Hudayfah grew up in a Muslim household and was taught the ways of Islam by his parents who were among the first to become a part of the religion. He was a Muslim before meeting the Prophet. He longed to meet the Prophet and eventually did and asked if he was an Emigrant or a Helper and the Prophet offered him the ability to choose his own path. He became a helper and accompanied the Prophet and participated in all engagements except for Badr. His father Thabit bin Waqsh was a martyr at the hands of the polytheists, al-Yaman on the other hand was injured by Muslims who did not recognize him and was killed by his own companions. The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him confided in Hadhayfah the names of the hypocrites and aided in protecting Islam, and earning him the title of “The Keeper of the Secretes of the Messenger of Allah".