Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman

Keeper of the Secret

Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman was entrusted by the Prophet ﷺ with what he confided to no other: the names of the hypocrites and the order of the trials that would befall the Muslims. He said he asked the Prophet ﷺ about evil while others asked about good, that he might guard against it. So trusted was his knowledge that Umar, when a man died, would not attend the funeral prayer unless Hudhayfa was present — taking his presence as a sign the man was no hypocrite. 1 Stories of the Sahabah · pp. 167–170 — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — Hudhayfa entrusted with the names of the hypocrites; Umar would not pray over a funeral Hudhayfa stayed away from.

The Scout of the Trench

On the bitter, freezing night at the Battle of the Trench, when the confederate army besieged Madinah and only a few hundred Muslims held firm, the Prophet ﷺ sent Hudhayfa alone to spy out the enemy, charging him to do nothing until he returned. He crept into the camp, came upon Abu Sufyan by a fire, and — though he could have killed him — held back in obedience to the order, then returned to report the enemy in disarray from the wind and cold. 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 335–337 — Kandhlawi — Hudhayfa's night reconnaissance of the enemy at the Trench; he refrains from killing Abu Sufyan in obedience to the Prophet's order.

Forgiveness at Uhud

At Uhud, Hudhayfa’s elderly father al-Yaman was killed by Muslims who did not recognise him in the press of battle. Hudhayfa cried out — then forgave them, saying “May Allah forgive you,” and waived the blood-money; the deed raised his standing with the Prophet ﷺ. 3 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 505–506 — Kandhlawi — Hudhayfa's father al-Yaman killed by mistake at Uhud; Hudhayfa forgives the Muslims and waives the blood-money. He died at Mada’in, his last words a hope for his Lord’s pleasure.