Islamic Biographies

He repeated this sentence twice and then asked if his shroud had been prepared. When the Companions replied that it had, he said. "Do not clothe me in a very expensive shroud. If the verdict of Allāh is in my favor it will change into the best possible robe. If it is, otherwise, then even this shroud will rot and become torn and tattered." After this he kept on repeating these phrases of supplication to Allāh. "O Lord! You know that during my whole life I preferred poverty to wealth, humility to pride and arrogance and the life of the Hereafter to the life of this world." May Allāh have Mercy on Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān; he was a remarkable man of great qualities. "Come back to your Lord, well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing (unto Him)!" [Sūrah Al-Fajr 89:28] [The End] May Allāh سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Shower His Blessings on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his Companions. اَللّٰهُ أَعْلَم (To be continued…) ان شاء الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ Please Share 🔹 Facebook: https://fb.me/BiographiesIslamic 🔹 Telegram: https://t.me/BiographiesIslamic

Final Surrender: The following morning, Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) advanced toward Nihāwand. After the Persians put up a brief show of resistance at Darīzīn, they finally retreated behind the city walls. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) laid siege to Nihāwand. The Persian commander, Dīnār, soon offered to surrender unconditionally, and Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) accepted the surrender, ending the main battle. 3. Post-Battle Administration Following the victory and the peace agreement (where the Persians agreed to pay the Jizyah), Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) oversaw the final duties of the commander: Distribution of Spoils: He ensured the vast booty (ghanīmah) was collected and distributed according to Islāmic law. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) also made extra payments to soldiers who had performed heroic deeds. The Treasure of Nakhīr Jān: When a vast and ancient treasure was discovered, Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) and his advisers decided that due to its immense and unique value, it should not be distributed locally but sent directly to the Caliph ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) for his disposal. The treasure consisted of a vast amount of pearls, sapphires, and other precious stones so rare and valuable that they were described as having never been seen before in the world. The treasure was named after a Persian general, Nakhīr Jān, who was a great lord and a companion of the Emperor Parwēz. The treasure itself, however, was amassed by the Emperor Parwēz and given to the wife of Nakhīr Jān (who was later brought into the Emperor's harem). For unknown reasons, the jewels, including a coronet made for Nakhīr Jān, became known by his name and remained with the woman's children. After the surrender of Nihāwand, the Zoroastrian high priest of the city approached the officer in charge of distributing the spoils and offered to lead him to the secret location of the "treasure of the family of Chosroes" in exchange for sparing the priest's family. When the treasure was brought out in two large boxes, Ḥudhayfah (may Allāh be pleased with him) and his advisers decided that, due to its immense and unique value, it should not be distributed among the soldiers as general spoils of war (ghanīmah). Instead, the entire trove was ordered to be sent directly to the Commander of the Faithful, ʿUmar (may Allāh be pleased with him), in Al-Madīnah, for him to use as he wished. This decision ensured that such an extraordinary resource was handled by the highest authority for the benefit of all Muslims, rather than being divided on the battlefield. Consolidating Victory: He dispatched a column under Nuʿaym ibn Muqarrin and Qaʿqāʿ ibn ʿAmr to pursue the remaining Persian elements, which led to the surrender of Hamadān and brought a large part of the Zagros Mountains permanently under Muslim rule. The Battle of Nihāwand cemented Ḥudhayfah's (رضي الله عنه) reputation as a brilliant and trusted military commander, responsible for securing one of the most decisive victories in early Islāmic history. Another great exploit of his was that when different copies of the Noble Qur'ān began to be circulated during his time, he got one version for all by common consent. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) played the crucial role of initiating the effort. He noticed the differences in recitation (Qirā'āt) among the soldiers from various regions during the battles in Armenia and Azerbaijan. He returned to ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (رضي الله عنه) and urged him to unify the Muslim community upon a single written copy. This led to ʿUthmān's (رضي الله عنه) project to compile the standardized Muṣḥaf (Muṣḥaf ʿUthmānī). In spite of all his noble qualities and great achievements the awe and majesty of Allāh always held sway over his heart. He dreaded the Day of Judgement and the punishment that could follow. When he fell seriously ill and his end was near some Companions came to nurse him. He asked them what time it was. They said it would soon be dawn. He called out, "I ask protection from the morning which will send me to Jahannum (Hell)."

Ḥudhayfah's (رضي الله عنه) Role in the Battle of Nihāwand (21 AH) The Battle of Nihāwand, which began in the latter half of December 641 CE (Muharram 21 AH), was a major confrontation where the Muslim forces faced a formidable, well-fortified Persian army under the general Mardānshāh. 1. Initial Deployment and Command The Persian army established a strong defensive line along a brown ridge, protected by a wadi (stream) and a belt of iron caltrops (designed to lame horses), making a frontal assault extremely difficult. Muslim Right Wing: In the initial deployment on the first day of battle, Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin (رضي الله عنه), the overall commander, placed Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (رضي الله عنه) in command of the Muslim right wing. Initial Attacks: The Muslims launched two unsuccessful frontal attacks (on Wednesday and Thursday), incurring losses without breaching the Persian line, which was likened to "a mountain of iron." 2. The New Line of Succession Following the initial setbacks and before the decisive action, Nuʿmān (رضي الله عنه) established a new, longer line of command succession, likely due to his premonition of martyrdom: Commander: Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin (رضي الله عنه). Succession Order: Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (رضي الله عنه) remained the second in command. He was followed by Jarīr ibn ʿAbdullāh, Qays ibn Makshūḥ, and a total list of seven officers, with Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah (رضي الله عنه) placed last. This re-ordering confirms Ḥudhayfah's (رضي الله عنه) status as the most trusted general after the primary commander, reinforcing the confidence ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) had placed in him. 3. Role in the Decisive Stratagem After two days of fighting proved fruitless, the Muslim generals, including Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه), were gathered for a council of war. The Plan: The council, ultimately agreeing with a suggestion by Ṭulayḥah (the ex-Impostor), adopted a ruse to lure the Persians out of their fortifications. The plan involved: Spreading the false rumor that the Caliph ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) had died. Feigning a hasty withdrawal from the Muslim camp. Ḥudhayfah's Role: During the execution of this feigned retreat (the following Thursday), Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه), along with Nuʿmān's brothers, Nuʿaym and Suwayd, was designated as a reserve officer to be used as needed in the center, ready for the critical moment when the Muslims would turn and fight the pursuing Persians. The plan worked perfectly: the Persians, believing the Muslims were defeated and retreating, broke their defenses, filled the caltrop gaps, and marched out in formation to pursue them, setting the stage for the final, bloody confrontation. The Muslim stratagem—feigning retreat to lure the Persians out of their fortifications—succeeded spectacularly. When the Persians advanced and engaged, the battle was fierce, but the Persian line eventually broke just before sunset. Martyrdom of Nuʿmān: The Muslim commander, Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin (رضي الله عنه), was mortally wounded during the final assault (he breathed his last after learning of the Muslim victory). Succession: According to the pre-established line of succession, Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (رضي الله عنه) was instantly informed of Nuʿmān's (رضي الله عنه) fall and immediately took command of the entire army. Maintaining Momentum: His swift and seamless assumption of leadership ensured that the pursuit of the routed Persian army was maintained without a break, preventing the Persian forces from regrouping. 2. The Pursuit and the Fall of Nihāwand Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) led the relentless pursuit of the disorganized Persians, who were severely hindered by the iron chains binding their infantry and the caltrop belt they had to re-cross. Wai Khurd: The pursuit continued into the night until the Persian horde reached a ravine or cleft known as Wai Khurd, where thousands perished due to the bottleneck and the pursuing Muslims. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) gave the order to stop the pursuit sometime during the night.

Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) successfully infiltrated the camp of the Quraysh and found their leader, Abū Sufyān, warming himself by the fire. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) had the perfect opportunity to kill him but restrained himself, prioritizing the specific command of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ not to provoke them into a final coordinated attack. Abū Sufyān, after being terrified by the storm and finding his allies separated, decided to order the general retreat of the Confederate forces. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) returned with this vital intelligence, bringing joy to the Prophet ﷺ and confirming the Muslim victory through divine intervention. Upon his return, the cold returned to Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه), and the Prophet ﷺ covered him with a corner of his own praying cloak, honoring his sacrifice and obedience. Throughout his life Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān remained in constant touch with the secrets and military tactics and strategies of the enemy. The Khulafā' ar-Rāshidūn (Rightly Guided Caliphs) always used to turn to him in the matter of the hypocrites. Before leading the funeral prayers of any Muslim who died, ʿUmar Fārūq (رضي الله عنه) would always first inquire if Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān was present. If the people said he was present, he would lead the prayers. And if the people said he was not there, then he would become doubtful regarding the dead man's faith and not lead the prayers. On one occasion ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) asked Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān if any among his government's representatives was a hypocrite. He answered that there was only one such person. When asked who it was he refused to name him. Ḥudhayfah says soon after this ʿUmar removed him from office. He says, "I felt this was because Allāh had given him guidance in this matter." Few people realize that Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān was the one who had conquered the very important Iranian territories of Nahāwand, Dīnawar, Rayy and Hamadān. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) was a key military commander in the conquests of Persia. He was the commander of the Muslim army at the Battle of Nahāwand (642 CE), a pivotal battle that opened up much of Irān (Persia) to Muslim rule. He was also instrumental in the conquest of the surrounding regions. The Battle of Nihāwand (also spelled Nahāwand), which took place in the third quarter of 20 AH (641 CE) and was a decisive victory for the Muslims against the Sasanian Persian Empire. Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (رضي الله عنه) played two crucial, predetermined roles in this campaign: The Commander of the Faithful, ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه), appointed Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin as the overall commander for the campaign against the large Persian army (estimated at 60,000 men). Crucially, ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) established a clear line of succession in case the commander fell in battle: First Commander: Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin (رضي الله عنه). Second Commander: Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (رضي الله عنه). Third Commander: Jarīr ibn ʿAbdullāh (رضي الله عنه). Fourth Commander: Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah (رضي الله عنه). Fifth Commander: Ashʿath ibn Qays (رضي الله عنه). This shows the high trust ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) placed in Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) as the second most experienced and reliable general for this monumental battle. At the time of the call to arms, Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (رضي الله عنه) was serving as the administrator of Ctesiphon (the former Persian capital). His immediate military task was to lead one of the main components of the Muslim army during the concentration phase. He was ordered to march with the bulk of the forces from Kūfah (along with elements from Baṣra).He was instructed to take the Kirmānshāh road. Nuʿmān (رضي الله عنه) ordered Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) to meet him at Tazar (present-day Khusrauabad), where the entire Muslim army would concentrate before advancing on Nihāwand. These orders show that Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) was essential not only for his military leadership but also for his ability to command and coordinate large bodies of troops during the strategic concentration of the Muslim forces.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Biography – 179 [Part - 3] *COMMANDERS OF THE MUSLIM ARMY AMONG THE COMPANIONS OF THE PROPHET ﷺ* Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنه The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to Ḥudhayfah, "If you wish, you can be one of the Migrants (al-Muhājirīn), and if you wish, you can be one of the Helpers (al-Anṣār), so choose the one of the two matters that is more beloved to your soul." [Ṣuwar min Ḥayāt aṣ-Ṣaḥābah, Page 289] Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (رضي الله عنه) holds a unique and crucial position among the companions of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ known primarily as Sāḥib Sirr al-Rasūl (The Keeper of the Secret of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ). The Unique Trust and the Hypocrites The Prophet ﷺ entrusted Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) with the identities of the hypocrites (Munāfiqūn) who outwardly professed Islām but secretly plotted against the Muslims. This was a top secret revealed to no one else and cemented Ḥudhayfah's (رضي الله عنه) pivotal role in safeguarding the Muslim community. This specialized knowledge led to a famous tradition during the Caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه). ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) would always look for Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) at the funeral of any Muslim. If Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) abstained from the funeral prayer, ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) would likewise refrain, assuming the deceased was one of the known hypocrites. Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) further attested to the existence of these internal enemies, specifically mentioning the plot against the Prophet (ﷺ): He reported that the Prophet, ﷺ, revealed that there were twelve hypocrites who would never enter Paradise. Furthermore, Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) attested that a group of fourteen or fifteen individuals were involved in the plot to ambush the Prophet (ﷺ) at the ʿAqabah on the road from Tabūk, and that twelve of them were enemies of Allāh and His Messenger, ﷺ. The greatest difficulty faced by the Muslims in Al-Madīnah was that of the hypocrites and the Jews. They used to devise plots continuously to harm the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions. Finally, the Prophet ﷺ considering the critical situation, revealed to Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān the names of these hypocrites who were pretending to be Muslims. This was a top secret that he did not talk about to anyone but Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān. He told him to keep an eye on the movements of these hypocrites so as to nip in the bud their conspiracies against Islām and its followers. Thus, from that day on, Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān had the honor of being a confidant of the Prophet ﷺ who used the natural talents and skills bestowed on him by Allāh. He was intelligent, quick, wise, and farsighted. He also had an astute understanding of matters which helped him to solve tricky problems. The Mission in the Battle of the Ditch (Al-Khandaq) The valor and steadfastness of Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) were supremely evident during the siege of Al-Madīnah in the Battle of the Ditch (Al-Khandaq or Al-Aḥzāb). On a night of extreme darkness, intense cold, and a violent, uprooting storm, the morale of the Muslims was severely tested, and many hypocrites sought permission to desert the ranks. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ sought a volunteer to infiltrate the enemy camp. The Prophet ﷺ called out three times, offering the immense reward of being with him on the Day of Resurrection to whoever would bring him news of the enemy, but no one responded due to the severity of the hunger and cold. Finally, the Prophet ﷺ called him by name: "Get up, O Ḥudhayfah!" The Miracle and the Restraint Divine Aid: Upon receiving the command, Ḥudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) was instantly relieved of all fear and the intense cold by the Prophet's supplication, feeling as if he were walking in a bathhouse. The Command: The Prophet ﷺ instructed him: "Go and bring me news of the enemy, and do not provoke them against me."