‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)

Source:

• Companions of the Prophet by Abdul Wahid Hamid
• As-haab ar-Rasool (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), compiled by Mahmoud Masri

His Islam

He was one of the first eight persons to accept Islam. He was one of the ten persons (al-‘Asharatu-l mubash-shirin) who were assured of entering Paradise by the noble Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He was one of the six persons chosen by ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) to form the council of Shura to choose the Khalifah after his death. He was one of the foremost in the Battle of Badr.

His name in Jahiliyyah days was ‘Abdu ‘Amr. But when he accepted Islam, the noble Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) called him ‘Abdur-Rahmaan – the servant of the Beneficent (Allaah).

‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) became a Muslim before the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) entered the house of al-Arqam. He was one of the eight Companions who hastened to embrace Islam. In fact, it is said that he accepted Islam only two days after Abu Bakr as-Siddique (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). [As-Siyar]

‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) did not escape the punishment which the early Muslims suffered at the hands of the Quraish. He bore this punishment with steadfastness, as they did and he remained firm as they did. When they were compelled to leave Makkah for Abyssinia because of the continuous and unbearable persecution, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) went also. He returned to Makkah when it was rumored that conditions for the Muslims had improved, but when these rumors proved to be false, he left again for Abyssinia on a second Hijrah. He later returned to Makkah again from where he made the Hijrah to Madinah.

His Chastity

Soon after arriving in Madinah, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), in his unique manner, began pairing off the Muhajireen and the Ansaar. This established a firm bond of brotherhood and was meant to strengthen social cohesion and ease the destitution of the Muhajireen. ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was linked by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) with Sa’d ibn ar-Rabi’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Sa’d, in the spirit of generosity and magnanimity with which the Ansaar greeted the Muhajireen, said to ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu):

“My brother! Among the people of Madinah I have the most wealth. I have two orchards and I have two wives. See which of the two orchards you like and I shall vacate it for you and which of my two wives is pleasing to you and I will divorce her for you.”

‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) must have been embarrassed and said in reply: “May Allaah bless you in your family and your wealth. But just show me where the Suq (market-place) is.” [Al-Bukhaari]

‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) went to the market-place and began trading with whatever little resources he had. He bought and sold and his profits grew rapidly. Soon he was sufficiently well off and was able to get married. He went to the noble Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) with the scent of perfume lingering over him.

“Mahyam, O ‘Abdur-Rahmaan!” exclaimed the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) – “Mahyam” being a word of Yemeni origin which indicates pleasant surprise.

“I got married,” replied ‘Abdur-Rahmaan.

“And what did you give your wife as Mahr?”

“The weight of a nuwat^[[1]] in gold.”

“You must have a Waleemah (wedding feast) even if it is with a single sheep. And may Allaah bless you in your wealth,” said the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) with obvious pleasure and encouragement. [Al-Bukhaari]

Thereafter ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)  grew so accustomed to business success that he said if he lifted a stone he expected to find gold or silver under it!

His Spending in the Cause of Allaah

‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) distinguished himself in both the battles of Badr and Uhud. At Uhud he remained firm throughout and suffered more than twenty wounds, some of them deep and severe. Even so, his physical Jihad was matched by his Jihad with his wealth.

Once the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was preparing to dispatch an expeditionary force whereby he summoned his Companions and said:

“Contribute Sadaqah for I want to dispatch an expedition.”

‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) went to his house and quickly returned. “O Messenger of Allaah,” he said: “I have four thousand (dinars). I give two thousand as a Qard (loan) to my Lord and two thousand I leave for my family.”

Most of ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) wealth was earned from commerce and he gave half of his money in charity during the lifetime of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He also gave forty thousand dinar and prepared 500 horses and 500 camels in the Cause of Allaah. It is said that he freed 30 slaves in one day. [Al-Isaabah by Ibn Hajar]

Talha ibn  ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Awf said: ” The people of Madinah were children to ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf. He used to give his money to one third of them as a loan; he would settle up debts (loans) for one third of them, and one third was for his family and relatives.” [As-Siyar]

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The best among you are the ones who will be good to my family after my death.“ Abu Salamah (sub-narrator) said: “‘Abdur Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf sold a garden for four hundred thousand and distributed it among the wives of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).” [Al-Haakim]

When the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) passed away, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) took on the responsibility of looking after the needs of his family, the Ummahaat al-Mu’minin. He accompanied them wherever they wanted to and he even performed Hajj with them to ensure that all their needs were met. This is a sign of the trust and confidence which he enjoyed on the part of the Prophet’s family.

‘Abdur-Rahmaan’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) support for the Muslims and the Prophet’s wives in particular was well-known. Once he sold a piece of land for forty thousand dinars and he distributed the entire amount among the Banu Zahrah (the relatives of the Prophet’s mother Aaminah), the poor among the Muslims and the Prophet’s wives. When ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) received some of this money she asked:

“Who has sent this money?” and was told it was ‘Abdur-Rahmaan, whereupon she said:

“The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

‘No one will feel compassion towards you after I die except the one who is truthful and righteous. O Allaah, give ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf to drink from the water of Salsabeel (a spring) in Jannah.‘” [Ahmad and at-Tabarani]

The prayer of the noble Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), that Allaah should bestow Barakah on the wealth of ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) appeared to be with ‘Abdur-Rahmaan throughout his life. He became the richest man among the Companions of the Prophet. His business transactions invariably met with success and his wealth continued to grow. His trading caravans to and from Madinah grew larger and larger, bringing to the people of Madinah wheat, flour, butter, cloth, utensils, perfume and whatever else was needed, and exporting whatever surplus produce they had.

His Merits

The Muslim army eventually left for Tabuk. There ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was blessed with an honor which was not conferred on anyone till then. The time of Salaat (prayer) came and the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was not there at the time. The Muslims chose ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as their Imaam. The first Rak’aat of the Salaat was almost completed when the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) joined the worshippers and performed the Salaat behind ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Could there be a greater honor conferred on anyone than to have been the Imaam of the most honored of Allaah’s creation, the Imaam of the Prophets, the Imaam of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allaah!

Of his merits that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) testified for him with Paradise: He was one of the people of Badr regarding whom the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Perhaps Allaah looked at those who attended Badr and said: ‘O people of Badr, do what you will, for I have forgiven you.’“ [Al-Bukhaari, Muslim, Abu Dawoud, and An-Nasa’i]

He was one of those about whom Allaah said in Surat al-Fat-h (48:18):

“Indeed, Allaah was pleased with the believers when they gave the Bai’aa (pledge) to you (O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts.”

Abu Sa’eid al-Khudri (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “A conflict happened between Khalid ibn al-Waleed and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma). Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) abused ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Do not abuse my Companions, for if one of you were to spend gold equal to Uhud (mountain) in Allaah’s Cause, it would not be equal to a mudd (two thirds of a kilogram) or even half a mudd spent by one of them.’“ [Al-Bukhaari]

Sa’eid ibn Zaid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was on Mount Hira’ and with him were Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan, ‘Ali, Talha, Az-Zubair, Sa’d and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum). He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Be Firm, O Hira’! For on you, there is no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq or a martyr.” [Ahmad, Abu Dawoud and at-Tirmidhi]

‘Abdur-Rahmaan’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) generosity did not stop there. He continued giving with both his hands, secretly and openly. Some of the figures mentioned are truly astounding: forty thousand dirhams of silver, forty thousand dinars of gold, two hundred Awqiyyah of gold, five hundred horses to Mujahidin setting out in the path of Allaah and one thousand five hundred camels to another group of Mujahidin, four hundred dinars of gold to the survivors of Badr and a large legacy to the Ummahaat al-Mu’minin and the list goes on.

His Humbleness and Asceticism

All this wealth did not corrupt ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and it did not change him. When he was among his workers and assistants, people could not distinguish him from them. One day food was brought to him with which to break his fast. He looked at the food and said:

“Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr has been killed. He was better than me. He was shrouded with Burda; if his head was covered his feet became bare (uncovered) and vice versa. Then Allaah endowed us with (the bounties of) the world. We really fear that our reward has been bestowed on us early (in this world).” He began to cry and sob and could not eat. [Al-Bukhaari]

May ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) be granted felicity among “Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allaah and follow up not their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury; their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.” [Surat al-Baqarah 2: 262]

His Call to Allaah

Ad-Darqutni reported that Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) called ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and said: “Be prepared, I am sending you on an expedition.“ In this Hadeeth, it is mentioned that ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), together with some Companions, left on this expedition to Dawmat-al-Jandal. They (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum) entered it and for three days they called its people to Islam. On the third day, their Chieftain, al-Asbagh ibn ‘Amr al-Kalbi (who was Christian), embraced Islam. ‘Abdur-Rahmaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) sent a letter with a man (Rafi’ ibn Makeeth) from the Juhainah tribe to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) informing him of the event. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wrote to him in return telling him to marry the daughter of al-Asbagh, and he did. She was Tamadur, who gave birth to his son, Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan. [Al-Isaabah fee Treaham as-Sahabah]

His End

He (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) passed away at the age of 75 in the year 32 AH and was buried in al-Baqee’ where ‘Uthmaan offered the funeral prayer for him.

It was reported that ‘Abdur-Rahmaan became unconscious in his final sickness and his family thought he had died; but he woke up saying the Takbeer, “Allaahu Akbar” and his family said the Takbeer with him. He asked them: “Did I become unconscious?” They said: “Yes.” He (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “You are true! Two harsh and rude men told me (while I was unconscious): ‘Let us take you to Al-Azeez al-Ameen to judge you.’ So they took me and on the way, they met a man. He asked them, ‘Where are you taking him?’ They said: ‘To Al-Azeez al-Ameen to judge him.’ He (the man) said: ‘Go back. He is one of those whom Allaah has written for him, happiness and forgiveness while they were in the wombs of their mothers. His children will enjoy his companionship for as long as Allaah wills.’ And he recovered and lived for one month after this event.” [Reported by Al-Haakim and Ibn Sa’ad]