Peak into the lives of the Tarjumān Al-Qur’ān

‘Abd Allāh ibn 'Abbās (Raḍiyallāhu ‘anh)

‘Abd Allāh ibn 'Abbās was born in Makkah approximately three year before the hijira of Nabī ﷺ. When he was born, he was taken to the Nabī ﷺ. It is a sunnah where the prophet would do tahnik on a new born child. Tahnik is where you would chew a date, thereafter you would rub it on the roof of the baby’s mouth. Abd Allāh ibn 'Abbās is the only one in Nabī ﷺ family where Nabī ﷺ used his own saliva opposed to using a date as they had no food. Abd Allāh ibn 'Abbās was known for going to the companions door step and placing a garment and sleeping there, as he would want to know every thing the companions knew about the prophet. Abd Allāh ibn 'Abbās established his house as the first university of Islam where he would spread the knowledge he has attained. There were people who crowded outside his house to gain knowledge from Abd Allāh ibn 'Abbās.

‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd (Raḍiyallāhu ‘anh)

'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd was from the hudayhl tribe, which was a tribe outside of Makkah. 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd was known to be shepherd. He was described as being extremely short and skinny. 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd was known to have cleanest white garments and have the most pleasant scent. One day Nabī ﷺ and his companion came to 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd whilst he was looking after heard of sheep’s and goats. They asked him would he be able to spare any milk for them from the sheep as they are travellers. At this point 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd didn’t know that this man was Nabī ﷺ. 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd mentioned that he would not be able to give any milk as he doesn’t own them as is just looking after them. Nabī ﷺ him to bring a sheep which has no milk in. At this point he brought an empty goat and Nabī ﷺ saw put his hands on the udders of the sheep and recited a dua. There after enough milk came through the sheep or feed the prophet and his companion. He also gave the milk to 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd to drink. After they had finished drinking the milk the sheep stopped producing milk. 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd asked Nabi saw to teach him the method he just witnessed. Nabī ﷺ wiped his hand on 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd and said to him that he is a knowledgeable young man who is intelligent. Following this 'Abd Allāh ibn Mas'ūd went to enquire about this man (Nabī ﷺ) and eventually accepted Islam and was known as the 6th person to embrace Islam.

Ubayy Ibn Ka’b (Raḍiyallāhu ‘anh)

Ubayy Ibn Ka’b was described as a serious individual. He had a deep concern regarding the fitnah of his time and was known for spending most of his time in ibadah. Ubayy Ibn Ka’b received Daʿwah from Mus'ab ibn Umayr which he then accepted islam. Thereafter he visited Nabī ﷺ to make a pledge to his message. Ubayy Ibn Ka’b was one of the three Ansar known for memorising the Qurʾān during Nabī ﷺ life time. Nabī ﷺ declared Ubayy Ibn Ka’b to have the best recitation within his nation. Ubayy Ibn Ka’b was the dedicated teacher of the Qurʾān in Nabī ﷺ masjid. During the time of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, Ubayy Ibn Ka’b was selected to lead the Ṣaḥābah in Tarawih prayers. Nabī ﷺ often called Ubayy Ibn Ka’b as the master of the ansar. Ubayy Ibn Ka’b passed away during the reign of Umar. Nearly everyone in Madinah attended his funeral which shows his status as a leader.

'Alī Ibn Abī Tālib (Raḍiyallāhu ‘anh)

'Alī the cousin of Nabī ﷺ. His father is Abu Talib which is Nabī ﷺ paternal uncle. 'Alī was known to come from extreme poverty. At a young age 'Alī witnessed Nabī ﷺ and Khadijah praying in the night. He approached Nabī ﷺ to ask about the nature of their worship. Nabī ﷺ invited him to Islam and urged him to reject Idols. 'Alī mentioned that he would need to consult with his father before making such a decision. Nabī ﷺ advised 'Alī to keep the matter quiet if he chose not to accept Islam. After this encounter 'Alī contemplated the whole night weather he should accept Islam and believe in the message. By the morning he decided to accept Islam without speaking to his father.

Syed Minhaz | Sanatayn Student