Outline
- Introduction
- The Beginning
- Sayyidunā Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam
- Sayyidunā Abu Salamah
- Sayyidunā ‘Uthman ibn Maẓ’ūn
- The Takeaway
Introduction
Majority of the companions whom we know and share about are the ones whose legacies fill pages and chapters. Undoubtedly, they are the Shining Stars we must hold in high esteem.
At the same time, there’s a significant number of companions whose legacies are numbered. The biography of whom each may not fill half a page. But their numbered contributions have in a way or another paved way for other companions to make numerous legacies. This is even truer, when the companion with numbered legacies is among the first batch of Muslims in the history of Islam.
This episode features three companions of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam whom every Muslim should remember their contribution, and if he’s a parent or educator, he should teach about them to his children and students.
These companions are:
- Sayyidunā Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam,
- Sayyidunā Abu Salamah, and
- Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān ibn Maẓ’ūn
Raḍiya Allāhu ’anhum.
Sayyidunā Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, Sayyidunā Abu Salamah, and Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān ibn Maẓ’ūn are our Shining Stars of this episode of The Shining Stars Series, brought to you by GSalam.Net and Al-Bushra by GSalam.
The Beginning
When the divine revelation descended upon the Prophet, and he started to secretly call the people of Makkah to Islam, the number of people who accepted the Message started with one, Sayyidah Khadījah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhā, and then it started to accumulate by the day.
Among the second ten who accepted the message are the Shining Stars we are featuring in this episode. They are Sayyidunā Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, Sayyidunā Abu Salamah, and Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān ibn Maẓ’ūn.
While each of has unique personality and struggle in Islam, they have few things in common, as they chose Islam.
- They all accepted Islam around the same time.
- They were among the second 10 to accept and embrace Islam.
- They all accepted Islam with invitation from Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
- They all migrated to Madinah.
Now, let’s take a ride in the life of Sayyidunā al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam.
Sayyidunā Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam
Our first Shining Star in this episode is Sayyidunā Al-Arqam ibn Abī al-Arqam raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
Also known as Abū ‘Abdillāh, he was widely known by his by al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam. His real name was ‘Abd Manāf… And his long name goes as:
الأرقم بن أبي الأرقم عبد مناف بن أسد بن عبد الله بن عمرو بن مخزوم
Al-Arqam ibn Abī al-Arqam ibn ‘Abd Manāf ibn Asad, ibn ‘Abdillāh ibn ‘Amr ibn Makhzūm.
He mother was Umaymah bint al-Ḥārith ibn Hibālah al-Khuzā’iyyah.
Sayyidunā al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam accepted Islam at the age of 16. He was among the second ten to accept Islam. This means he was 24 years younger the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam, 3 years younger than al-Zubayr, two years younger than Ṭalḥah ibn ‘Ubaydillah, a year younger that Sayyidunā Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, and six years older than Sayyidunā ‘Ali ibn Abī Ṭālib raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
After his Islam, he dedicated his house for da’wah. With that, his house became the first Islamic centre in the history of Islam. This house was located on the mount of Ṣafā.
There’re three main reasons for using his house as the first Islamic centre.
The first being that al-Arqam was from the clan of Makhzūm who were rivals to Bani Hāshim. The last thing Quraysh would think of was Muslims gathering in the house of al-Arqam, in the middle of the least expected to be Muslims.
The second was that, al-Arqam was in his teenage age at the time of his Islam. One could only think of Muhammad and his followers gathering in the house of a more matured person, than Al-Arqam’s house.
More important that the above two reasons is that, Allah wanted to honour al-Arqam with this legacy. True enough, wherever you go today, around the world, you will find at least one organization, centre or bookstores carrying the name of al-Arqam. Raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
Sayyidinā al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam migrated to Madīnah. In Madīnah he was partnered with Abū Ṭalḥah Zayd ibn Sahl. Zayd ibn Sahl is the same Anṣārī with whom Sayyidunā Abu ‘Ubaydah ‘Āmir ibn al-Jarrah was partnered. Raḍiya Allāhu ’anhum.
After his hijrah, he participated in the Battles Badr, Uḥud and all the battles in which the Prophet participated. The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam once entrusted him with Zakāt and charity collections.
Sayyidunā al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam was married to Ummahāt Walad, with whom he had:
- ‘Ubaydillāh’,
- Uthmān, and
- Ṣafiyyah
He also married Hind bint ‘Abdillāh ibn al-Ḥārith, with whom he was blessed with
- Umaymah, and
- Maryam
Sayyidunā al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam lived a long life.
He passed on during the Caliphate of Mu’āwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān. 55 years after hijrah. At an estimated age of 81.
It’s reported that before his passing, he made a will and requested that Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqāṣ lead his Janāzah prayers. Interestingly, Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqāṣ was reported to had passed in the same year, 55 hijrah, and was reported to be the last among Muhājirūn to pass on. With this, we understand that Sa’ad passed on not long after he led the prayer on the body of his good friend. Raḍiya Allāhu ’anhumā.
Sayyidunā Abu Salamah
Our second Shining Star in this episode of The Shining Stars Series is Sayyidunā Abu Salamah, raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
Famously known by his nickname, Sayyidunā Abu Salamah’s real was ‘Abdullāh. And his full goes as:
عبد الله بن عبد الأسد بن هلال بن عبد الله بن عمر بن مخزوم
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abd al-Asad ibn Hilāl ibn ‘Abdillāh ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzūm.
His mother was Burrah bint ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, who was an aunty to the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam. This means, Abū Salamah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu and the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam were cousins.
Sayyidunā Abu Salamah was among the second ten to embrace Islam
He was also among the batch of Muslims who made the first migration to Abyssinia, with the permission from the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
He was honoured to have the legacy of being the first to migrate to Madinah. His plan to migrate with his family (wife and kid) was blocked by his wife’s family, who denied him the right to migrate with their daughter. So he chose to migrate alone, leaving behind his Muslim wife and child. What happened to him wife and child after he left them? We will find that out, in the next episode of The Shining Stars Series, when we feature Sayyidatunā Ummu Salamah, raḍiya Allāhu ’anhumā.
Sayyidunā Abu Salamah participated in the Battles of Badr and Uḥud. And died from an injury that happened to him during the Battle of Uḥud.
His passing was in the fourth year of Hijrah. It’s reported that he passed on in grey haired.
Sayyidunā Abu Salamah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu was married to Sayyidatunā Ummu Salamah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhā. And they were blessed with four children:
- Salamah
- ‘Umar
- Zaynab, and
- Durrah
Sayyidunā ‘Uthman ibn Maẓ’ūn
Our third Shining Star in this episode is Sayyidunā ‘Uthman ibn Maẓ’ūn raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
Nicknamed as Abū al-Sā’ib, he was
عثمان بن مظعون بن حبيب بن وهب بن حذيفة بن جُمْح
‘Uthmān ibn Maẓ’ūn ibn Ḥabīb ibn Wahb ibn Ḥudhāfah ibn Jumḥ.
His mother was Sukhāylah bint al-‘Anbas ibn Wahbān ibn Wahb ibn Ḥudhāfah ibn Jumḥ.
He was among the second ten to embrace Islam.
He was a brother in-law to Sayyidunā ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb who married his sister, Zaynab bint Maẓ’ūn. In addition to Zaynab, his other siblings were ‘Abdullāh ibn Maẓ’ūn and Qudāmah ibn Maẓ’ūn raḍiya Allāhu ’anhum.
Zaynab bint Maẓ’ūn raḍiya Allāhu ’anhā was the mother of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar and Ḥafṣah bint ‘Umar. Hafsah bint ‘Umar was one of the wives of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
Sayyidunā ‘Uthman ibn Maẓ’ūn was among those who migrated to Abyssinia. Later on, he also migrated to Madīnah.
After his hijrah, Sayyidunā ‘Uthman ibn Maẓ’ūn participated in the Battle of Badr.
Just like Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq and Sayyidunā ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affān raḍiya Allāhu ’anhumā, Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān ibn Maẓ’ūn was among those who prohibited liquor upon themselves, even before the arrival of Islam. He was also known to be devotee in worship. He also went to the extreme, to the extent that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam had to intervened to bring him back to moderation.
He was married to Khawlah bint Ḥakīm al-Sulamiyyah. And he was blessed with
- al-Sā’ib, and
- ‘Abdul-Rahman.
Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān ibn Maẓ’ūn raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu died in the third year of Hijrah. He was first among the Muhājirīn to pass on in Madinah and the first to be buried in al-Baqī’. Raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
The Takeaway
Allāh says in Sūrah al-Tawbah, 100:
وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَـٰنٍ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى تَحْتَهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١٠٠﴾ـ
“As for those who led the way, from among the Muhājirīn and the Anṣār, as well as those who nobly followed them, Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him; He has prepared for them Gardens through which rivers flow, where they shall dwell forever. That is the supreme achievement.” (Sūrah al-Tawbah, 9:100).
As far as our Shining Stars who are featured in this episode are concerned, as well as all the other companions in the same category as theirs, this verse alone suffices for them to have a good rest. And for us to follow in their footsteps, and look up to them for inspirations.
Besides being among the first batches of Muslims, Dar al-Arqam is probably the first thing that comes to mind, when the mention of Sayyidunā al-Arqam is made. If there’s something we can learn from that, then it’s the fact that, one single deed or contribution could be the only cause to earn you Allah’s acceptance. What is that one contribution? No one knows… thus, you should continue to contribute as long as you breathe.
Al-Arqam could have come out with 101 excuses to not dedicate his house to be what later on is recognized as the first Islamic centre ever. His age… The rivalry between his clan and Banī Hāshim… social recognitions and many more. But he had the courage to take the initiative and take the risk… And, in return, Allah preserved that for him, forever.
There’re records about the ages lived by Abu Salamah and ‘Uthman ibn Maẓ’ūn. Probably, that was because they passed on early years after hijrah, before the Prophet and the Muslims settled down in the new community. There was no time to share their ages and life stories with the young companions. However, that means nothing for someone who has attained Allah’s mercy and pleasure.
Being among the first batches of Muslims suffices as a contribution in propagating Islam. This is because, the majority of followers will only follow the wave and trend, as it happened after Fatḥ Makkah. And a misstep from the early adopters could have ruined everything.
Sayyidunā al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, Sayyidunā Abu Salamah and Sayyidunā ‘Uthman ibn Maẓ’ūn were our Shining Stars of this episode. Until we meet in our next episode to take a look at another Shining Star, I leave you in Allah’s protection.
Wassalamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah.
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