Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Know the Companions #1: Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

HIS NAME

He is Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه bin Nadhr bin hamham bin Zaid bin arraam bin Jundab bin `Aamir bin Ghanam bin `Adee bin al-Najjaar. (His kunya is) Abu amzaa, al-Anaaree, al-Khazrajee (from the tribe of al-Khazraj).
His Kunya is Abu amza – which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم named him.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also jokingly used to call him “yaa dhal udhnain” (o you with two ears) [Reported by Abu Dawood # 5002 & Tirmidhee # 3828]


HIS EARLY LIFE WITH THE PROPHET صلى الله عليه وسلم

He served the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, and was proud of it; and he is one of those who narrated many Ahaadeeth from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. As has been authentically reported that he was 10 years old when the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم arrived in Madeenah. Abu Talha (Anas’ step-father) took Anas to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, “O Allaah's Apostle! Anas is a wise boy, so let him serve you." His mother, Umm Sulaym said to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, “"O Allaah's Apostle! Anas is your servant, so please invoke for Allaah's blessing for him." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "O Allaah! Increase his wealth and offspring and bless (for him) whatever You give him." [Reported by al-Bukhaaree]

Anas said, "When Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم arrived at Medina, Abu Talha took hold of my hand and brought me to Allaah's Apostle and said, "O Allaah's Apostle! Anas is an intelligent boy, so let him serve you." Anas added, "So I served the Prophet at home and on journeys; by Allaah, he never said to me for anything which I did: 'Why have you done this like this?' or, for anything which I did not do: 'Why have you not done this like this?'" [Reported by al-Bukhaaree]

He used to carry the water for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم so that he can purify himself after relieving and for Wuhoo.

Muhammad ibn `Abdullaah al-Ansaaree said that Anas accompanied the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in the battle of Badr as a servant serving him (but he did not participate in the battle due to his young age – therefore his name is not included in the Badriyeen).

Musaa bin Anas said that Anas bin Maalik had participated in 8 battles.


THE PROPHET’s SUPPLICATION FOR HIM

Narrated Anas: My mother said, "O Allah's Apostle! Please invoke Allah on behalf of your servant." He said, "O Allah! Increase his wealth and children, and bestow Your Blessing on whatever You give him." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]


HIS ZUHD (ASCETICISM)

Al-Anaaree narrated from his father that Anas used to pray till his feet would get swollen (or bleed) due to his prolong standing in prayer.

Thaabit al-Bannaanee said that Abu Hurairah said, “I have never seen anyone whose prayer resembles the prayer of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم (in length and beauty) except that of that of Ibn Umm Sulaym (i.e. Anas bin Maalik).”

Anas bin Sireen said that Anas bin Maalik used to perform his prayers in the best possible manners, both during travel and during residence.


HIS KNOWLEDGE

He has narrated from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and from Abu Bakr, `Umar, `Uthmaan, Mu`aadh, and many more.

Those who narrated from him are many, amongst them are al-Hasan (al-Baree), Ibn Sireen, al-Sha`bee, Abu Qulaabah, Mak-ool, `Umar bin `Abdul `Azeez, al-Zuhree, Qatadah, Is-aaq, Yahya bin Sa`eed and many more.



HIS LONG LIFE

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed for increase in his (Anas) wealth and children; so when he died he had seen 120 sons and sons of his sons (male grandchildren). And he was one of the richest people from the Anaars.

Sulaimaan al-Taymee said that Anas said: “There is no one alive, who has prayed facing both the Qiblahs’, except me.”


HIS END

After the death of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم he resided in Madinah. Thereafter, he joined in the conquest (of other lands) and finally settled in al-Basrah, and died in it and was buried there. `Ali bin al-Madeenee said that he was the last companion to die in al-Basrah.

He died in the year 93 Hijree (according to other reports in the year 91 or 92). His age was 103 years (101 or 102 according to other reports).

He has narrated in a total, 2286 Ahaaeeth. Al-Bukhari and Muslim agreed upon 180 Ahaaeeth. Al-Bukhari individually reported 80 Ahaaeeth, whereas Muslim individually reported 90 Ahaaeeth.


References:
الإصابة في تمييز الصحابة – لإبن الحجر الأسقلاني
أسد الغابة في معرفة الصحابة – لإبن الأثير
الاستيعاب في معرفة الأصحاب - لإبن عبد البر

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