In the 1st century after hijrah in 638 CE, Hafar Al-Batin was just a route in the desert that pilgrims passed through from Mecca for Hajj. At that time, there was no water available in this land, the pilgrims travelled from Iraq to Mecca on a long route without water. During Uthman ibn Affan's reign (644 CE - 656 CE), complaints of pilgrims reached Abu-Musa al-Asha'ari, a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who answered by digging for new wells along this route in the Al-Batin valley. The name of Hafar Al-Batin (Arabic: حفر الباطن) is derived from this which means "the hole of Al-Batin Valley". During the 1991 Gulf War Hafar Al-Batin was targeted by a barrage of Iraqi Al Hussein missiles on February 14, 1991. At least two missiles hit the town. An automobile workshop, two houses and five cars were destroyed. Four civilians were injured
