Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman

Who was Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman?

Huthayfa ibn al-Yaman was a close companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and one of the earliest converts to Islam. He related a considerable number of hadith, particularly those relating to eschatology. He is recorded to have said "[Muhammad] told me all that would occur from the present until the Day of Judgement'.

His father, al-Yaman was from the Meccan Banu Abs tribe but after killing someone he left Mecca for Yathrib, allying himself with the Banu al-Ash-hal tribe into which he married. The restrictions on his returning to Mecca were eventually lifted and he divided his time between Mecca and his preferred residence in Yathrib. This was how Hudhayfah had a Meccan origin but a Yathribite upbringing. Prior to the hijra a delegation from the Abs tribe, including al-Yaman, announced their acceptance of Islam. Hudhayfah grew up in a Muslim household and was taught by his parents who were among the first Muslims in Yathrib. Hudhayfah longed to meet Muhammad and from an early age he followed whatever news there was about him. He eventually journeyed to Mecca where he met Muhammad and inquired if he was a muhajir or an Ansari. Muhammad told him "If you wish you may consider yourself among the muhajirin, or if you wish you may consider yourself one of the Ansar. Choose whichever is dearer to you" Hudhayfah replied "Well, I am an Ansari. O Rasulullah".