Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 43

Selections from The Sayings and Preaching of Amir al-Muminin Ali ibn Abi Talib (Peace Be Upon Him) Including His Replies to Questions and Maxims Expressed for Various Purposes.
Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza

وَ قَالَ عليه‏السلام فِي ذِكْرِ خَبَّابِ بْنِ الْأَرَتِّ:

Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said about Khabbab ibn al-Aratt: (16)

يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ خَبَّابَ بْنَ الْأَرَتِّ فَلَقَدْ أَسْلَمَ رَاغِباً

May Allah have mercy on Khabbab ibn al-Aratt since he accepted Islam willingly,

وَ هَاجَرَ طَائِعاً

immigrated (from Mecca) obediently,

وَ قَنِعَ بِالْكَفَافِ

remained content with what sufficed him,

وَ رَضِيَ عَنِ اللَّهِ

was pleased with Allah

وَ عَاشَ مُجَاهِداً .

and lived the life of a mujahid (holy soldier).

 

16. Khabbab ibn al-Aratt was a distinguished companion of the Holy Prophet and was one of the early muhajirun (immigrants). He suffered various sorts of hardships at the hands of the Quraysh. He was made to stand in the scorching sun, and to lie on fire but he did not for any reason abandon the side of the Holy Prophet. He accompanied the Holy Prophet in Badr and other battles. He supported Amir al-mu'minin in Siffin and Nahrawan. He had left Medina and settled in Kufah. Thus, he died here in 39 A.H. at the age of 73, Amir al-mu'minin led his funeral prayer and he was buried outside Kufah. Amir al-mu'minin uttered these mercy-invoking words standing on his grave.