Abu Muslim al-Khawlani

Religious leader (died 684)

Abu Muslim Al Khawlani (أبو مسلم الخولاني) (died 684) was a well known tabi'i (plural: taba'een) and a prominent religious figure in Damascus, Syria. He was one of the 'Eight Ascetics,' who also included Amir ibn Abd al Qays, Uways al Qarani, Al Rabi ibn Khuthaym, al Aswad ibn Yazid, Masruq ibn al Ajda', Sufyan al Thawri ibn Said and Hasan al Basri.

Sheikh 'Aa'id Abdullah al Qarni said that Al Aswad al `Ansi, a man in Yemen who claimed prophethood, asked Abu Muslim to believe in him and testify that he is a messenger. Abu Muslim told him: "I can't hear a thing." Al Aswad al `Ansi prepared firewood and threw him in fire. Abu Muslim said: "Hasbuna'Llah wa ni`mal wakeel ("Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best Protector", words that Muslims believe Ibrahim (Abraham) said when he was thrown in fire, so God made the fire cool and safe for him. Al ‘Ansi’s advisors told him that if he did not banish Abu Muslim from Yemen, he would be a source of Fitnah for his followers. So, Abu Muslim was ordered to leave the land. He travelled to Al Madeenah and upon arriving there, he dismounted from his camel and entered the Masjid to perform prayer. ‘Umar saw him, so he approached this stranger and said, “Where are you from?” Abu Muslim said, “Yemen.” ‘Umar inquired, "Tell me about the man whom the liar threw into the fire?" Abu Muslim said, “His name is ‘Abdullaah ibn Thawb.” ‘Umar said, “Tell me, by Allaah, are you him?” He replied, “By Allaah, yes!” ‘Umar embraced him with tearful eyes then seated him between him and Abu Bakr and said, “Praise be to Allaah who did not take my soul until I saw a man from the nation of Muhammad to whom was done what was done to Ibraaheem Al Khaleel.’”