Guiding Stars - Hakim Bin Hazm

“My companions are like the stars. Whichever of them you follow, You will be rightly guided.”

History has recorded that he is the only person who was born inside the Kaa'ba itself. Together with a group of friends, his mother had gone inside this ancient house to inspect it. On that particular day, it was open because of a festive occasion. She was pregnant an d labour pains suddenly gripped her. She was unable to leave the Kaa'ba. A leather mat was brought before her, and she gave birth. The child was named Hakim. His father was Hazm, who was the son of Khuwayled. Hakim was therefore the nephew of the lady Khadija , the daughter of Khuwayled. May Allah be pleased with her.

Hakim grew up in a wealthy and noble family which enjoyed a high status in Makkah society. He was also an intelligent and well-mannered person who was well respected by his people. He was held in such esteem that he was given the responsibility of the ‘RIFAADAH', which involved giving assistance to the needy and those who had lost their properties during the season of pilgrimage. He would often help the needy from his own resources.

Hakim was a very close friend of the Prophet . Even though he was five years older than the Prophet , he used to spend his time talking and enjoying hours of pleasant companionship. This relationship was further strengthened when the Prophet married his aunt, Khadija Bint Khuwayled.

What is truly amazing is that in spite of the close relationship, Hakim did not become a Muslim until the Conquest of Makkah. Just as we are astonished at the late acceptance of Islam, he himself later in life was also amazed. His son once saw him shedding tears after his acceptance of Islam. His son asked, “Why are you weeping, my father?” “Many things cause me to weep, my dear son. The most grievous is the time it took me to become a Muslim.”

The Prophet himself was puzzled. How could Islam remain hidden from a man like Hakim?

On the night of liberation, he said to his companions, “There are four people in Makkah whom I consider to be above having any dealing with Shirk (polytheism) and I would dearly like them to accept Islam.” “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?”() asked the companions. “Attab ibn Usayd, Jubair ibn Muttim, Hakim ibn Hazm and Suhail ibn Amir.” replied the Prophet . By the grace of Allah, they all became Muslims.

When the Prophet entered Makkah to liberate the city from the ways of ignorance and immorality, he ordered his herald to say, “Whosoever declares that there is no God but Allah alone, that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah, he is safe. Whosoever sits in the Kaa'ba and lays down his weapons, he is safe. Whoever enters the house of Abu-Sufyan, he is safe. Whosoever enters the house of Hakim ibn Hazm, he is safe….”

Hakim embraced Islam wholeheartedly. He vowed to himself that he would atone to whatever he had done during his Jahilliyah days (days of ignorance). He owned the Daran Nadwah, an important and historic building in Makkah, where the Quraysh held their conferences. Hakim decided to get rid of it, so he sold the building for one hundred thousand dirhams. He then performed Hajj after becoming a Muslim. He took with him one hundred fine camels and sacrificed them all in order to achieve nearness to God.

The life of Hakim ibn Hazm was a rich storehouse of knowledge, guidance and inspiration.

May Allah Taa'la give us the ability to follow Islam and gain the treasure of this world and more importantly in the Hereafter. Ameen.