Abdullah ibn Hanzalah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا

Young Companions

ꜤAbdullāh b. Ḥanẓalah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا

Uways Yamin Attari Madani

From amongst the children fortunate to spend time in the presence of the Greatest Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, one of them was ꜤAbdullāh b. Ḥanẓalah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا.

He was born in 4 AH in Madinah. He was seven years of age when the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم passed away, yet transmitted hadith from him.  He is counted amongst the ranks of child Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم.[1]

His father’s high rank

He is the son of Ghasīl al-Malāˈikah, the Companion Ḥanẓalah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, who was martyred in Shawwāl 3 AH in the Battle of Uḥud and ritually bathed by angels.

Ḥanẓalah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ had spent the night with his wife and needed to perform ghusl. However, when call was raised to defend Islam, he responded immediately and was martyred. Due to passion for defending Islam and swiftness in responding to the call of the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he received the virtue of being washed by angels after his martyrdom. In this way, he was given the title of Ghasīl al-Malāˈikah and his progeny after him were also referred to as Banū Ghasīl al-Malāˈikah.[2]

Witnessing the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم performing ṭawāf on a camel

The moments ꜤAbdullāh b. Ḥanẓalah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا spent in the company of the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم were etched into his heart and mind.  Relating one of these memories, he stated, “I have seen the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم performing ṭawāf upon a camel. At that time, nobody was struck or pushed and there were no calls of, ‘Move out of the way.’”[3]

ꜤAbdullāh b. Ḥanẓalah and ꜤUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم

ꜤAbdullāh b. ꜤUmar رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا explained:

Some clothing was brought to ꜤUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, which he began to distribute amongst people. He came across a fine piece of clothing and placed it below his thigh (not giving it to anybody). When he mentioned my name during further distribution, I asked for him to give me the fine clothing. He replied, “By Allah! I shall give it to a man better than you, whose father is better than yours.” He then called for ꜤAbdullah b. Ḥanẓalah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ and gave it to him.[4]

Martyrdom

He was martyred in the Ḥarrah Incident in Madinah on Wednesday the 27^th Dhū al-Ḥijjah 63 AH, at the age of 59.[5]

May the mercy of Allah Almighty be upon him and may we be forgiven for his sake.

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ