Tamim ibn Dous ad Daari accepted Islam just a year before the Prophet (sa) passed away. Searching for truth, he came to Madinah and settled there to become one of the most highly respected companions of the Prophet (sa).
The Wealthy Scholar
Tamim ad Dari (rta) was a Christian who lived in the Al Khaleel area of modern day Palestine. At that time, it was under the control of the Roman Empire. He was a highly literate and well-read practicing Christian with a scholarly interest in the Torah and Bible. As a wealthy, well-travelled merchant, he interacted with the Makkan Arab merchants as well and this was how he heard about the Prophet Muhammad (sa).
Search for Truth
Initially, Tamim (rta) thought that Islam was a form of paganism, but then he realized that Muhammad (sa) was a descendant of Ibrahim (as) who affirmed Jesus, unlike the Jews of Madinah. He also learnt that Muhammad (sa) affirmed both the Torah and Bible too.
Tamim (rta) himself witnessed the theological and political fragmentation of Christianity. Like Salman al Farsi (rta), in his quest for Divine Guidance, Tamim (rta) had asked a rabbi whom he should follow. The rabbi told him of the signs of a prophet to come and admitted that the Jews denied Jesus. Tamim (rta) then had a discussion with a priest who, also admitted that they had strayed away from the ways of Isa (as).
Near his hometown of Al Khaleel, Tamim (rta) observed people who would go to the abandoned valleys and pray and communicate with the Jinn. One day a Jinn warned them to stop seeking refuge in the Jinn and instead seek the guidance of the Prophet who had completely changed the ‘Akhbaar’ -news. Thus, Tamim (rta) made his way to Madinah with ten men, including his brother Abu hind ad-Daari, in the Year of the Delegations, 9 AH.
A Disturbing Encounter with Dajjaal
Tamim (rta) and his companions travelled by boat and faced stormy seas for a month. Finally, they were able to land on a deserted island where they met a terrifying, hairy beast that spoke to them and guided them to a chained man in a monastery on the island.
When Tamim (rta) reached Madinah, he accepted Islam and then Tamim (rta) recounted the entire surreal experience to the Prophet (sa). The Prophet (sa) immediately had the call for prayer announced and narrated this episode to the Muslims from his pulpit.
This famous Hadith narrated by Fatima bint Qais (rta) is called the Hadith of the Jassasah and it identifies the mysterious man as the Dajjaal. This Dajjaal pointed out certain signs of the Day of Judgment and referred to the Prophet (sa) as ‘unlettered’. His conversation reaffirmed the Prophet’s (sa) warnings about the Dajjaal, so the Messenger (sa) shared it with his Ummah.
The Gift of Light
Tamim (rta) came laden with gifts for the Prophet (sa). He brought an Arabian horse, a beautiful cloak and a bottle of wine. The People of the Book had made wine Halal, so the Prophet (sa) accepted all the other gifts except the bottle of wine, explaining that Allah (swt) had forbidden it.
Tamim (rta) also brought five slaves. The Prophet (sa) wanted to free them, so he asked permission to free them himself and did so instantly. The most stunning gift, however, that earned Tamim (rta) the Prophet’s (sa) Dua, were oil lamps for the Masjid.
Tamim (rta) is credited with lighting up the Masjid Nabawi for the first time. The Prophet (sa) was overjoyed and he prayed to Allah (swt) to grant Tamim (rta) Light on the Day of Judgment. One of the freed slaves took charge of lighting the lamps and the Prophet (sa) changed this slave’s name to “Siraj” meaning ‘the light.’
The Quickest Memorizer of the Quran
Tamim (rta) spent only one year as the Prophet’s (sa) companion but because of his scholarly bent of mind, he developed such an understanding of the Holy Quran, he became an Imam of the other companions.
Tamim (rta) embodied the Hadith he is most well-known for narrating about religion being sincerity to Allah (swt), His Book, His Messenger (sa), to the leaders of the Muslims and to the common Muslim.
He is reported to have been the quickest to memorize the Quran and to recite it beautifully. He devoted himself to the night prayer and completed the Quran every seven days. Ibn Sireen records him as amongst those companions who finished the entire Quran in a single Rakah. Once he spent the whole night reciting and crying over a single verse of Surah Jathiya.
Tamim (rta) was known for his charity and always sought ways to benefit others. He helped light the Masjid, he met with different delegations because of his scholarship, and he assisted the new converts. He once questioned the Prophet (sa) about the rewards of preaching to the People of the Book because he understood their language and religion.
Verse of Surah Al Maida was revealed about Tamim (rta) who regretted accidentally acquiring a bowl during his pre-Islam trade and wanted to return it to its rightful owner.
Praised by the Prophet (sa)
The Prophet (sa) said that if he had had another daughter, he would have married her to Tamim (rta). Al Haaris (rta), the Prophet’s (sa) cousin, overheard this and offered his daughter instead. Abu Bakr (rta) also married his sister to Tamim (rta).
Eminence after the Prophet (sa)
When someone would want to repent, Tamim (rta) would bring him to the Masjid and teach him and encourage him to pray. During his Caliphate, Omar (rta) sent Muawiya ibn Harmal to ‘the best of the believers’, Tamim (rta), because Muawaiya wanted to repent supporting Musailimah the Liar.
Omar (rta) gave Tamim (rta) permission to teach at the pulpit, including before the Friday Khutbah. He was also appointed as one of the two Imams of Taraweeh, the other being Ubaii ibn Kaab (rta). Anas bin Malik (rta) narrates that he demonstrated the Prophetic injunction to beautify oneself for prayer by purchasing a special garment for 1000 Dirhams specifically for prayers and another garment specially for what he hoped would be the Night of Power.
His Sincerity and Self-Discipline
Once, a Tabi’ee asked him how much Quran Tamim (rta) recited every night. Tamim (rta) responded with anger- he would prefer to pray just the three Rakah of Witr and not tell anyone about it rather than reciting the Quran all night and then telling people about it.
The Tabi’ee was visibly upset, for he had only meant to seek guidance. So Tamim (rta) explained that such a query would not benefit him- he would either despair or he would be disappointed. Prayer and Quran’s recitation was personal between Allah (swt) his servant.
Ibn Dhahabi reports that one night, Tamim (rta) missed his Tahajjud so he vowed to spend an entire year praying Tahjjud as self- discipline.
His Promised Land
Confident in Allah’s (swt) promise of victory, Tamim (rta) had requested the Prophet (sa) a portion of land in Bethlehem when Islam conquers it. Omar (rta) granted him this land after the conquest of Jerusalem but bade him never to sell it.
During the unrest in Uthman’s (rta) Caliphate, Tamim (rta) left Madinah and returned to Palestine. He died there in 40 AH. His land remains in the hands of his descendants as a Waqf. The neglected grave of Tamim ad Dari (rta) is now in an illegal settlement in Jibreen- he had met the Dajjaal and his own land suffers the greatest treachery and cruelty.
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