Know the Companions #4 - `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

The Imaam, the ocean (of knowledge), the jurist of the nation, Abu `Abdul-Rahmaan al-Hadhlee, al-Makee, al-Muhaajiree, al-Badaree.

HIS NAME

He is `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه bin Ghaafil bin Habeeb bin Shamkh bin Faar bin Makhzoom, bin Saahilah bin Kaahil, bin al-Haarith bin Tameem bin Sa`d bin Hadheel bin Mudrikah bin Ilyaas bin Madhar bin Nazaar.

His mother’s name was, Umm `Abd bint `Abd Wad bin Sawaa’ah, she was amongst the foremost people to embrace Islaam.

People also used to call `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood with the kunya, “Ibn Umm `Abd”.

`Alqamah said that Ibn Mas`ood said: “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was the first to give me the kunya Abu `Abdul-Rahmaan even before I had a child.”

AMONGST THE FOREMOST TO EMBRACE ISLAAM

Ibn Mas`ood was from amongst the foremost to embrace Islaam - when Sa`eed bin Zaid and his wife Fatmah bint al-Khattaab had embraced Islaam - and this was a long time before `Umar had embraced Islaam. Ibn Mas`ood was amongst the most knowledgeable of companions. He participated in the battle of Badr, `Uhud, Khandaq; gave the pledge under the tree; migrated twice – the first to Abyssinia and the second to Madeenah; was of those who prayed facing both the Qiblahs; was of good character; and taught abundant knowledge.

Al-Qaasim bin `Abdul-Rahmaan reports from his father that `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood said: “I was the sixth of the six Muslims, and there was no other Muslim, on the face of the earth, other than us.” [al-Haakim in his Mustadrak (3/312) and said it is Saheeh, and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Mawaarid (1901)]

Imaam Muslim recorded in his Saheeh that Sa`d bin Abi Waqqaas who said: "There was a group of six of us gathered with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. The idolaters said, `Tell these people to leave (the gathering) so that they will not offend us.' There was myself, Ibn Mas`ood, a man from Hudayl, Bilal and two other men whose names I have forgotten. Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم thought to himself about whatever Allaah willed he should think about, then Allaah revealed: {And turn not away those who invoke their Lord, morning and afternoon.} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 52] [Saheeh Muslim (2413)]

THE STORY OF HIS EMBRACING ISLAAM

It is reported from Zaid bin Wahb that `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood said, “The first thing which I learned from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was when I came to Makkah with my cousins or the people of my tribe. We intended to buy perfume. We were guided towards al-`Abbaas (the Prophet’s uncle). We went to him, while he was sitting near the Zamzam, so we sat along with him. While we were with him, a man approached from Baab al-Safa, who had white complexion, thick beard, wearing 2 white garments, looking like a moon on the night when it is full. A handsome looking young boy was walking on his right. A woman who was covering her beauty stopped them, and caught up with them near the (Black) Stone. Then he (the man) kissed it (the Black Stone), so did the boy, and then the woman. Then he circumambulated around the Ka`bah 7 times, and they were with him. Then he approached the Rukn (al-Yamaani), raised his hands and said the Takbeer; he stood (praying) and then bowed, and then prostrated and again stood up. We saw this and were amazed, for we did not know that the people of Makkah did this. So we said to al-`Abbaas: ‘O Abu al-Fadhl! Is this a new religion or is it something that we don’t know from before?’ He said: ‘Verily by Allaah, you don’t know about this. This man is the son of my brother, Muhammad ibn `Abdullaah, and the youth is `Ali bin Abi Taalib, and the woman, Khadeejah bint Khuwailid, is his wife. By Allaah! We do not know of anyone on the face of this earth who prays to Allaah with this religion except for these 3.’” [This was reported by Al-Haithamee in Majma` al-Zawaaid (9/225). And it is weak because in its chain there is Yahya bin Haatim who is majhool (unknown), and the other is Bashr bin Mahraan who has been declared weak by Abu Haatim. Ibn Shaibah said that Bashr was alone in reporting this]

Ibn Mas`ood narrated that: “I used to be a shepherd, looking after the sheep of `Uqbah bin Abi Mu`eet. One day the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Abu Bakr passed by me (in another narration, they were fleeing from the persecution of the Quraish in Makkah) and said: ‘O lad! Do you have any milk?’ I said: ‘Yes, but I am only a custodian (and as such cannot give you any of it).’ He said: ‘Does the herd have any young sheep which does not yield milk?’ So I brought them one such sheep, and he passed his hand over its udder and it became full with milk and Abu Bakr milked it in a container. He صلى الله عليه وسلم drank from it, and then Abu Bakr. He صلى الله عليه وسلم then said to the udder: ‘reduce’ and it reduced back to the way it was. (Later on) I approached him and said: ‘Teach me from these words (i.e. the Qur’aan).’ So he wiped his hand over my head and said: ‘Allaah have mercy on you! You are a wise youth.’ So, I learned from him 70 Surahs.” [Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (6/190 & 5/210) and authenticated by Shaikh Ahmad Shaakir, and by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Mawaarid (1804), and Shaikh Muqbil said it is ‘Hasan’ in his checking of Saheeh Dalail al-Nubuwah (130)]

HIS CLOSENESS TO THE PROPHET صلى الله عليه وسلم

Narrated Abu Moosa: “My brother and I came from Yemen (to Medina) and remained for some time, thinking that Ibn Mas`ood and his mother belonged to the family of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم because of their frequent entrance (upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) and their being attached to him.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3763, 4384), Saheeh Muslim (2460), Al-Tirmidhee (3806)]

`Abdullaah said: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The permission for you to enter (my house) is to lift the curtain and hear my voice until I forbid you.” [Saheeh Muslim (2169), and Ibn Majah (139) and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee, and by Shaikh Ahmad Shaakir in Musnad Ahmad (5/252)]

`Ubaidullaah bin `Abdullaah bin `Utbah said: “Ibn Mas`ood used to know the secrets of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and (carry) his bedding (during the journeys), his siwaak, his shoes, and water for purification.”

Qaasim bin `Abdul-Rahmaan said: “Ibn Mas`ood used to help the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم put on his shoes, and used to walk in front of him carrying a stick. When they would arrive at the gathering, he would take off his (the Prophet’s) shoes.”

`Abdullaah bin Shaddaad said: “`Abdullaah was the caretaker of the Prophet’s secrets, his siwaak, and his shoes.”

HIS KNOWLEDGE & STATUS

`Abdullaah bin Mas`ood was counted as being one of the most intelligent of scholars.

The Companions who narrated from Ibn Mas`ood are: Abu Moosaa, Abu Hurairah, Ibn `Abbaas, Ibn `Umar, `Imraan bin Hussain, Jaabir, Ibn Zubair, Abu Sa`eed, Anas, and Abu Umaamah رضي الله عنهم أجمعـين.

From the Tabi`een who narrated from him are: `Alqamah, al-Aswad, Masrooq, `Ubaidah, Abu Waail, Qays bin abi Haazim, al-Rabee`, Taariq bin Shihaab, Zaid bin Wahb, his two sons – Abu `Ubaidah and `Abdul-Rahmaan ibn Mas`ood, Abu al-Ahwas `Auf bin Maalik and many more.

Amongst those who learned the recitation of al-Qur’aan from him are Abu `Abdul-Rahmaan al-Sulamee and `Ubaid bin Nadheelah and others.

Narrated `Abdul-Rahmaan bin Yazeed: We asked Hudhaifah to tell us of a person resembling (to some extent) the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in good appearance and straightforward behavior so that we may learn from him (good manners and acceptable conduct). Hudhaifah replied, "I do not know anybody resembling the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم (to some extent) in appearance and conduct more than Ibn Um `Abd." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3762)]

Narrated Hudhaifah: “From among the people, Ibn Umm `Abd greatly resembled Allaah's Apostles صلى الله عليه وسلم in solemn gate and good appearance of piety and in calmness and sobriety from the time he goes out of his house till he returns to it. But we do not know how he behaves with his family when he is alone with them.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5746), Al-Haakim reported in his “Mustadrak” with the addition: “And the memorizers from among the companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم knew that amongst all of them Ibn Umm `Abd (i.e. Ibn Mas`ood) was the closest one to Allaah on the Day of Judgment.” Mustadrak al-Haakim (5377) and said it is Saheeh on both their (al-Bukhaaree’s and Muslim’s) condition but they did not record it, Ibn Hibbaan (7063), Tirmidhee (3807) and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Imaam al-Bukhaaree mentions in his “al-Taareekh” with a Saheeh chain that: When the news of `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood’s death reached Abi al-Dardaa’, he said: “He has not left after him anyone similar to him.”

Abu Is-haq reported that he heard Abu al-Ahwas say: “I was along with Abu Moosa and Abu Mas`ood when `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood died and one of them said to the other: ‘Do you find one like him besides him?’ Thereupon he said: ‘Do you say this (no one can be his rival)? He was admitted (to the company of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) whereas we were detained and he had been present in the company of Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم whereas we had been absent.’” [Saheeh Muslim (2461)]

Abul Ahwas reported: “We were in the house of Abu Moosa along with some of the companions of `Abdullaah (Ibn Mas`ood) and they were looking at the Book. `Abdullah (Ibn Mas`ood) stood up, whereupon Abu Mas`ood said: “I do not know whether Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم has left after him one having a better knowledge (of Islam) than the man who is standing.” Abu Moosa said: “If you say this, then it is correct, because he had been present when we had been absent and he was permitted when we were detained.”” [Saheeh Muslim (2461)]

Abi `Amr al-Shaibaanee narrates that Abu Moosa al-Ash`aree gave a fatwa on al-Faraaidh (inheritance) and made an error and Ibn Mas`ood differed from him (in this issue). So Abu Moosa said: “Do not ask me about anything as long as this ocean of knowledge is present amongst you.” [Imaam Ahmad reported this from Hazeel bin Sharhabeel in his Musnad (6/194) and authenticated by Shaikh Ahmad Shaakir ; and it is also authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Irwaa al-Ghaleel (6/128)]

`Aamer reports that Ibn Mas`ood was in Hims, so `Umar (Ibn al-Khattaab) sent him to the people of al-Koofah, and wrote to them: “By Allaah, The One besides whom there is no one worthy of being worshiped! I have preferred you over myself by sending him to you, so take (learn) from him.” [Irwaa al-Ghaleel (8/229-230, 233) but the chain is broken]

HIS KNOWLEDGE OF AL-QUR’AAN, AND THE PROPHET’S ACKNOWLEDMENT OF THAT

`Abdullah was the best at reciting the Qur’aan among the companions and he understood it better than them all. He was therefore the most knowledgeable on the Shari’ah.

Narrated `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me, “Recite (of the Qur'aan) for me.” I said, "Shall I recite it to you although it had been revealed to you?" He said, “I like to hear (the Qur'aan) from others.” So I recited Surah-al-Nisaa' till I reached: {How (will it be) then when We bring from each nation a witness, and We bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people?} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4):41] Then he said, “Stop!” And behold, his eyes were overflowing with tears. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4582, 5050, 5055), Muslim (800)]

Narrated Masrooq: `Abdullah (bin Mas'ood) was mentioned before `Abdullaah bin 'Amr. The latter (`Abdullaah bin 'Amr) said: "That is a man I continue to love because I heard Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, 'Learn the recitation of the Qur'aan from (any of these) four persons: 'Abdullaah bin Mas`ood – and he began with him, Saalim the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifah, Ubai bin Ka`b, and Mu`aadh bin Jabal.' I do not remember whether he mentioned Ubai first or Mu`aadh." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3758, 3759,3806)]

Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas`ood: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "When I am gone copy those two of my companions, Abu Bakr and `Umar, follow the guidance of `Ammaar, and hold fast to the injunction of Ibn Umm `Abd (i.e. `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood)." [In the narration reported by Hudhayfah bin al-Yamaan's it is reported: "Believe what Ibn Mas'ood tells you" instead of "Hold fast to the injunction of Ibn Umm `Abd."] [Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3805) and Saheeh al-Jaami` (1143, 1144)]

Abdullaah bin Mas`ood said: “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “I am pleased for my Ummah with that which pleases Ibn Umm `Abd (i.e. Ibn Mas`ood)” [Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jami` (3509)]

`Abdullaah bin Mas`ood said that Abu Bakr and `Umar both gave him the glad tidings that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whosoever loves to recite the Qur’aan as fresh the day it was revealed, then let him recite it like the recitation of Ibn Umm `Abd.” [Sunan Ibn Majah (138), And Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (2301)]

`Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood said: “Whenever we used to learn (memorize) 10 ayaat from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, we did not pursue to learn the next 10 ayaat which were revealed after it, till we understood the meaning of what we had already learned.”

Narrated `Abdullaah (bin Mas`ood): “By Allaah other than Whom none has the right to be worshipped! There is no Surah revealed in Allaah's Book but I know at what place it was revealed; and there is no Verse revealed in Allaah's Book but I know about whom it was revealed. And if I know that there is somebody who knows Allaah's Book better than I, and he is at a place that camels can reach, I would go to him. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5002), Saheeh Muslim (2463)]

Masrooq reported that `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood said: “No ayah was revealed from the Book of Allaah, except that I know when it was revealed and about whom it was revealed.”

Narrated Alqamah While we were in the city of Hims (in Syria), Ibn Ma`ooud recited Surah Yusuf. A man said to him, "It was not revealed in this way." Then Ibn Mas'ud said, "I recited it in this way before Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم and he confirmed my recitation by saying, “Well done!” Ibn Mas`ood detected the smell of wine from the man's mouth, so he said to him, "Aren't you ashamed of telling a lie about Allaah's Book and (along with this) you drink alcoholic liquors too?" Then he lashed him according to the law. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5001)]

Narrated Shaqeeq bin Salamah: Once `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood delivered a sermon before us and said, “By Allaah, I learnt over seventy Surahs directly from Allaah's Apostle. By Allaah, the companions of the Prophet came to know that I am one of those who know Allaah's Book best of all of them, yet I am not the best of them.” Shaqeeq added: I sat in his religious gathering while the other companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم were also present and I did not hear anybody opposing him (in his speech). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5000)]

Narrated `Abdullah ibn Mas`ood: When this verse was revealed: {There is no harm on persons who believe and perform good acts, what they had eaten (formerly) when they avoided it (now) and they affirmed their faith} up to the end. Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me: “You are one amongst them.” [Muslim]

`Alqamah said: A man who came to `Umar Ibn al-Khattab as he was standing on the plain of Arafat and said: ‘I have come, O Amir al-Mu’mineen, from Kufa where I left a man filling copies of the Qur’aan from memory.’ `Umar became very angry and paced up and down beside his camel, fuming. ‘Who is he?’ he asked. The man replied, ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood.’ `Umar's anger subsided and he regained his composure and said to the man: ‘Woe to you! By Allaah, I don't know of any person left who is more qualified in this matter than he is. `Umar continued: Let me tell you about this. One night the Messenger of Allaah   was having a conversation with Abu Bakr about the situation of Muslims. I was with them. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم left, we left with him also and as we passed through the mosque, there was a man standing in Prayer whom we did not recognize. The Prophet   stood and listened to him, then turned to us and said, “Whoever wants to read the Qur’aan as fresh as when it was revealed, then let him read according to the recitation of Ibn Umm `Abd.” After the Prayer, as `Abdullaah sat making supplications, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Ask and it will be given to you. Ask and it will be given to you.” I said to myself, I should go to `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood straight away and tell him the good news of the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم  ensuring acceptance of his supplications. I went and did so but found that Abu Bakr had gone before me and conveyed the good news to him. By Allaah, I have never yet beaten Abu Bakr in the doing of any good.’ [Musnad Ahmad (175), Authenticated by Shaikh Ahmad Shaakir. Also Authenticated by Shaikh Muqbil in al-Saheeh al-Musnad (993). Shaikh al-Albaanee  graded another chain as “Hasan” in al-Saheehah (5/379)]

HIS EXTREME PRECAUTION IN NARRATING HADEETH

`Amr bin Maimoon said: “I accompanied `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood for 18 months. I did not hear from him narrating from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم except for one Hadeeth.

`Amr bin Maimoon also said: “I used to visit Ibn Mas`ood every Thursday evening, but I never heard him saying: “Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said…”. So, when one night he uttered the words: “Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said…”, he lowered his head.” He (`Amr) said: “I looked at him and he was standing opening the knots of his lower cloak. His eyes were swelled up with tears and his jugular veins had swollen (out of fear) and he (Ibn Mas`ood) said: “(Perhaps) the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said something less or more than it or something near to it.”[Sunan Ibn Majah (23) and Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Ziyaad the freed slave of Ibn `Ayaash said: “Ibn Mas`ood used to beautify his voice while reciting al-Qur’aan.”

Zaid bin Wahb said: “I have seen with my own eyes two black lines (from the effects of tears on the face of) `Abdullaah due to his excessive crying.”

Hazeel bin Sharheel said: `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood said: “Whoever seeks the Hereafter, his Worldly pleasures gets affected. And whoever seeks the worldly pleasure his Hereafter is affected. O people! Choose the everlasting over that which will perish.” [Majmu` al-Zawaaid (10/252)]

HIS PHYSICAL FEATURES

Qais bin Abi Haazim said: “Ibn Mas`ood had little flesh on himself.” `Ubaidullaah said: “He was thin and short.”

Nuwaifa`, the freed slave of Ibn Mas`ood said: “Ibn Mas`ood used to wear the finest of white Thaob (dress) and used to use the best of perfumes.”

`Ali bin Abi Taalib said: “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had asked Ibn Mas`ood to climb a tree to get something for him. So when Ibn Mas`ood climbed the tree (in another narration: to get the siwaak), the companions saw `Abdullaah’s shins and laughed at the thinness of his shins. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘What are you laughing about? The legs of `Abdullaah will be the most heaviest in the scales on the Day of Judgment than anyone of you.’ [Musnad Ahmad (2/180), and Authenticated by Shaikh Ahmad Shaakir.  Shaikh al-Albaanee graded it “Hasan li ghairih” in al-Saheehah (7/584). A similar narration has been reported on the authority of Ibn Mas`ood and was authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee who said it is on the condition of Muslim, al-Saheehah (3192)]

HIS COURAGE

Al-A`mash said: “he was nice and a brave person.”

`Urwah bin al-Zubair said that the first one to recite the Qur’aan out loud after the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood.

Yahya bin `Urwah bin al-Zubair reported from his father: “The first one to recite the Qur’aan out loud in Makkah after the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood. The companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم were together one day in Makkah (they were still few in number, weak and oppressed). They said, ‘The Quraish have not yet heard the Qur’aan being recited openly and loudly. Who is the man who could recite it for them?’ `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood said: ‘I shall recite it for them.’ They said: ‘We are afraid for you. We only want someone who has a clan who would protect him from their evil.’ `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood said: ‘Let me go, Allaah shall protect me and keep me away from their evil.’ He then went out to the Masjid (Ka`bah) until he reached Maqaam Ibraaheem. It was dawn and the Quraish were sitting around the Ka`bah. `Abdullaah began to recite Surah al-Rahmaan. The Quraish looked at him intently and some of them asked: ‘What is Ibn Umm `Abd saying?’ The others said: ‘He is reciting some of what Muhammad brought!’ They began to slap his face but he continued reciting of what Allaah willed him to recite. When he concluded his recital, he went back to his companions and his face was covered with welts and blood. They said: ‘This is what we were afraid of.’ `Abdullaah said: ‘By Allaah! The enemies of Allaah are more uncomfortable than I am at this moment. If you wish, I shall return tomorrow and do the same.’ They said: ‘You have done enough; you have made them hear what they dislike.’ [Musnad Ahmad (1/379, 1/462)]

`Ikrimah reported that Ibn `Abbaas said: “There was no one left with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, on the day of Uhud, except the four, one of whom was Ibn Mas`ood.” [Al-Haithamee reported it in Majma` al-Zawaaid, and Ibn Hajar declared it ‘weak’ in Mukhtasar al-Bazzaar due to Yahya bin Salamah, in the chain and he is weak]

HIS END

`Ubaidullaah said: “Ibn Mas`ood died in Madeenah and was buried in al-Baqee` in the year 32 Hijri. He was slim and short.” And this is how most of the people wrote about him.

`Aun bin `Abdullaah said: “Ibn Mas`ood lived for 60+ years.”

Yahya bin `Utbah said: “He lived for 63 years.”

Some say, he died three years before `Uthmaan bin `Affaan was killed.

Ibn Mas`ood narrated 840 Ahaadeeth. Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim agreed upon 64 Hadeeth. Al-Bukhaaree individually reported 21 Hadeeth and Muslim individually reported 35 Hadeeth.

References:

الإصابة في تمييز الصحابة – لإبن الحجر الأسقلاني

أسد الغابة في معرفة الصحابة – لإبن الأثير

الاستيعاب في معرفة الأصحاب - لإبن عبد البر