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strong faith. Such a man was guided by Allah, educated by the Prophet (PBUH), and enlightened by
Qur'aan.
(13)
HUDHAIFAH IBN AL-YAMMAAN
The Enemy of Hypocrisy, The Friend of Frankness
The people of Madaa`in came out in great numbers to welcome their new governor chosen by their
Caliph `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). They came out preceded by their interest in that graceful
Companion. They had heard much about his good conduct, his piety, and more so about his great
achievement in the conquest of Iraq.
While they were waiting for the coming procession, they saw before them a bright fellow riding on
a donkey with an old saddle. The man was riding with his legs hanging and holding a loaf of bread and
some salt in his hands, and eating and chewing his food. When he came in the midst of the people and
they discovered he was Hudhaifah lbn Al-Yammaan, the expected governor, they were about to lose their
wits! But why the surprise? Who did they expect the choice of `Umar would be ? In fact, they were not to
blame. Their countries had not been accustomed since Persian days or even before to having rulers of
with such graceful style.
Hudhaifah was surrounded and welcomed by numerous people. When he saw that they were gazing
at him as if expecting a speech, he looked at them closely and said, "Beware of sedition!" They asked,
"What is sedition, Abu Abd Allah?" "The gates of rulers," he said. `When one of you is admitted to the
presence of the ruler or governor and falsely agrees with what he says and commends him for what he
has not done."
It was a wonderful start, as much as it was surprising. People at once remembered what they had
heard about their new governor and that he did not detest anything in the whole world as much as he
detested and scorned hypocrisy. Such a beginning was the truest expression concerning the character of
the new governor and his way of ruling and governing.
As a matter of fact, Hudhaifah lbn Al-Yammaan was a man who came to life equipped with a unique
characteristic in detesting hypocrisy and in having the remarkable capability to detect it in its distant,
concealed places. He and his brother safwaan came to the Prophet (PBUH) accompanied by their father
and all embraced Islam. He added more sharpness and polish to his inborn qualities from the time he
embraced a powerful, clean, brave, and straightforward religion which scorns cowardice, hypocrisy, and
lies. Moreover, he learned his manners at the hands of the Messenger (PBUH) who was as clear as the
glorious morning light. Nothing was hidden in his life nor in his inner self. He was truthful and
trustworthy. He liked the strong in righteousness and detested those who were not straightforward, i.e.
the hypocrites and deceivers. Therefore, there was no realm where his talent could bloom and blossom
more than it did under the guidance of faith at the hands of the Messenger and among that generation of
his great Companions. Verily, his talent grew and developed, and he specialized in reading faces and
probing into the inner selves. At a glance he could easily read faces and know the secret of the hidden
depths and concealed inner mysteries. He attained what he wanted in that realm to the extent that the
inspired, intelligent, and resourceful Caliph `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) used to ask
Hudhaifah's opinion and insight in selecting and knowing men.