Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A)

Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) was born in Baha, Yemen. His (R.A)’s real name was Abd al-Shams. Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) accepted Islam on the call of Hazrat at-Tufayl (R.A), when he (R.A) returned to his village after meeting the Holy Prophet (S.A.W).

When Hazrat at-Tufayl (R.A) visited Makkah Shareef again, Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) accompanied him. There he had the honour and privilege of meeting the Noble Prophet (S.A.W). The Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) asked him (R.A): "What is your name?" "Abd al-Shams (Servant of a Sun)," he replied. Rasoolullah (S.A.W) then said "Instead, let it be Abdur-Rahman (the Servant of the Beneficent Lord)". "Yes, Abdur-Rahman (it shall be) O Messenger of Allah" he replied.

Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) looked after the mosque when Holy Prophet (S.A.W) went on to campaign in Khyber. He (R.A) made it a regular habit to give the leftover food to stray cats. Gradually the number of cats around the Masjid increased. He (R.A) loved to take care and play with them. Once our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) saw Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) playing with some cats, to which Rasoolullah (S.A.W) called him as Abu Huraira (Father of cats). Since then he (R.A) preferred to be known as Abu Huraira (this was due to the immense love the Sahabah Iqraam (R.A) had for Rasoolullah (S.A.W)).

Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) is famously known for the compilation of many AHadith. He (R.A) has reported around 5,000 AHadiths, which are mentioned in Muslim Shareef and Bukhari Shareef.

Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) narrates: I said "O Prophet of Allah (S.A.W), I hear the Holy Hadith from you but I forget them”. Hearing this Holy Prophet (S.A.W) directed me to stretch my sheet. I obeyed. The Lord of the Universe (S.A.W) raised His blessed Hands and scooped something from the air and emptied it into the sheet, He (S.A.W) then directed me to take it and clasp it to my chest, I did so. Since then I have never forgotten anything. (Bukhari Shareef)

Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A)'s mother was still a Mushrik (non believer). He (R.A) longed, and prayed, for her to become a Muslim but she adamantly refused.

One day, he (R.A) again invited his mother to believe in the One God and His Prophet. She answered with some bad words about the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) went to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) with tears in his (R.A) eyes. “Why are you crying, Abu Huraira?” asked the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). “I always invite my mother to Islam, and she always refuses,” he replied. “I asked her again today, but she said some things about you that made me sad. Can you pray to Allah (S.W.T) for her to turn to Islam?” The Prophet prayed for Abu Huraira’s mother to accept Islam.

When he (R.A) went home, he (R.A) found the door closed. Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) heard the splashing of water. He tried to enter the house, but his mother said, “Wait a minute. Don’t come in yet.” Then she got dressed and said, “You can come in now.” When He (R.A) went inside, his mother said, “I declare that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.” Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) again went to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) crying. But this time his tears were tears of joy. “I have good news, Ya Rasoolullah (S.A.W),” he said. “Allah (S.W.T) has answered your prayer and guided my mother to Islam.”

Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A) passed away in 59 AH at the age of 78 and is buried in Jannatul Baqi (Madina Shareef).