Khabbab Ibn Al-Aratt - Last Part of His Life

Last Part of His Life

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, one of the major authorities on matters related to the Qur'an, would sometimes seek Khabbab's advice and opinion.

In the last phase of his life, Khabbab was blessed with wealth such as he had never before dreamed of. He was well known for his generosity.

When he received a reasonable pension from the Khalifah (Caliph), he placed the money in a part of his house that was known to the poor and the needy and did not secure it in any way. Those in need would come and take what they needed without seeking any permission or asking any questions. He did so since he felt great fear for God and accountability to God for what he did with his wealth.

A group of Sahaba related that they visited Khabbab when he was sick. In Sahi Bukhari, one of the is reported to say:

Qays ibn Abi Hazim said, "We visited Khabbab ibn al-Aratt when he was ill and he had been cupped seven times. He said, 'Our companions who went before us have gone and this world did not cause them any decrease. We have acquired so much that the only way to spend it is in constructing buildings. If it were not that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had forbidden us to pray for death, I would have prayed for it.' Then we came to him again when he was repairing one of his walls and he said, 'A Muslim is rewarded for everything he spends except for what he invests in buildings.'"

In another version is he reported to say:

"In this place there are eighty thousand dirhams. By God, I have never secured it any way and I have not barred anyone in need from it." He started weeping and they asked why he was weeping.

He said "I weep because my companions have died and they did not obtain any such reward in this world. I have lived on and have acquired this wealth and I fear that this will be the only reward for my deeds."

He died in Ali ibn Abu Talib's Khilafat (Caliphate) and soon after Ali stood at his grave and said:

"May God have mercy on Khabbab. He accepted Islam wholeheartedly. He performed Hijra willingly. He lived as a Mujahid and God shall not withhold the reward of one who has done good."