64/76. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4394 — Adi bin Hatim’s Steadfastness
The delegation of Taiy’
Hadith About Loyalty: Adi bin Hatim and Steadfast Faith
Sahih Bukhari : 4394
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4394
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ حُرَيْثٍ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ حَاتِمٍ، قَالَ أَتَيْنَا عُمَرَ فِي وَفْدٍ، فَجَعَلَ يَدْعُو رَجُلاً رَجُلاً وَيُسَمِّيهِمْ فَقُلْتُ أَمَا تَعْرِفُنِي يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ بَلَى، أَسْلَمْتَ إِذْ كَفَرُوا، وَأَقْبَلْتَ إِذْ أَدْبَرُوا، وَوَفَيْتَ إِذْ غَدَرُوا، وَعَرَفْتَ إِذْ أَنْكَرُوا. فَقَالَ عَدِيٌّ فَلاَ أُبَالِي إِذًا.
`Adi bin Hatim Narrated from:
We came to `Umar in a delegation (during his rule). He started calling the men one by one, calling each by his name. (As he did not call me early) I said to him. "Don't you know me, O chief of the Believers?" He said, "Yes, you embraced Islam when they (i.e. your people) disbelieved; you have come (to the Truth) when they ran away; you fulfilled your promises when they broke theirs; and you recognized it (i.e. the Truth of Islam) when they denied it." On that, `Adi said, "I therefore don't care."
[1] Since 'Umar رضي الله عنه has such a high opinion about 'Adī, 'Adī does not care if he is not called before the others.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4394In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 417USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 677
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4394
This hadith about loyalty records a moment between Umar and Adi bin Hatim. Umar was calling men one by one in a delegation. When Adi asked if Umar knew him, Umar answered with praise. He said Adi accepted Islam when his people disbelieved, came forward when they turned away, fulfilled promises when they broke theirs, and recognized the truth when they denied it. Adi then said he did not care, meaning the praise from Umar was enough for him in that setting. The hadith teaches that loyalty, promise-keeping, and standing for truth are remembered. It also shows that a good record can matter more than being called first.
What we learn from this hadith
- Steadfastness in faith is honored in this narration.
- Keeping promises is mentioned as a praiseworthy trait.
- Recognizing truth when others deny it is a mark of strength.
- A person’s known record can bring comfort even when he is not given first place.
