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Abu Hurairah (RA): The “Father of the Kitten” Who Became Islam’s Most Prolific Hadith Narrator
Abu Hurayra (RA): “Father of the Kitten” is one of the most prominent companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), known for narrating a vast number of Hadiths found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. What makes his story fascinating is that he spent less than three years in the company of the Prophet (PBUH), yet he became one of the most prolific narrators of Hadith. Additionally, his name, which means “Father of the Kitten,” carries an interesting backstory that many people are unaware of. This article explores these intriguing aspects of Abu Hurairah’s life, his dedication to preserving the Prophet’s teachings, and the reasons behind his unique name.
1. The Meaning Behind His Name: Abu Hurayra (RA):”Father of the Kitten”
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Although Abu Hurayra’s real name was Abd al-Rahman ibn Sakhr Al-Dawsi Al-Yamani, he was most famously known by his nickname, Abu Hurayra, which means “Father of the Kitten.”
What Made Him Abu Hurayra (“Father of the Kitten”)?
His passion for cats inspired the name. He reportedly carried a small kitten, known as hurairah in Arabic, in his pocket or sleeve. The Prophet (PBUH) reportedly noticed the animal and gave him this loving moniker.
Narrated by Abu Hurayra himself:
Abu Hurayra himself narrates: “They (his friends) exclaim, ‘O Abu Hurayra (the kitten’s father)!'” When the Prophet (PBUH) was speaking, I used to hold a kitten in my sleeve and care for it. (Expressed by Ibn Hajar in Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah.
His real name was virtually forgotten in Islamic history due to the popularity of this nickname.
Despite having a brief relationship with the Prophet (PBUH), he made a significant contribution to hadith.
Abu Hurayra (RA) only spent roughly three years with the Prophet (PBUH) prior to his death in 11 AH (632 CE), having converted to Islam during the Battle of Khaybar in 7 AH (628 CE). He narrated 5,374 hadiths, more than any other companion, despite this brief time.
How Could He Tell So Many Hadiths in So Little Time?
Abu Hurayra’s remarkable Hadith preservation was influenced by a number of factors:
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His Commitment to Remaining Near the Prophet (PBUH)
Abu Hurayra (RA) spent a large portion of his early companionship alone and committed himself to remaining with the Prophet (PBUH) at all times, in contrast to many of his companions who had families, businesses, or military responsibilities.
1.Abu Hurayra said:
People say that I narrate too many Hadiths, but I was a poor man who stayed close to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with a full stomach, while the Ansar were busy with their properties and the Muhajireen were busy in the markets,” stated Abu Hurayra. (Bukhari, Sahih 118).
2. His Outstanding Recollection (Exceptional Memory).
Once, the Prophet (PBUH) offered a unique prayer to help him remember things:
“I hear a lot of Hadiths from you, O Messenger of Allah, but I forget them.” In response, the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Spread your garment.” He gestured with his hands as though filling it after I spread it, and then he said, “Now gather it.” After gathering it, I had a perfect memory of everything. (Bukhari’s Sahih 119)
According to some scholars, writing down hadith
Although oral transmission was the norm at the time, some historians speculate that Abu Hurayra (RA) may have recorded Hadiths.
3. Rebuttal and Criticism of His Hadith Interpretation
Some questioned Abu Hurayra’s credibility because of the enormous volume of hadiths he recounted. Scholars and other friends, however, stood up for him:
After questioning a Hadith he recounted, Aisha (RA) later confirmed his veracity.
Scholars like Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, as well as companions like Abdullah ibn Umar (RA), incorporated his narrations into their reliable compilations.
What Makes His Hadiths Reliable?
As stated above, the Prophet made a dua for his memory.
In order to avoid errors, he refrained from narrating Hadiths during the Prophet’s lifetime and only did so after his death.
Scholarly Verification: His chains of narration were thoroughly verified by Hadith scholars.
4. His Legacy and Later Life
Following the passing of the Prophet (PBUH), Abu Hurairah (RA) was a teacher in Medina and later a governor of Bahrain during the caliphate of Umar (RA). At the age of 78, he died in 59 AH (678 CE).
Important Lessons Learned from His Life:
Short companionship does not limit one’s contribution to Islam.
Sincerity and dedication can result in a wealth of knowledge.
Allah selects individuals for various positions in upholding the Deen.
Conclusion
One of the Prophet’s (PBUH) most intriguing companions is still Abu Hurayra (RA)“Father of the Kitten”. He is a key figure in Islamic history because of his unusual name, his brief but significant friendship, and his unparalleled contribution to Hadith sciences. His life teaches us that one’s legacy in serving Islam is determined by sincerity and dedication, not just time.
References:
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- Sahih Bukhari – Book of Knowledge, Hadith 118-119
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- Sahih Muslim – Multiple narrations by Abu Hurairah
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- Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah – Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani
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- Tahdhib al-Tahdhib – Ibn Hajar (Biography of Abu Hurairah)
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- Siyar A’lam al-Nubala – Al-Dhahabi
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: “Abu Hurairah” means “Father of the Kitten” in Arabic. People frequently observed him caring for a small cat (Hurairah), which he wore on his sleeve, earning him this moniker. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) affectionately referred to him by this moniker.
Answer: Abu Hurairah (RA) joined Islam in 7 AH (628 CE) and resided with the Prophet (PBUH) for almost three years before his death in 11 AH (632 CE). Despite this brief period, he recounted approximately 5,000 hadiths.
His true name was Abd al-Rahman ibn Sakhr Al-Dawsi Al-Yamani, but he was better known by his nickname, Abu Hurairah, and is rarely referenced in historical texts.