Muslim creed – Khabbab bin Arats was a blacksmith who was skilled at making weapons, especially swords. He sold his weapons and swords to the people of Mecca and sent them to the markets.
Since believing in Allah and His Messenger, Khabbab also got a high position among the people who were tortured and persecuted. He got that position among people who, although poor and helpless, were brave and upright in the face of the arrogance, arbitrariness and madness of the Quraysh.
And with incredible courage, Khabbab took on all that responsibility as a pioneer.
Sha’bi said, “Khabbab showed his steadfastness, so that his heart was not in the least affected by the barbaric actions of the disbelievers. They put hot stones on his back, until his flesh burned.”
Kafir Quraysh had changed all the iron in Khabbab’s house which he used as raw material for making swords, into shackles and iron chains. Then they put it in the fire until it burned and red hot, then they wrapped it around the body, around the hands and feet of Khabbab.
One day he went with his friends who were suffering to meet the Prophet Muhammad, not because he was disappointed and annoyed at the sacrifice, just because he wanted and hoped for safety.
They said, “O Messenger of Allah, don’t you want to ask us for help?”
Rasulullah SAW sat down, his face turned red, then he said: “Before you, there was a man who was tortured, his body was buried except for the neck up. Then a saw was taken to saw off his head, but such torment could not in the slightest turn him away from him. There are also those who are brushed between their flesh and bones with an iron brush, nor can they shake their faith. Surely Allah will perfect this, so that every traveler who travels from Shana’a to Hadlramaut, knows nothing but Allah Almighty. “
Khabbab and his friends heard these words, their faith and determination increased. And each one vows to prove to Allah and His Messenger what is expected of them, namely steadfastness, patience and sacrifice.
Thus, Khabbab endured suffering patiently, steadfastly and steadfastly. The Quraysh were forced to ask for the help of Ummi Anmar, the former employer of Khabbab who had freed him from slavery. The woman finally intervened and took part in torturing and beating him.
The woman took a flaming hot iron, then placed it on Khabbab’s head and crown, while Khabbab writhed in pain. But he held his breath until no complaints came out which would cause the executioners to feel satisfied and happy.
One day the Messenger of Allah passed in front of him, while the smoldering iron above his head burned and scorched him. Until the heart of the Prophet was like being lifted because of grief and compassion. The Prophet then prayed, “O Allah, bestow Your help on Khabbab!”
And God’s will was done, after a few days, Ummi Anmar received qishas punishment. It was as if the Almighty wanted to serve as a warning both for himself and for the other executioners. He was attacked by some kind of strange and terrible heat illness. According to historians he howled like a dog.
And people advise that the only way or medicine that can cure him is to iron his head with a flaming iron. Thus, his haughty head was subjected to a hot iron, which people ironed on him every morning and evening
If the Quraysh wanted to break their faith with torment, then the believers would overcome that torment with sacrifice. And Khabbab was the one chosen by fate to be a great teacher in the science of ransom and sacrifice. It could be said that all of his time and life was devoted to the religion whose banner began to fly.
In the days of the first da’wah, Khabbab. He did not feel enough with just worship and prayer, but he also took advantage of his ability to teach. He came to the house of some of his friends who believed and hid their Islam for fear of the cruelty of the Quraysh, then he read to them the verses of the Koran and taught it. He attained proficiency in studying the Qur’an which was revealed verse by verse and letter by letter.
Abdullah bin Mas’ud narrated about himself, that Rasulullah SAW said, “Whoever wants to read the Qur’an exactly as it was revealed, let him imitate the reading of Ibn Ummi Abdin (Khabbab bin Arats)!”
Until Abdullah bin Mas’ud considered Khabbab as a place to ask questions related to the Koran, both about memorization and lessons.
Khabbab was also the one who taught the Koran to Fatimah bint Khatthab and her husband Sa’id bin Zaid when they were caught by Umar bin Khatthab who came with a sword at his waist to make calculations with Islam and the Prophet SAW.
Khabbab bin Arats accompanied the Prophet Muhammad in all his wars and battles, and throughout his life he continued to defend his faith and belief. And when Baitul Mal was overflowing with wealth during the reign of Umar and Uthman RA, Khabbab got a big salary, because he was part of the Muhajirin group who first converted to Islam.
This sufficient income allowed him to build a house in Kufa, and his wealth was deposited in a place in the house that was known to his companions and guests who needed it. So that if there is a need between them, he can take the money he needs from that place.
However, Khabbab never sleeps well and never has tears in his eyes whenever he remembers the Prophet Muhammad and his companions who have dedicated their lives to Allah. They were fortunate to have met Him before the doors of the world were opened to the Muslims and before wealth was handed over to them.
When his companions came to visit when he was sick, they said, “Be happy, O Abu Abdillah, because you will be able to meet your colleagues.”
Khabbab said in tears, “Really, I do not feel annoyed or disappointed, but you have reminded me of the friends and relatives who have gone before us with all their good deeds, before they got the slightest reward in the world. While we are still live and receive the wealth of the world, until there is no place to store it but earth.”
Then Khabba pointed to the simple house he had built, then he also appointed a place to put his wealth. “By Allah, I have never closed it even with a thread, and I have never hindered anyone who asked,” he said.
And after that he turned to the shroud that had been prepared for him. So when he saw luxurious and extravagant, his tears flowed. “Look at my shroud. Wasn’t the shroud of Hamza’s uncle Rasulullah SAW when he died as a martyr, only a gray burdah, which when closed to his head both ends of his legs opened. On the other hand, when he closed his feet, his head was exposed?”
Khabbab died in 37 Hijriyah. Thus, the sword maker in the time of ignorance is no longer there. Likewise, the great teacher of devotion and sacrifice in Islam has passed away.
