Men of the companions

aṣ-Ṣiddīq — named by the Prophet ﷺ, with a prophet and two martyrs, when Uḥud trembled beneath them

ʿUmar رضي الله عنه used to say that Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه was their master and had freed their master, meaning Bilāl رضي الله عنه.

In the cave, he saw the trackers' feet above them; the Prophet ﷺ said, 'What do you think of two whose third is Allah?'

The day the Prophet ﷺ died, he told the people that whoever worshipped Muḥammad ﷺ, Muḥammad ﷺ had died, and whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and does not die — then recited Āl ʿImrān 3:144.

'If I were to take a close friend (khalīl), I would take Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه — but he is my brother and my companion.'

9:40 — The second of two in the cave.

Biographical account and appearances

The one whose path Shayṭān avoids

Ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه said: 'We have been strong ever since ʿUmar رضي الله عنه accepted Islam.'

'Among the nations before you were people who were inspired; if there is one in my Ummah, it is ʿUmar رضي الله عنه.'

ʿUmar رضي الله عنه said his Lord agreed with him in three matters: the place of prayer at Maqām Ibrāhīm, the screen for the Prophet's ﷺ wives, and the warning to them in at-Taḥrīm.

2:125 — Taking Maqām Ibrāhīm as a place of prayer.

33:53 — The screen for the Mothers of the Believers.

66:5 — The warning to the Prophet's ﷺ wives.

Biographical account and appearances

The one even the angels feel shy before

He missed Badr because his wife, the Prophet's ﷺ daughter, was ill; the Prophet ﷺ gave him the reward and share of one who was present.

He was the Prophet's ﷺ envoy to Makkah at al-Ḥudaybiyah; the Pledge of Riḍwān took place while he was away, and the Prophet ﷺ struck one hand on the other, saying, 'This is for ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه.'

He contributed one thousand dinars when the army of hardship was being prepared, and the Prophet ﷺ said nothing ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه did after that day would harm him.

He bought the well of Rūmah so that the Muslims could draw from it.

48:18 — This passage describes the pledge, not his presence under the tree: ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه was away on the mission to Makkah, and the Prophet ﷺ made the pledge on his behalf.

Biographical account and appearances

To the Prophet ﷺ as Hārūn was to Mūsā عليهما السلام, except that there is no prophet after him

He stayed in the Prophet's ﷺ bed on the night of the Hijrah while Quraysh waited outside, then returned the trusts left with the Prophet ﷺ.

At Khaybar the Prophet ﷺ gave the banner to 'a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him' — ʿAlī رضي الله عنه.

Biographical account and appearances

A sword from the swords of Allah

He led the Quraysh cavalry at Uḥud, and accepted Islam before the conquest of Makkah.

At Muʾtah, after Zayd, Jaʿfar and Ibn Rawāḥah رضي الله عنهم fell, the Prophet ﷺ told the people that the banner was taken by a sword from the swords of Allah, and Allah gave them victory.

Biographical account and appearances

One of the first seven to show their Islam openly

Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ رضي الله عنه named Bilāl رضي الله عنه and Ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه among six men with the Prophet ﷺ whom the polytheists demanded that he dismiss.

Ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه reports that the idolaters persecuted several of the first Muslims to declare Islam openly. Bilāl رضي الله عنه was handed to children who took him through the streets of Makkah while he repeated 'Aḥad, Aḥad.'

Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ heard Bilāl's رضي الله عنه footsteps ahead of him in Paradise. When asked about his deeds, Bilāl رضي الله عنه described praying after each purification whenever he could.

Biographical account and appearances

Among the first arrivals in Madinah, teaching the Qur'an alongside Ibn Umm Maktūm رضي الله عنه

He was killed at Uḥud and left only a cloak; covering his head uncovered his feet, so the Prophet ﷺ told them to cover his head and put grass over his feet.

Khabbāb رضي الله عنه said he died before taking anything of his reward in this world.

Biographical account and appearances

Of the people who would reach faith even if it were at the Pleiades

He left his father's religion searching for the truth, was sold into slavery, and found the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah.

He advised digging the trench around Madinah before the Confederates arrived.

Salmān رضي الله عنه told Abū ad-Dardāʾ رضي الله عنه that his Lord, his own self and his family each had a right upon him. When Abū ad-Dardāʾ رضي الله عنه reported this, the Prophet ﷺ confirmed that Salmān رضي الله عنه had spoken the truth.

Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that, when he asked about the people referred to in Al-Jumuʿah 62:3, the Prophet ﷺ put his hand on Salmān رضي الله عنه and spoke of people from his nation attaining faith even if it were at the Pleiades.

62:3 — Others who had not yet joined them.

Biographical account and appearances

The one who sold himself seeking Allah's pleasure

When he set out to migrate, Quraysh stopped him, and he gave up all his wealth to be let go.

Ibn Kathīr records that ʿUmar رضي الله عنه and other companions met Ṣuhayb رضي الله عنه and congratulated him. He also records that the Prophet ﷺ told Ṣuhayb رضي الله عنه that his trade had succeeded.

2:207 — One who sells himself seeking Allah's pleasure.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet's ﷺ uncle who defended him openly

He accepted Islam in anger after Abū Jahl abused the Prophet ﷺ, and Quraysh knew the Prophet ﷺ was now protected.

He was killed at Uḥud by Waḥshī.

Biographical account and appearances

One of the three whose repentance Allah accepted in the Qur'an

He stayed behind from Tabūk without an excuse, then told the Prophet ﷺ the truth rather than make one up.

The Muslims were told not to speak to him for fifty nights, until the earth felt narrow to him.

When he entered the mosque after his repentance was accepted, Ṭalḥah ibn ʿUbayd Allāh رضي الله عنه rose, shook his hand and congratulated him. Kaʿb رضي الله عنه said he never forgot this kindness.

He said Allah had not blessed him with anything greater, after Islam, than being truthful with the Prophet ﷺ that day.

9:117–119 — The three who were left behind.

Biographical account and appearances

A leader through whom Allah might reconcile two Muslim groups

The Prophet ﷺ called him a leader and said Allah might reconcile two large Muslim groups through him.

The Prophet ﷺ included him beneath his cloak with al-Ḥusayn رضي الله عنهما, Fāṭimah رضي الله عنها and ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, then recited Al-Aḥzāb 33:33.

33:33 — The Prophet ﷺ recited this passage after gathering these family members beneath his cloak.

Biographical account and appearances

One of his ﷺ two sweet basils in this world

The Prophet ﷺ described him and al-Ḥasan رضي الله عنهما as his two sweet basils in this world.

The Prophet ﷺ included him beneath his cloak with al-Ḥasan رضي الله عنهما, Fāṭimah رضي الله عنها and ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, then recited Al-Aḥzāb 33:33.

33:33 — The Prophet ﷺ recited this passage after gathering these family members beneath his cloak.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet’s ﷺ uncle asked to pray for rain

During drought, ʿUmar رضي الله عنه asked him to pray to Allah for rain.

ʿUmar رضي الله عنه identified him as the Prophet’s ﷺ uncle in his prayer; the narrator reports that rain followed.

Biographical account and appearances

He stayed close to the Prophet ﷺ to hear and learn

He explained that he stayed close to the Prophet ﷺ, content with enough food to fill his stomach, while other companions were occupied with trade or farming.

He cited Al-Baqarah 2:159–160 when explaining why he transmitted knowledge rather than concealing it.

2:159–160 — He cited these āyāt when explaining why he transmitted knowledge rather than concealing it.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ warned him that authority is a trust

Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated that ʿAlī رضي الله عنه guided Abū Dharr رضي الله عنه to the Prophet ﷺ in Makkah. When Abū Dharr رضي الله عنه declared his faith publicly and was beaten, al-ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه protected him.

He asked the Prophet ﷺ to appoint him to public office.

He recounted being corrected by the Prophet ﷺ after insulting a man on account of his mother. The report does not name that man.

The Prophet ﷺ touched his shoulder, told him he was weak, and warned that authority is a trust that brings shame and regret on the Day of Resurrection, except for someone who takes it rightfully and fulfils its duties.

He related the Prophet's ﷺ instruction to feed and clothe those under one's care as oneself, not burden them beyond their capacity, and help them with work too heavy for them.

Biographical account and appearances

One of four named teachers of Qur’an recitation

The Prophet ﷺ named him among four people from whom Qur’an recitation should be learned.

The Prophet ﷺ asked him to recite the Qur’an to him, explaining that he liked hearing it from others.

Biographical account and appearances

He shielded the Prophet ﷺ at Uḥud

At Uḥud, Abū Ṭalḥah رضي الله عنه stood in front of the Prophet ﷺ with his shield and asked him not to raise his head where an enemy arrow might strike him.

When he noticed signs of hunger in the Prophet's ﷺ voice, he asked Umm Sulaym رضي الله عنها for food. She sent barley bread with Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه. The Prophet ﷺ came with the people, and seventy or eighty men ate their fill from the meal.

Biographical account and appearances

He advanced at Uḥud after missing Badr

After missing Badr, he told the Prophet ﷺ that, if Allah gave him another opportunity to fight the polytheists, Allah would see what he did. At Uḥud he advanced when others had retreated.

His body bore more than eighty wounds and was recognised by his sister from his fingers.

Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه reported that they used to think Al-Aḥzāb 33:23 was revealed concerning his uncle and others like him. This preserves the report's own wording about that connection.

33:23 — Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه said they used to think this was revealed concerning his uncle and others like him; this is the report's qualified attribution.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ heard his explanation

He sent a letter informing some people in Makkah of the Prophet's ﷺ intentions. He explained that he wanted protection for his dependants because, unlike other migrants, he lacked family ties to Quraysh. He denied acting from disbelief or abandoning Islam.

The Prophet ﷺ said that Ḥāṭib رضي الله عنه had told the truth. When ʿUmar رضي الله عنه asked to kill him, the Prophet ﷺ recalled his participation at Badr and spoke of Allah's forgiveness for its participants.

Biographical account and appearances

He reached the believers in chains

He arrived from Makkah in chains and asked whether he would be returned despite coming as a Muslim. The report records that he had been severely tortured for his faith.

His father Suhayl ibn ʿAmr رضي الله عنه insisted that he be returned under the treaty's condition. The Prophet ﷺ asked to keep him, but Suhayl رضي الله عنه refused; the report records his return to his father.

Biographical account and appearances

Among the people of the ship

He set out from Yemen with his brothers and others after hearing of the Prophet's ﷺ migration. Their ship took them to Abyssinia, where they stayed with Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه before meeting the Prophet ﷺ at Khaybar.

Asmāʾ bint ʿUmays رضي الله عنها said he repeatedly asked her to recount the Prophet's ﷺ assurance that the people of the ship had the reward of two migrations.

When sending him and Muʿādh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه to Yemen, the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to make things easy, give good news, and cooperate with one another.

Biographical account and appearances

Sent with guidance to make things easy

The Prophet ﷺ instructed him and Abū Mūsā رضي الله عنه to make things easy, give good news, and cooperate. Muʿādh رضي الله عنه described seeking Allah's reward for his sleep as well as his night prayer.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ explained his dream

He recounted a dream in which he climbed a pillar in a garden and held firmly to a handhold. The Prophet ﷺ explained the garden as Islam and told him he would remain Muslim until his death.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ prayed for him at his death

Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها reported that, when Abū Salamah رضي الله عنه died, the Prophet ﷺ closed his eyes. When members of his family cried out, he ﷺ instructed them to pray only for good.

The Prophet ﷺ prayed for him to be forgiven, raised among the rightly guided, and granted spaciousness and light in his grave.

Biographical account and appearances

One of the people dearest to the Prophet ﷺ

Some people criticised his appointment as army commander; the Prophet ﷺ defended him and recalled similar criticism of his father.

The Prophet ﷺ named him among the people dearest to him after his father Zayd ibn Ḥārithah رضي الله عنه.

After he killed a man who had declared lā ilāha illā Allāh, the Prophet ﷺ repeatedly challenged him for killing the man after that declaration.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ brushed the dust from him

While the mosque was being built, he carried two bricks at a time while others carried one; the Prophet ﷺ brushed dust from him.

After he described rolling in the earth when he needed full purification but had no water, the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated that touching the earth and wiping the face and hands would have sufficed.

Biographical account and appearances

He refused to abandon his faith for repayment

He and other persecuted believers asked the Prophet ﷺ to seek Allah's help for them.

Al-ʿĀṣ ibn Wāʾil refused to repay his debt unless he disbelieved in Muḥammad ﷺ; he refused.

The Prophet ﷺ recalled earlier believers who endured torture without abandoning their religion, foretold the security Islam would bring, and told them they were being hasty.

19:77–78 — The warning following al-ʿĀṣ ibn Wāʾil's refusal to repay his debt and his claim about wealth after resurrection.

Biographical account and appearances

He shielded the Prophet ﷺ with his hand

Qays reported seeing Ṭalḥah's رضي الله عنه paralysed hand, with which he had protected the Prophet ﷺ.

A report records that, during one battle, only he and Saʿd رضي الله عنه remained with the Prophet ﷺ.

Biographical account and appearances

He answered the Prophet's ﷺ request for news

He bore a wound from Badr and later received two more wounds over his shoulder at al-Yarmūk.

At al-Aḥzāb he went to obtain news of Banū Qurayẓah at the Prophet's ﷺ request. On his return, the Prophet ﷺ said that his father and mother be sacrificed for him.

Biographical account and appearances

He asked to be shown the market

After migrating to Madinah, he declined an offer of half his brother-in-faith's wealth and asked instead to be shown the market, where he began trading.

The Prophet ﷺ established a bond of brotherhood between him and Saʿd ibn al-Rabīʿ رضي الله عنه.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ visited him during serious illness

He recalled campaigning with the Prophet ﷺ when they had nothing to eat except tree leaves.

During a serious illness at the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ visited him and asked about his health.

The Prophet ﷺ limited his proposed charitable bequest to one third, saying even that was much, and that leaving his heirs well provided for was better than leaving them to beg.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ prayed for his understanding

After he placed water for the Prophet's ﷺ purification, the Prophet ﷺ prayed that Allah grant him understanding of religion.

The Prophet ﷺ embraced him and prayed that Allah teach him wisdom.

Biographical account and appearances

He followed the encouragement to pray at night

After he divorced his wife during menstruation, the Prophet ﷺ instructed that he take her back and explained the proper timing of divorce.

He told his dream to Ḥafṣah رضي الله عنها, who related it to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ called him a good man and encouraged night prayer; afterward he slept only a little at night.

65:1 — The Prophet ﷺ explained the commanded timing of divorce; this is application, not an occasion claim.

Biographical account and appearances

He served the Prophet ﷺ for ten years

He served the Prophet ﷺ for ten years and reported that he ﷺ never said 'uff' to him or reproached him for doing something or leaving something undone.

At Umm Sulaym's رضي الله عنها request, the Prophet ﷺ prayed for him to have wealth and children and for Allah to bless him.

Biographical account and appearances

He hosted the Prophet ﷺ

While hosting the Prophet ﷺ downstairs, he was troubled at walking above him and spent the night in a corner; the Prophet ﷺ later agreed to exchange floors.

When the Prophet ﷺ returned food containing garlic untouched, he asked whether garlic was forbidden. The Prophet ﷺ explained that it was not forbidden but that he disliked its smell.

Biographical account and appearances

The trustworthy one of this nation

Commanding three hundred men on the coast expedition, he pooled their dwindling provisions and rationed the dates until each man received only one date a day.

Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ called him the trustworthy one of this nation.

Biographical account and appearances

The Throne shook at his death

An arrow wounded him at the Trench; the Prophet ﷺ set up a tent for him in the mosque so that he could visit him nearby.

The Prophet ﷺ said that the Throne shook at his death.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ affirmed that he was worthy of command

He carried the army's banner at Muʾtah and was killed; the Prophet ﷺ announced his death with tears in his eyes.

When recalling criticism of his command, the Prophet ﷺ affirmed that he was worthy of leadership and one of the people dearest to him.

33:5 — The report connects his change of name to the command to call adopted sons by their fathers' names.

Biographical account and appearances

Appointed to take command after Zayd رضي الله عنه at Muʾtah

The Prophet ﷺ appointed him to take command at Muʾtah if Zayd ibn Ḥārithah رضي الله عنه was killed.

Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما reported finding him among the dead with more than ninety wounds from stabbing and projectiles.

Biographical account and appearances

He explained his family's needs

He explained that he married a previously married woman because he had young sisters and wanted someone who could gather them together, comb their hair and care for them.

During the same journey, the Prophet ﷺ bought his tired camel. When Jābir رضي الله عنهما reached Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ gave him both the camel and its price.

Biographical account and appearances

He carried out the assigned mission in the cold

He described severe wind and cold on the night of al-Aḥzāb. After no one responded to repeated calls for someone to obtain enemy news, the Prophet ﷺ assigned him by name. He said that, once named, he had no alternative but to get up.

He refrained from shooting Abū Sufyān رضي الله عنه because he remembered the Prophet's ﷺ instruction not to provoke the enemy. After he returned with the news and began to feel cold, the Prophet ﷺ wrapped him in a blanket.

Biographical account and appearances

The Prophet ﷺ taught him to balance worship and responsibilities

He reported fasting by day and praying throughout the night. He persisted in asking to fast more after the Prophet ﷺ offered him an easier allowance.

The Prophet ﷺ instructed him to fast and break his fast, pray and sleep, because his body, wife and guest had rights upon him. In old age he regretted not accepting the easier allowance.

Biographical account and appearances

A treaty negotiator whom al-Dhahabī records as later embracing Islam

At al-Ḥudaybiyah, Suhayl ibn ʿAmr رضي الله عنه objected to the title 'Messenger of Allah' in the treaty and insisted that his son Abū Jandal رضي الله عنه be returned. The Prophet ﷺ asked to keep Abū Jandal رضي الله عنه, but Suhayl رضي الله عنه refused.

Al-Dhahabī records that Suhayl رضي الله عنه accepted Islam at the conquest. He also records that, after the Prophet's ﷺ death, Suhayl رضي الله عنه addressed the people of Makkah and calmed them, affirming Islam.

Biographical account and appearances

A former opponent who accepted Islam at the conquest

Ar-Raḥīq recounts his leadership against the Muslims and his acceptance of Islam before the entry into Makkah.

The Prophet ﷺ declared that anyone entering Abū Sufyān's رضي الله عنه house would be safe, as would those who laid down their arms or closed their doors.

Biographical account and appearances

The king who sheltered the believers

Ar-Raḥīq records that he heard Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه and refused Quraysh's request to hand over the Muslim migrants.

Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ announced an-Najāshī's رضي الله عنه death on the day he died, arranged the people in rows, and offered his funeral prayer with four takbīrs.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the early Muslims and identifies him with Banū Makhzūm.

Ar-Raḥīq records that the Prophet ﷺ used al-Arqam's رضي الله عنه house near aṣ-Ṣafā as a meeting place for the believers during the period of persecution.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the early Muslims, together with his brothers Qudāmah رضي الله عنه and ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنه.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the early Muslims as a brother of ʿUthmān ibn Maẓʿūn رضي الله عنه.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the early Muslims as a brother of ʿUthmān ibn Maẓʿūn رضي الله عنه.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the early Muslims, identifying his family through al-Ḥārith ibn al-Muṭṭalib.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the early Muslims, together with his wife Fāṭimah bint al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنها, the sister of ʿUmar رضي الله عنه.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq records that Yāsir رضي الله عنه accepted Islam with his wife Sumayyah رضي الله عنها and their son ʿAmmār رضي الله عنه.

The book records that the family endured repeated torture and that Yāsir رضي الله عنه died as a result of it.

Ar-Raḥīq records the Prophet's ﷺ reassurance to the persecuted family of Paradise.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq records that Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه purchased and freed ʿĀmir ibn Fuhayrah رضي الله عنه.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq records that he hosted Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr رضي الله عنه in Madinah during his teaching mission.

The book names him among the twelve deputies appointed at the second pledge of ʿAqabah.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq recounts how he accepted Islam after listening to Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr رضي الله عنه in Madinah.

The book records that he initially came armed and told Muṣʿab رضي الله عنه and Asʿad ibn Zurārah رضي الله عنه to stop their gathering. Muṣʿab رضي الله عنه invited him to listen first; he listened and then accepted Islam.

The book names him among the twelve deputies at the second pledge of ʿAqabah.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq recounts that he accepted Islam before the second pledge of ʿAqabah and attended its meeting.

The book names him among the twelve deputies appointed at that pledge.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq records his promise at the second pledge of ʿAqabah to protect the Prophet ﷺ as they protected their families.

The book names him among the twelve deputies appointed at that pledge.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the participants in the first pledge of ʿAqabah.

The book also names him among the twelve deputies at the second pledge of ʿAqabah.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the twelve deputies at the second pledge of ʿAqabah.

The Prophet ﷺ appointed him to take command at Muʾtah if Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه was killed.

Biographical account and appearances

Ar-Raḥīq names him among the twelve deputies at the second pledge of ʿAqabah.

Biographical account and appearances