The Master Blacksmith of Makkah

"𝑺𝒉𝒂’𝒃𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒃𝒂𝒃 𝑰𝒃𝒏 𝑨𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒕(𝒓𝒂) 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑼𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝑰𝒃𝒏 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒃(𝒓𝒂), 𝑼𝒎𝒂𝒓(𝒓𝒂) 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒏. Umar(ra) then said, ‘Besides one man, there is none on the surface of this earth who deserves to occupy this place more than you.’ Who is this man, ‘O Amirul Mu’mineen?’ asked Khabbab(ra). Umar(ra) replied, ‘He is Bilal.’ Khabbab(ra)said, ‘He is really not more deserving than me because there were people amongst the polytheists (Mushrikeen) whom Allah used to protect him while there was none to protect me. 

[Tabaqat by Ibn Sa'd]🌙

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It was the way of backward tribes bound by senseless codes of honour or tribal allegiance that led to constant fighting. Khabbab Ibn al-Aratt(ra) was a black Arab boy, from the tribe of Bani Tamim in Najd. When his tribe was raided he, an intelligent, wise boy was sold in the markets to the greedy Umm Anmaar. 

She saw his potential and soon apprenticed him to a blacksmith in Makkah, learning the art of making swords. Later fully-fledged, Khabbab(ra) was no ordinary blacksmith; his talents grew, becoming famous for forging the best swords of superb craftsmanship as well as for his honesty and integrity. Umm Anmaar exploited this talented youth; for everything he made went straight into her pockets. Still, Khabbab(ra) was wise beyond his years and a thinker.     

With the innate fitrah inside him, Khabbab(ra) recognised the false idols and corruption of the society preying upon its weak despite the status quo that said they did no wrong. He lived in hope of change, and indeed finally witnessed a new dawn bringing the message of Tawhid that challenged the oppressive norms around him. The Prophet’sﷺ call for respect and dignity for all human lives spoke to his heart.

Khabbab(ra) did not hide his acceptance of Islam from anyone. The news of his becoming a Muslim threatened Umm Anmaar; she became incensed. With her brother’s help, a gang of youths from the Khuzaa tribe approached Khabbab(ra) saying, “We have been told that you have given up your religion and that you now follow that man from the Banu Hashim ."

Khabbab(ra) calmly replied, "I have not given up my religion. I only believe in One God Who has no partner. I reject your idols and I believe that Muhammad is the servant of God and His messenger." No sooner had Khabbab(ra) spoken these words than the gang ruthlessly set upon him.

Khabbab(ra) knew he had to stand up for the truth despite the difficulty and it required strong faith, patience, perseverance and reliance upon Allah SWT. Khabbab’s(ra) convictions gave him the resilience and the bravery to endure this and much more torture, until he was permitted to make the Hijrah to Madinah, where relief finally came, for Allah SWT does not withhold the reward of one who does good.🌙

𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of 𝗦.𝗡.𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗶 ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, Islamic chapter books for kids📚) 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀  📚