Islamophobes often cite a statement attributed to Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه): “I used to accompany Allah’s Apostle to fill my stomach”, claiming this proves he followed the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for material benefit and was therefore a hypocrite. This argument collapses once the historical context, Arabic usage, and Islamic definition of hypocrisy are understood.

First, the statement itself is authentic and appears in collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, but authenticity does not mean the hostile interpretation is correct. Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) was describing his state of extreme poverty, not his motive for faith. He was one of the Ahl al-Ṣuffah, companions who were homeless, jobless, and lived in the mosque with little to no food. Hunger was their daily reality.[1]

Second, in classical Arabic, the phrase “to fill my stomach” is not a confession of greed or opportunism. It is a plain, self-deprecating expression meaning: “I was poor and hungry.” Arabs frequently used bodily expressions to describe hardship. Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) was openly acknowledging his vulnerability, not revealing an ulterior motive.

Third, the Islamic definition of hypocrisy (nifāq) is not poverty or dependence. A hypocrite is someone who outwardly professes Islam while inwardly disbelieving. Abu Hurayrah’s (رضي الله عنه) life contradicts this completely. He endured hunger, mockery, and hardship for years after the Prophet’s (ﷺ) death, continuing to teach hadith without gaining wealth or power. Hypocrites abandon hardship once material benefit disappears; Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) remained steadfast.[2]

Fourth, his very honesty undermines the accusation. Hypocrites conceal motives; they do not publicly admit weakness. Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) repeatedly narrated his own hunger, fainting from starvation, and tying stones to his stomach. This transparency is the opposite of hypocrisy and reflects sincerity and humility, traits praised in Islam.

Fifth, Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) did not gain materially from his companionship. He died without wealth, lived simply, and never used hadith narration to secure status. Yet he became the most prolific transmitter of hadith, preserving thousands of narrations for the Ummah. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself prayed for Abu Hurayrah’s (رضي الله عنه) memory, a prayer that scholars across all schools accepted as fulfilled. It is inconceivable that the Prophet (ﷺ) would pray for, trust, and publicly affirm a hypocrite.

Finally, the accusation reflects a modern bias, not an ancient one. In today’s world, poverty is often stigmatized. In early Islam, however, poverty was common among the most righteous companions. Hunger did not invalidate faith; it often proved its sincerity. Following the Prophet while hungry, homeless, and powerless is evidence of devotion, not deceit.

In conclusion, the claim that Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) followed the Prophet (ﷺ) “only for food” is a deliberate distortion. His statement describes poverty, not motive; honesty, not hypocrisy. Far from exposing a flaw, it highlights his humanity and sincerity. The accusation collapses under even minimal historical and theological scrutiny.

References and footnotes:

[1] Ibn Ḥajar, Fatḥ al-Bārī, on Ahl al-Ṣuffah.

[2] Muslim, Ṣaḥīḥ, on the Prophet’s (ﷺ) supplication for Abu Hurayrah’s (رضي الله عنه) memory.