Adi ibn Hatim al-Ta’i [radiyallahu anh]

Adi ibn Hatim was the chief of the Tayy tribe, one of the most prominent tribes in the Hijaz region. His father, Hatim, was famed for his generosity, to the extent that his name became a byword for generosity itself, as in the saying, "As generous as Hatim." Before embracing Islam, Adi was a fierce enemy of it, working tirelessly to keep his tribe as distant from Islam as possible. He followed a religion called "Rakusiyah," a mixture of Christianity and Zoroastrianism.

It was only after the age of fifty that Adi accepted Islam, later participating in pivotal battles such as Qadisiyyah, Jamal, and Siffin. His love for Ali (radiyallahu anh) ran deep, as it was through him that Adi was introduced to Islam. During Ali’s caliphate, Adi settled in Kufa, where he eventually passed away. 

May Allah be pleased with him.

***

Adi himself narrated the story of how he came to know Islam:

After his father’s death, Adi (radiyallahu anh) succeeded him as the leader of his tribe. He would keep one-fourth of the spoils of war for himself—a practice contrary to both his religion and Arab customs. When the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) began preaching Islam, Adi (radiyallahu anh) disliked the idea of someone emerging as a leader superior to himself, and he became an adversary of Islam. Without ever meeting the Prophet or witnessing his character firsthand, he harbored anger based solely on what he heard, dismissing Islam as the religion of slaves. His disdain kept him from Islam for twenty years.

Adi (radiyallahu anh) described his journey to Islam:

"I despised the Messenger of Allah and Islam, yet Islam continued to spread, and the number of Muslims grew daily. The Muslim forces and expeditions moved throughout the Arabian lands. Realizing where this might lead, I told my servant, 'Go and select the healthiest and easiest-to-control camels and tie them close by. If you hear of Muhammad’s forces or any of his expeditions entering our land, inform me immediately.'

One day, my servant came to me in great haste, saying, ‘Master, if you intend to do what you planned when Muhammad’s forces entered our land, the time is now!’ I asked, ‘Why, what has happened?’ He replied, ‘I saw horsemen bearing flags, banners, and lances on so-and-so’s lands. When I asked who they were, they said, “Muhammad’s army.”’ I commanded him, ‘Bring the camels I had prepared immediately.’

After sending the servant off, I gathered my relatives, instructing them to prepare to flee from the Muslim forces. Time was short, and we needed to reach Syria, where those who shared our beliefs resided. In the haste of our departure, I could not reach all my family. As the Muslim army approached, the danger grew, and eventually, we left, leaving some relatives behind. My sister, whom I could not contact, was among those left behind and was captured by the Muslims.

I later learned that she, along with other captives, was brought before Muhammad. When she saw him, she said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, my father has passed, my kin have abandoned me. Treat me with generosity, and may Allah reward you with generosity!’ The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) asked, ‘Who is your kin who fled?’ She replied, ‘My brother, Adi ibn Hatim.’ The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) then remarked, ‘The man who fled from Allah and His Messenger?’ He then walked away.

The following day, my sister repeated her plea, but the result was the same. After a few days, as she began to lose hope, one of the men close to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) signaled to her to ask once more. When she repeated her request, the Prophet accepted. He provided her with food, clothing, a mount, and an escort to guide her to Syria.

When my sister arrived, I went out to meet her. She reproached me, saying, ‘You coward! You abandoned your family and fled!’ I calmed her with gentle words, and she recounted her encounter with the Prophet, urging me to go to him and accept Islam.

When I reached Medina, I entered the mosque to meet the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). As I greeted those present, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) asked, ‘Who are you?’ When I identified myself, he rose, took me by the hand, and led me out of the mosque. Along the way, an elderly woman with a young child stopped him, seeking his help. He listened to her concerns patiently and addressed her needs. I thought to myself, ‘By Allah, this man is not a king.’

After dealing with the woman’s request, the Prophet took my hand once more and led me to his home. Upon entering, he offered me a cushion made of woven palm fiber, saying, ‘Sit on this.’ I replied, ‘No, you should sit on it.’ When he insisted, I sat, and he seated himself on the bare floor, as there was no other furniture in the house. Again, I thought to myself, ‘By Allah, this man is not a king.’

He then began to speak to me: ‘Adi, are you not of the Rakusiyah faith, a mixture of Christianity and Zoroastrianism?’ I answered, ‘Yes, I am.’ He continued, ‘And do you not take one-fourth of your tribe’s spoils, even though it is prohibited by your own religion?’ I admitted, ‘Yes, I do.’ At that moment, I knew that he was indeed a Prophet sent by Allah.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) then said, ‘O Adi, perhaps what keeps you from Islam is seeing the poverty among Muslims. But by Allah, a time will come when wealth will be so abundant that no one will need charity. Perhaps you are deterred by the small numbers of Muslims and the many enemies they face. But by Allah, a time will come when a woman will travel from al-Hira to the Kaaba without fearing anyone but Allah. Or perhaps it is that you do not see a Muslim king. But by Allah, a time will come when the treasures of Persia will belong to the Muslims.’

I asked, ‘You mean the treasure of Kisra ibn Hormuz, the Persian king?’ The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, ‘Yes, Kisra ibn Hormuz.’

Adi ibn Hatim (radiyallahu anh) then said: ‘At that moment, I wholeheartedly submitted and recited the testimony of faith.’”