister and a group of his tribe were taken as prisoners.
Later, Rasulullah SAW) released her and she returned to her brother (`Adi)
asking him about converting to Islam. `Adi came at the head of a group of his
tribe to meet Rasulullah SAW in Madinah.
`Adi’s father was known for his generosity, so the people of Madinah were
pleased with his coming to Rasulullah SAW. `Adi came to Rasulullah SAW with a
cross of silver around his neck while Rasulullah SAW was reciting:
“They have taken their
scholars and monks as lords besides Allah… “(At-Tawbah 9:31)
Imam Ahmad also narrated on the
authority of `Adi bin Hatim RA:
However, I disliked this place
more than I disliked the coming of Rasulullah SAW. I then said to myself, 'By
Allah! Why do I not rather meet this person? If he is a liar or truth, I would
know it."' Adi bin Hatim RA continues the story and says, "So I came
to Rasulullah SAW. When I arrived, the people started shouting, 'Adi bin Hatim!,
Adi bin Hatim!!' When I came before Rasulullah SAW he said to me, '0 Adi bin
Hatim!, Accept Islam and stay in peace.' Rasulullah SAW repeated this three
times. I said to Rasulullah SAW, 'But I already follow a Deen." Rasulullah
SAW replied, 'I know more about your Deen than you do." Adi bin Hatim says
further, "I said, 'You know more about my Deen than I do?' Rasulullah SAW
replied, 'Yes. Are you not from the Rakusiyya sect and have taken a quarter of
your people's booty. I said, 'True.' Rasulullah SAW then continued, 'This is
not permissible for you according to your religion.' I admitted, 'Yes, it
certainly is not permissible.' After hearing this, I was humbled before
him." (Ahmad)
Rasulullah SAW then added,
"Listen. I am also well aware of the thing that prevents you from
accepting Islam. You say that only simple people who have no influence follow
him; people whom the Arabs have cast out. Do you know the place Heera?" Adi
bin Hatim replied, “Although I have never seen the place. I have certainly
heard about it." Rasulullah SAW then said, "I swear by the Being who
controls my life! Allah shall bring this (propagation of Islam) to such
completion (and the land will be so safe) that a veiled woman shall leave from Heera
all alone and perform Tawaf of the Ka’abah without the need of having someone
accompany her. Without doubt, the treasures of Kisra bin Hurmuz shall also be
conquered.
"In astonishment, Adi bin
Hatim said, "The treasures of Kisra bin Hurmuz?" 'Yes," replied
Rasulullah SAW, "The treasures of Kisra bin Hurmuz. In addition to this,
wealth will be so freely spent that there will be none to take it."
After narrating the story, Adi
bin Hatim said, "There is the woman from Heera performing Tawaf without
anyone to accompany her and I was among those who conquered the treasures of
Kisra. I swear by the Being in whose control is my life, the third prophesy
shall also come true because Rasulullah SAW said it.''
Adi bin Hatim RA - narrates that he and some others were at
a place called Aqrab when a group of horsemen sent by Rasulullah SAW arrived
there. They captured some people along with Adi bin Hatim’s aunt. When they were brought
before Rasulullah SAW and lined up before him, his aunt said, "0
Rasulullah SAW! My breadwinner has gone missing, my children are no more and I
am just an old woman who cannot be of any service. Be kind to me and Allah will
be kind to you." ''Who is your breadwinner?" Rasulullah SAW asked.
"Adi bin Haatim" was the reply. Rasulullah SAW said, "The one who escaped from Allah and
his Rasul.
Rasulullah SAW showed kindness to
her (by letting her go) and as she-left, a man who had been with Rasulullah SAW
(whom they believe was Saidina Ali RA, it will not harm me in the least. On the
other hand, if he is speaking the truth) said to her, "Why do you not ask
Rasulullah SAW for transport?" When she asked for transport, Rasulullah
SAW ordered and had it arranged for her.
Adi bin Hatim RA continues the
story. He says, "When my aunt came back, she said to me, 'your father
would have never done what you did (deserting me like that).' Whether you like
it or not, you will have to go to him (Rasulullah SAW).'
She then recounted the incidents of many people who had been
to meet Rasulullah SAW and enjoyed a favorable reception. I then proceeded to
meet Rasulullah SAW."
"When I came to Rasulullah
SAW, I saw a woman and one or two children sitting with him. ( Adi bin Hatim also
mentioned how close they set to Rasulullah SAW )I. gathered from this that he
was neither like the king Kisra nor like the Caesar (but much more
approachable). Rasulullah SAW said to me, '0 Adi bin Hatim! What made you run
away? Did the thought of saying that there is none worthy of worship but Allah
make you run away? Is anyone worthy of worship but Allah?
What made you run away? Did the
thought of saying Allah is the greatest make you run away? Is there anything
greater than Allah the Most High the Most Exalted?' I then accepted Islam and I
saw the face of Rasulullah SAW light up with happiness and he said, 'Indeed
those with whom Allah is angry are the Jews and those who are astray are the
Christians.'"(At-Tirmidhi and Ahmad)
Adi bin Hatim RA - continues,
"Some people then began asking Rasulullah SAW for things (and because he
had nothing with him, Rasulullah SAW started encouraging the Sahabah RA to
assist these people). Rasulullah SAW then praised Allah SWT and said to the
people, '0 people! Spend from that wealth which is extra even though it may be
one Saa or even less than that; whether it may be a handful or even less than
that (one of the narrators by the name of Shu'ba says that as far as he can remember,
Rasulullah SAW also added, 'Whether it may be a single date or even a piece of
a date). Every one of you shall stand before Allah (on the Day of Qiyamah) and
Allah SWT shall ask him exactly as I am telling you now. Allah SWT shall say,
'Did I not bless you with the faculties of hearing and seeing? Did I not give
you wealth and children? What have you sent ahead from this?
A person will then look in front
of him and look behind him. He will look to his right and look to his left but
he will find nothing there. He shall have nothing to save him from the fire of
Jahannam besides the countenance of Allah SWT. Therefore, save yourselves from
the fire of Jahannam even though it is with a piece of the date (that you give
as charity). If you do not even have that, than, do so by speaking a kind word
(to a beggar). Verily I do not fear poverty overcoming you for Allah shall
certainly assist you and shall certainly bestow his bounties upon you
(according to another narration he said, "Allah shall certainly grant you
many conquests") until the time comes when a veiled woman shall travel
between Heera and Madinah or even a greater distance without the fear of being
robbed while sitting in her carriage.
On another perspective of Adi bin
Hatim RA:
Adi bin Hatim ( عدي ابن حاتم
الطائي ) was a leader of
the Arab tribe of Tayy, and one of the companions of Muhammad. He is the son of
the poet Hatim al-Tai,who was widely known for his chivalry and generosity
among Arabs. Adi remained antagonistic to Islam for about twenty years until he
converted to Islam from Christianity in 630 (9th year of Hijra).
Adi bin Hatim inherited the
domain of his father and was confirmed in the position by the Tayy people. A
great part of his strength lay in the fact that a quarter of any amount they
gained as booty from raiding expeditions had to be given to him.
Adi joined the Islamic army at
the time of Caliphate Abu Bakr. He
fought wars of revolt against the apostates and also was a commander of the
Islamic army sent to invade Iraq under the command of Khalid ibn al-Walid. He
also fought on the side of the final Rightly Guided Caliph, Saidina Ali ibn Abi
Talib RA, at the Battle of Camel an
(1) Ahmad
as quoted in Al Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vol. 5 Pg. 66). Baghawi has also narrated
the report
as
mentioned in lsaaba (Vol. 2 Pg. 468).
(2)
Referring to the closing verse of Surah Faatiha.
(3) Ahmad.
Tirmidhi has also narrated the Hadith and classified it as "Hasan,
Ghareebnwithout
knowing
whether it is narrated by anyone besides Sammaak. Bayhaqi has narrated a part
of the
HADITH NARRATED BY
ADI BIN HATIM RA
Hadith no: 185
Narrated: Adi bin Hatim
“The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: 'There is no one among
you but his Lord will speak to him without any intermediary between them. He
will look to his right and will not see anything but that which he sent forth.
He will look to his left and will not see anything but that which he sent
forth. Then he will look in front of him and will be faced with the Fire. So
whoever among you can protect himself from the Fire, even by half a date, let
him do so.'” (Sahih)
Hadith no: 1843
Narrated: Adi bin Hatim
the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Each one of you
will be spoken to by his lord, with no mediator between them. He will look in
from of him and the fire will be facing him. He will look to his right and will
not see anything but something that he had sent on before. He will look to his
left and will not see anything but something that he had sent on before. Whoever
among you can save himself in Fire, even with half a date, let him do so."
Hadith no: 2108
Narrated: Adi bin Hatim
The Messenger of Allah (saw), said: "Whoever swears an
oath then sees that something else is better than it, let him do that which is
better and offer expiation for what he swore about."
