Abu Hurayrah

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived in Madinah in the 7th Hijri year, having not been married and having migrated to Madinah for Allah’s sake he joined the destitute migrants in the area known as as-Suffah [1]. Abu Hurayrah, although without children and not married, did arrive in Madinah with his mother. Abu Hurayrah entered Islam eagerly when a caller to Islam came to the region of Daws in coastal south-western Arabia. He was unique in that the majority of his tribe (Daws) did not accept Islam at that time.

When Abu Hurayrah met the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) his name was changed from AbduShams (Slave of the Sun) to AbdurRahman (Slave of the Most-Merciful). However, his nickname is most commonly known, Abu Hurayrah, as he was fond of cats. At the time of migration Abu Hurayrah’s mother was not a Muslim, and after giving her the message of Islam he requested the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to supplicate that his mother become a Muslim. Allah granted it and when Abu Hurayrah returned home after that supplication was made, his mother had become a Muslim.

He was known to love being with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and routinely praised and thanked Allah for guiding him to Islam and blessing him with companionship with Allah’s Messenger. Abu Hurayrah was able to give all his time to study and companionship with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as he did not have land, crops or trading in the market to keep his time occupied. He is the narrator of hundreds of Prophetic Narrations that reach us today through a variety of sources, including the two most authentic sources of Prophetic Narrations: Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. We have many recollections of people who verified the great memory of Abu Hurayrah [2] and Talha bin Ubayd [3] as well as Abi Sa'id Al-Khudari and Abi Salih [4]. Nearly 800 Companions and Followers of the Companions narrated from Abu Hurayrah [5].




[1] The people of as-Suffah were supported and cared for by other Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) and Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) personally cared for these people, called the people of as-Suffah. Donations of money and food would be directed, by the Prophet, to the people of as-Suffah. Even gifts given to the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he would direct them to the people of as-Suffah. He, peace and blessings be upon him, would invite the people of as-Suffah to eat with him, and within his dwellings. He spared no effort to purchase and provide for their needs - peace and blessings be upon him.

[2] Once Marwan ibn al-Hakam wanted to test Abu Hurayrah's power of memory. He sat with him in one room and behind a  curtain he placed a scribe, unknown to Abu Hurayrah, and ordered him to write down whatever Abu Hurayrah said. A year later, Marwan called Abu Hurayrah again and asked him to recall the same ahadith which the scribe had recorded. It was found that he had forgotten not a single word.

[3] Talha ibn Ubayd Allah said: "I don’t doubt that Abu Hurayrah heard form the Prophet what we did not hear."

[4] Abi Sa'id Al-Khudari reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said :"Abu Hurayrah is a vessel of knowledge." Al Amash also narrated that Abi Salih said:"Abu Hurayrah was the best memorizer among the companions."

[5] As mentioned on the website: Supporting Prophet Muhammad. Additionally one ma find relevant biographical information on Abu Hurayrah on this website: http://www.rasoulallah.net