Overview of Abu Quhafa
Abu Quhafa is known as ‘Uthman bin ‘Amir bin ‘Amr bin Ka’b bin Sa’d bin Tim bin Murrah bin Ka’b. His mother was Qutaylah bint Adah bin Riyah, tracing his lineage back to ‘Adi bin Ka’b. Notably, his ancestry intersects with that of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at Murrah bin Ka’b bin Lu’ay.
Abu Quhafa’s Position on the Day of the Conquest
According to Ibn Hisham’s accounts in his biography, Abu Quhafa did not embrace Islam until the day of the Conquest of Mecca. He was an elderly man, his hair completely white due to old age, resembling a severe case of graying. Sensing the approach of the Islamic conquest army, he instructed one of his granddaughters to accompany him to the summit of Mount Abu Qubays, a prominent mountain overlooking Mecca. She informed him that a large army was advancing toward the city, while he was visually impaired. As he attempted to return to his home, the conquest army had already entered Mecca. Subsequently, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq brought his father, Abu Quhafa, to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Upon seeing the two, the Prophet remarked to Abu Bakr, “Would you not have left the old man in his house until I could come to him?” To this, Abu Bakr replied, “O Messenger of Allah, he is more deserving to come to you than you to go to him.” The Prophet called Abu Quhafa, who accepted Islam and was instructed to dye his hair to conceal its whiteness.
Aspects of Abu Quhafa’s Life
Abu Quhafa resided in Mecca throughout his life and did not partake in the migration. Following the passing of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Abu Quhafa inherited one-sixth of his estate but chose to return this inheritance to Abu Bakr’s children. He passed away in Mecca at the age of ninety-seven during the month of Muharram in the fourteenth year of the Hijra, and he had become blind in his later years.