Introduction: The Father’s Search for the Beloved Son
In the vast tapestry of the stories of Sahaba, few narratives are as emotionally charged and spiritually profound as that of Harithah ibn Sharahil. Long before his son, Hazrat zayd, became a pillar of the early Muslim community, Harithah was a man defined by a singular, heartbreaking quest. For twenty years, he wandered the Arabian Peninsula, his voice echoing through desert fairs with poetry that lamented the loss of his kidnapped child.
The journey of Harithah ibn Sharahil is more than just a historical account; it is a foundational lesson in the transition from tribal honor to Islamic devotion. As one of the famous Sahaba in Islam, his life serves as a bridge between the era of Jahiliyyah (ignorance) and the light of Prophetic guidance. When he finally stood before the Prophet Hazrat muhammad (peace be upon him) in Mecca, he didn’t just find his lost son—he discovered a faith that would redefine his family’s legacy forever.
Who was Harithah ibn Sharahil?
Harithah ibn Sharahil was the father of Hazrat zayd ibn Harithah, one of the most beloved companions of the Prophet (PBUH). His story is primarily one of heartbreak, search, and ultimate spiritual realization. He belonged to the tribe of Kalb, and his life took a dramatic turn when his son was kidnapped and sold into slavery as a young boy.
The Search for Hazrat zayd
For years, Harithah wandered the Arabian Peninsula, reciting poetry about his lost son and refusing to give up hope. This emotional resilience is why many consider him a significant figure when studying the famous Sahaba in Islam and their families.
Eventually, members of his tribe spotted Hazrat zayd in Mecca during the pilgrimage season. When they returned with the news, Harithah immediately set out with his brother to “ransom” his son from the Prophet (PBUH), who was then known as Al-Amin (the Trustworthy).
The Moment of Choice
One of the most touching stories of Sahaba occurred when Harithah arrived in Mecca and offered the Prophet (PBUH) any price for Hazrat zayd’s freedom.
The Prophet’s response was revolutionary for the time:
* He didn’t ask for money.
* He gave Hazrat zayd the choice to stay or leave.
* He promised that if Hazrat zayd chose his father, he could go freely without any ransom.
Hazrat zayd’s Decision
In a shocking turn of events, Hazrat zayd chose to stay with the Prophet (PBUH) over his own father. He said, “I have seen something in this man that makes me never want to leave him.” While initially devastated, Harithah witnessed the Prophet (PBUH) immediately take Hazrat zayd to the Kaaba and announce, “Witness that Hazrat zayd is my son; I inherit from him and he inherits from me.” Seeing the immense love and status his son had gained, Harithah’s heart was finally at peace.
Harithah eventually embraced Islam himself, joining the ranks of the famous Sahaba in Islam. His journey from a grieving father to a believer highlights a transition from worldly attachment to divine purpose. His lineage continued to serve Islam, as Hazrat zayd became a brilliant military commander and the only Sahabi mentioned by name in the Quran.
To understand the lifestyle of Harithah ibn Sharahil, we have to look at the stark contrast between his life as a tribal leader in the Pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) and his refined life as a father and believer within the early Muslim community.
Lifestyle Before Islam: The Tribal Aristocrat
Before the advent of Islam, Harithah’s life was defined by the desert codes of the Banu Kalb tribe. He lived a life of nomadic prestige, but one overshadowed by a singular, consuming tragedy.
1. Social Standing and Tribal Code
Harithah was a man of high status and wealth. His lifestyle revolved around:
* Camel Breeding and Herding: As a member of the Kalb tribe, his wealth was measured in livestock and his ability to navigate the harsh Syrian and Arabian deserts.
* Poetry and Mourning: In Jahili culture, poetry was the primary way to express grief. Harithah is famously known for wandering from fair to fair (like the Fair of ‘Ukaz), reciting heart-wrenching verses about his lost son, Hazrat zayd.
* The Code of Honor: His life was driven by the “Quest for Ransom.” In pre-Islamic Arabia, losing a son to kidnapping was a stain on tribal honor that could only be washed away by recovery or war.
2. The Burden of Loss
His daily existence for nearly 20 years was that of a searching father. He did not live a sedentary life; he was constantly traveling, questioning pilgrims, and offering massive sums of money to any traveler who had seen a boy matching Hazrat zayd’s description.
During the years of Hazrat zayd’s disappearance, Harithah ibn Sharahil’s lifestyle was defined by his grief. He was known to wander through the desert and seasonal fairs, reciting verses that have become a poignant part of the stories of Sahaba.
These verses capture his pre-Islamic lifestyle—one of restless searching and the deep emotional burden of a father who did not know if his son was alive or dead.
The Poetry of Heartbreak
The most famous lines attributed to Harithah reflect his despair as he questioned the wind and the travelers of the desert:
> “I weep for Hazrat zayd, not knowing what became of him.
> Is he alive, to be hoped for, or has death overtaken him?
> By Allah, I know not, though I ask of him:
> Did the level earth claim you, or the mountain’s rim?”
He continued his lament, describing how every sunset reminded him of his loss:
> “The sun reminds me of him when it rises in the east,
> And its memory returns when the daylight has ceased.
> When the winds blow, they stir up the memory of his face,
> O, how long is my grief and my wandering from place to place!”
>
Analysis of the Verses
In the context of famous Sahaba in Islam, these poems serve a specific purpose:
Historical Evidence: They prove the high social and intellectual standing of Harithah’s family, as poetry was the “register” of the Arabs.
Character Foundation: They show the depth of love in the household where Hazrat zayd was raised, making Hazrat zayd’s later choice to stay with the Prophet (PBUH) even more significant.
Humanizing History: These verses move Harithah from a historical name to a relatable father, enriching the stories of Sahaba for modern readers.
Transition to Islam
When Harithah eventually found Hazrat zayd in Mecca, he stopped reciting these poems of grief. His lifestyle shifted from the “poetry of loss” to the “devotion of faith.” He realized that while he had lost a son to slavery, he had gained a son who was a leader in a new, divine movement.
If you are using this for SEO purposes, these poems are excellent for “engagement” sections of an article, as they provide the emotional “hook” that many readers look for in stories of Sahaba.
Lifestyle After Islam: The Transition to Faith
Once Harithah found Hazrat zayd in Mecca and witnessed the character of the Prophet (PBUH), his lifestyle shifted from one of desperate searching to spiritual contentment.
1. Adoption of Islamic Ethics
Though he initially came to Mecca to “buy” his son back, Harithah’s lifestyle changed once he accepted Hazrat zayd’s choice to stay with the Prophet (PBUH).
* Simplicity: He moved away from the prideful tribalism of the Kalb and embraced the egalitarianism of the early Muslims.
* Brotherhood over Blood: He accepted a new social structure where his son was now “Hazrat zayd ibn Hazrat muhammad” (before the prohibition of adoption) and later “Hazrat zayd the Beloved of the Messenger.”
2. Quiet Devotion and Legacy
Unlike the “warrior” lifestyle of some famous Sahaba in Islam, Harithah’s post-Islam life was marked by:
* Supportive Role: He became a bridge between his powerful tribe and the new faith in Medina.
* Religious Education: His lifestyle shifted toward learning the new revelations. He watched his son become a leader, a general, and a scholar—achievements that Harithah valued more than tribal riches.
> Note: Harithah’s greatest transformation was from a man who defined himself by what he had lost (his son) to a man who defined himself by what he had found (Islam).
Conclusion: A Legacy of Love and Faith
The journey of Harithah ibn Sharahil serves as a timeless reminder that the stories of Sahaba are not just about battles and conquests, but about the profound transformation of the human heart. Harithah’s transition from a grieving tribal father to a devoted believer shows us that true peace is found not in what we possess, but in what we believe. As one of the famous Sahaba in Islam, his life honors the bond of family while prioritizing the higher calling of faith. Today, we remember him not just as the father of Hazrat zayd, but as a man whose persistence led him to the greatest truth of all.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was Harithah ibn Sharahil?
Harithah ibn Sharahil was a noble from the Banu Kalb tribe and the biological father of Hazrat zayd ibn Harithah, the beloved companion and adopted son of the Prophet Hazrat muhammad (PBUH). He is famous in the stories of Sahaba for his 20-year search for his kidnapped son.
2. How did Harithah lose his son Hazrat zayd?
Hazrat zayd was kidnapped as a young boy during a tribal raid while he was traveling with his mother to visit her family. He was subsequently sold into slavery at the market of ‘Ukaz and eventually ended up in the household of Hazrat khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA) in Mecca.
3. Did Harithah ibn Sharahil become a Muslim?
Yes. After finding his son in Mecca and witnessing the incredible character and mercy of the Prophet Hazrat muhammad (PBUH), Harithah eventually embraced Islam. He is counted among the famous Sahaba in Islam who bridged the gap between the Pre-Islamic era and the Prophetic era.
4. Why did Hazrat zayd choose the Prophet (PBUH) over his father Harithah?
When Harithah offered a ransom for Hazrat zayd, the Prophet (PBUH) gave Hazrat zayd the choice to leave freely. Hazrat zayd chose to stay, famously stating that he had seen such noble qualities in the Prophet (PBUH) that he could never prefer anyone else over him—not even his own father.
5. What tribe did Harithah ibn Sharahil belong to?
He belonged to the Banu Kalb, a powerful and influential Arab tribe located primarily in the northern Arabian Peninsula and the Syrian desert..
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