Al-Hawariyyun
Definition
Al-hawariyyun — the disciples — were the close companions and supporters of Isa who declared 'We are helpers of Allah' when he asked who would support him in his mission. The Quran presents them as models of faithful support for prophetic mission, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called on his companions to be like the Hawariyyun in their devotion. Ibn Kathir records that despite the crucifixion crisis — which scattered and confused many followers — the core of the Hawariyyun maintained faith in the truth of Isa's mission. Their role in Islamic history is both honored and bounded: they were the faithful companions of a prophet, not the founders of a new religion, and their testimony points toward the message of tawhid that Isa himself delivered.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Al-Hawariyyun.
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"one of you will sell me for a few coins and consume my price. They went out and dispersed, and the Jews were seeking him. They seized Simon, one of the disciples, and said, He is one of his companions. He denied it, saying, I am not his companion. So they let him go. Others took him, and he denied likewise. Then he heard the sound of a rooster and wept, feeling sorrowful. In the morning, one of the disciples came to the Jews and asked, What will you give me if I lead you to the Messiah? They offered him thirty durhams which he accepted, and he led them to Jesus. It had been made to appear to them before this,"
— Ibn Kathir, The Story of Isa
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"Ahbar, or others from the Israelites and Allah knows best. Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak reported that Jesus said to the disciples, As the kings have left you wisdom, so leave them the world. Qarada narrated that Jesus said, Ask me, for I have a soft heart and I am small in my own eyes. Ismail ibn Ayyash narrated from Ibn Umar that Jesus said to the disciples, Eat barley bread and drink pure water, and leave the world peacefully and securely. Truly, what I say to you, the sweetness of this world is the bitterness of the Hereafter, and the bitterness of this world is the sweetness of the Hereafter. Indeed"
— Ibn Kathir, The Story of Isa
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"and its chain may be interrupted, possibly from the narration of Sufi Ibn Nafi, from Kabbal Ahbar or others from the Israelites, and Allah knows best. Abdullah Ibn al-Mubarak narrated that Jesus said to the disciples, Just as the kings have left you wisdom, so too leave the world for them. Qadda reported that Jesus, peace be upon him, said, Ask me, for I have a gentle heart and I am small in my own eyes. It is also narrated that Jesus said to the disciples, Eat barley bread and drink pure water and leave this world safely and securely."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 2 — From the Israelite Prophets to Pre-Islamic Arabia
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