Conversion and Persecution of Khabbab ibn al-Aratt

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt, a blacksmith and slave of Umm Anmar, was among the early converts to Islam. He endured some of the most severe persecution of the Meccan period. His mistress would heat iron rods and press them against his back to force him to renounce his faith, but he refused. The Quraysh would drag him over burning coals until the fat of his back extinguished them. Years later in Medina, he showed the scars on his back to Umar ibn al-Khattab during his caliphate. He once came to the Prophet and complained about the severity of persecution, and the Prophet responded by telling him of those before them who were sawn in half yet did not renounce their faith, adding: 'By Allah, Allah will complete this matter until a rider travels from Sana'a to Hadramawt fearing nothing but Allah and the wolf for his sheep.'