Khabab bin Al-Arat Al-Tamimi
The story you've described is about Khabab bin Al-Arat Al-Tamimi, one of the early companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He was among the first converts to Islam and endured severe persecution for his beliefs. Khabab was part of a group of oppressed people who were tortured in an attempt to force them to renounce Islam.
During these difficult times, a young man from his tribe named Tamim was captured and sold as a slave in Mecca. Umm Anmar al-Khuza’i, an ally of the Banu Zuhra tribe from the Quraish, bought him. Later, Tamim migrated to Yathrib (which later became known as Medina) and had the opportunity to witness the significant events and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
In the later years of his life, Khabab moved to Kufa, where he eventually passed away. He was buried there, marking the end of a life that had been deeply intertwined with the early days of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
His biography
Khabbab bin Al-Aratt was a captive since his youth, belonging to the Tamim tribe, specifically the clan of Banu Saad bin Zaid Manat. It was also suggested that he was from the Khuza’a tribe. He was sold as a slave in Mecca and bought by Umm Anmar Al-Khuza'i, an ally of Awf bin Abdul Awf Al-Zuhri, the father of Abdul Rahman bin Awf. Before converting to Islam, Khabbab worked as a swordsmith, and the Prophet Muhammad used to instruct and sit with him.
Khabbab embraced Islam even before the Prophet Muhammad began praying at Dar al-Arqam. He was the sixth person to convert, and some sources indicate he was the twentieth in the order of conversions. Khabbab, like many early Muslims, faced severe persecution in Mecca. He was one of the oppressed individuals who endured torture to renounce his faith. His mistress, Umm Anmar, used to subject him to excruciating pain by burning him with hot irons. Despite this, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and endurance.
Khabbab was among the first converts to Islam, along with the Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Suhaib, Bilal, Ammar, and Sumayyah Umm Ammar. The believers, including Khabbab, faced extreme hardships, enduring iron armor and the scorching sun. Khabbab's resilience was remarkable. He suffered greatly; his back was pressed with kneecaps until the flesh of his tenderloin was gone.
As a slave in Mecca, Khabbab crafted a sword for Al-Aas ibn Wael Al-Sahmi, who refused to pay until Khabbab renounced his faith. Khabbab, however, stood firm, and eventually, Al-Aas paid him for his work. Khabbab, after embracing Islam, migrated to Yathrib (later Medina) with Al-Miqdad bin Amr. There, he witnessed all the significant events and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
After the passing of the Prophet Muhammad and the subsequent Islamic conquests, Khabbab relocated to Kufa. He spent his final years there and passed away in the year 37 AH at the age of 73. Ali bin Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, prayed over him. Khabbab was the first person buried in the back of Kufa. Ali mourned him, recognizing him as a devoted believer who willingly embraced Islam, migrated obediently, lived as a warrior, and endured severe physical trials. Ali expressed confidence in God's just reward for Khabbab's steadfastness and faithfulness.
His narration of the Prophet’s hadith
Khabbab bin Al-Aratt's hadiths have been transmitted through several narrators, including Masruq bin Al-Ajda’, Abu Wael Shaqiq bin Salamah, Abu Muammar Abdullah bin Sukhabra, Qays bin Abi Hazim, Alqamah bin Qais Al-Nakha’i, his son Abdullah bin Khabab, Abu Maysara bin Sharhabeel, Amer Al-Sha’bi, Haritha bin Mudarib Al-Abdi, Abu Umamah Al-Bahili, Saeed bin Wahb Al-Hamdani, Suleiman bin Abi Hind Wasla bin Zafar, Abbad Abu Al-Akhdar, Ubadah bin Nasi Al-Kindi, Abdullah bin Abi Al-Hudhail, Amr bin Abdul Rahman, Hubayra bin Yarim, Yahya bin Ja’dah bin Hubayra, Abu Al-Kanood Al-Azdi, and Abu Laila Al-Kindi.
In terms of the assessment of his narrations, Al-Jarh and Al-Ta'deel scholars like Baqi bin Mukhlid Lakhbaab have accounted for 32 hadiths from him, with three of them being agreed upon. Specifically, Al-Bukhari alone included two of his hadiths, and Muslim recorded one hadith from him. Various other scholars and groups have also transmitted hadiths through him.