Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib

Sariyyat BanŪ-tayy

After the conquest of Makkah the idols of the Ka`bah had been destroyed. During the ghazwat al-Ta’if, the idols of Banū-Thaqif and Banū-Hawazin too were destroyed. But those of Banū-tay were still intact. Among these idols was one, by name of Fils that was the center of their adulation! The Prophet (a.s) determined to destroy it too. He deputed `Ali (a.s) during the month of Rabi` II, 9 A.H. towards the habitations of Banū-tay to destroy the idols there and invite the people to the Right Path. `Ali (a.s) started for the campaign with a contingent of 150 men. The Chief of Banū-tay, `Adi ibn Hatam went toward Syria along with his family and children, when he heard of the arrival of the Muslim contingent. `Ali (a.s) attacked the neighborhood of Banū-Hatam and destroyed their idol. From that place, he got three expensive armors and three swords. Among these swords were Rasūb and Mukhazzam that were very famous swords throughout Arabia for their excellent quality which were offered to the idols by al-Harith ibn Abi-Shimr. Besides these, lot of other valuables and livestock were obtained from there. `Ali (a.s) distributed some of the booty to the men in the contingent and took the rest and the captives to al-Madinah. Among the captives, there was Safanah, the daughter of the legendary Hatam, who was accommodated at a place near the mosque where captive women were generally kept. During those days, the Prophet (a.s) passed that way when Safanah complained that her father was dead and there was none to take care of her. She pleaded to be released and said that Allah will reward him for the kindness. The Prophet (a.s) asked who she was. She said that she was the sister of `Adi ibn Hatam. The Prophet (a.s) asked her if she was the sister of the same `Adi ibn Hatam who fled from Allah and His Prophet (a.s). Saying this, he went his way. The next day when he passed that way, Safanah pleaded again and he gave the same reply! Safanah thought that there was no hope left for her release! The third time when the Prophet (a.s) passed that way, she had no courage to renew her appeal. While she was thinking whether to say anything or not, someone from behind the Prophet (a.s) prompted her to appeal to the Prophet (a.s) for her release. She took courage in her hands, stood up and said, “O Prophet of Allah (a.s)! Please do not make me a subject of ridicule among my people! I

am the daughter of the Chief of Banū-tay, Hatam! My father was very charitable His wont was to release the captives, feed the poor and help the needy!” The Prophet (a.s) ordered that she be released forthwith because she was the daughter of a person who was gentle, kind and held high morals. He also told Safanah to stay in al-Madinah until a dependable escort was arranged to send he safely to her people. Safanah asked the people about the identity of the person who prompted her to speak with the Prophet (a.s). They informed her that he was the Prophet’s cousin `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s). After sometime, a caravan from Banū-Khuza`ah came to al-Madinah. Safanah requested the Prophet (a.s) to send her with them. The Prophet (a.s) made good arrangements for her journey and she safely reached her brother `Adi Bin Hatam in Syria.

Safanah complained to her brother `Adi that he abandoned her alone and fled. She also told him about `Ali (a.s) on whose prompting she could accomplish her release from captivity. She also told him about the good treatment meted out by the Prophet (a.s) to her. She very strongly suggested to `Adi to go to the presence of the Prophet (a.s) at the earliest that he will get the honor of joining the ranks of the people who have adopted the Right Path. `Adi says that he liked the suggestion and therefore headed for al-Madinah. When he went to the presence of the Prophet (a.s) in the al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Holy Prophet’s Mosque), he told him that he was `Adi ibn Hatam. The Prophet (a.s) was very pleased to meet him and asked him to accompany him home. On the way, they met an old woman and heard her complaints. `Adi thought that the Prophet (a.s) had not the slightest element of pride and conceit for his position. When they reached the Prophet’s home, he spread his carpet for `Adi to sit. And he squatted on the bare ground. `Adi again thought that this cannot be the way of royalty! `Adi was still indecisive in his mind when the Prophet (a.s) said, “O `Adi! You take a fourth of the booty of war, but in your Christian Faith this is not permissible! Perhaps you are shy of our Faith because there is poverty among our people and there are lots of enemies in our environment! But soon there will be such affluence here that even on searching there will be scarcity of takers for the wealth! Women will then visit the House of Allah all alone fearlessly! You will learn that the White Palace of Babylon has been annexed by the Muslims!” `Adi witnessed with his own eyes the excellent character and manners of the Prophet (a.s) and heard his talk that went straight to his heart! He embraced Islam at the same auspicious moment and became an ardent companion of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) and was on his side during the campaigns of Jamal, Siffin and Nahrawan.