Habib al-Najjar: The Man Who Said “If Only My People Knew”
One of the most moving stories in the Quran about a simple man whose faith was immortalized in the Holy Book
One of the most moving stories in the Quran is that of Habib al-Najjar, a simple man about whom we don’t know much, but Allah immortalized his name and stance in His Holy Book until the Day of Judgment.
This man is mentioned in Surah Ya-Sin without his name being stated:
“And there came from the farthest part of the city a man, running.”
(Quran 36:20)
However, most scholars say his name was Habib al-Najjar, and he lived in the ancient great city of Antioch.
The people of Antioch were a people who worshipped idols and denied the messengers of Allah. So Allah sent them two messengers to call them to worship Allah alone.
“When We sent to them two messengers, they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third.”
(Quran 36:14)
That is, Allah sent them two messengers, but they denied them, so He sent a third to strengthen their cause. But the people became more obstinate and said to the messengers:
“You are not but human beings like us.”
(Quran 36:15)
Then they threatened them with stoning and punishment if they did not stop their call.
On the outskirts of the city lived a poor man who worked as a carpenter, Habib al-Najjar. He was known among the people for his goodness and worship.
Some narrations mention that he was:
- A righteous man
- Who gave half of his wealth in charity
- Afflicted with leprosy
- But he was one of the purest in heart
When he heard that his people were denying the messengers of Allah, he did not remain silent. Instead, he ran quickly from the farthest part of the city to reach the people before they harmed the messengers.
“And there came from the farthest part of the city a man, running.”
(Quran 36:20)
He did not come walking… but running. It’s as if the Quran wants to depict to us the intensity of his zeal for the truth.
This man stood alone before his people and said:
“O my people, follow the messengers.”
(Quran 36:20)
Then he said:
“Follow those who ask you not for any payment, and they are [rightly] guided.”
(Quran 36:21)
That is, these messengers do not ask for money or power… so why do you deny them?
Then he said one of the greatest words of monotheism:
“And why should I not worship He who created me and to whom you will be returned?”
(Quran 36:22)
That is, how can I not worship the One who created me?
Then he warned them against idol worship:
إِن يُرِدْنِ الرَّحْمَٰنُ بِضُرٍّ
لَّا تُغْنِ عَنِّي شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئًا
“Should I take other than Him gods [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me?”
(Quran 36:23)
Then he declared his faith openly:
“Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me.”
(Quran 36:25)
But his people could not tolerate these words. They pounced on him…
And the books of tafsir mention that they:
- Stoned him
- Trampled him with their feet
- Until they killed him
And it was said that while they were stoning him with stones, he was saying:
“O Allah, guide my people for they do not know.”
At the moment he died… the honor came to him immediately.
It was said, “Enter Paradise.”
(Quran 36:26)
He did not wait for the Day of Judgment… but entered Paradise immediately as an honor to him.
And when he saw the bliss of Paradise and Allah’s forgiveness for him… he did not think of himself, but remembered his people who had killed him, and said immortal words recorded by the Quran:
بِمَا غَفَرَ لِي رَبِّي
وَجَعَلَنِي مِنَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ
“Oh, I wish my people could know of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored.”
(Quran 36:26-27)
Even after they killed him… he did not curse them. He only wished that they would know the truth.
As for his people who killed him… Allah did not need armies or battles.
“And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven.”
(Quran 36:28)
But the punishment came to them with just one word:
فَإِذَا هُمْ خَامِدُونَ
“It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished.”
(Quran 36:29)
That is, they all perished in an instant.
Scholars have mentioned several amazing secrets in this story:
- Allah did not mention the man’s name so that he could be a model for any believer who can stand with the truth.
- He said “O my people” even though they were going to kill him… he addressed them with love.
- He wished them well after his death, which is one of the highest degrees of faith.
- He entered Paradise immediately, which is a great honor that only happens to the righteous servants of Allah.
Many scholars have said that this story came to console the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when his people denied him.
Allah shows him that:
- All messengers were denied
- Believers may be killed
- But the end is always for the truth
The story of Habib al-Najjar teaches us that:
- One person can change the course of history
- True faith appears in times of danger
- A sincere believer wishes well for people even if they harm him
And for this, his voice continues to echo in the Quran until the Day of Judgment:
“If only my people knew”
Surah Ya-Sin · Tafsir Ibn Kathir · Tafsir al-Qurtubi · Stories of the Prophets by Ibn Kathir
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