Tamim al-Dari

From Christian to Companion

Tamim ad-Dari was a Christian of the tribe of al-Dar. When still a polytheist’s neighbour in Syria, a jinn warned him (in the formula then current among the Arabs) that the time of seeking refuge with the jinn had passed: the jinn had themselves heard the Prophet ﷺ recite the Qur’an at Hajun and were no longer permitted to eavesdrop on the heavens. Tamim journeyed to the Prophet ﷺ and embraced Islam. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 3 · pp. 577 — Kandhlawi — a jinn directs Tamim al-Dari to the Prophet; he comes and embraces Islam.

Narrator of the Jassasa

Tamim transmitted to the Prophet ﷺ — and the Prophet ﷺ in turn related to the Companions — the well-known account of the men cast onto an island, where they met the Jassasa, who led them to the chained Dajjal awaiting his hour. The Prophet ﷺ judged Tamim’s report truthful, and so the hadith of the Jassasa is among the proofs of the Dajjal’s existence.

Sahih Muslim 2942a · Book 54 (Trials and Portents), Hadith 147 · narrated through Tamim al-Dari

The Fire of the Harra

In the caliphate of Umar, a fire issued from the volcanic Harra outside Madinah, and Umar insisted Tamim deal with it. He went out and, by Allah’s permission, drove the fire back with his bare hands until it returned into the crevice from which it had come; Umar said, “He who has seen this is not as he who has not.” 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 3 · pp. 607–608 — Kandhlawi — Tamim drives a fire from the Harra back into its crevice with his hands; Umar's remark. He served the Ummah long, and died in Bayt al-Maqdis.