The Great Companions – Abdurrahman Ibn Awf R.A

A Glimpse in to the life, merits and qualities of a great companion of our beloved Nabi ﷺ, Abdurrahman Ibn Awf رضي الله عنه

Listen to “Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf رضي الله عنه ” by Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib

Who is Abdurrahman Ibn Awf رضي الله عنه ?

Name: Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf رضي الله عنه
Title: Sayyidul Muslimeen
Born: 10 years after the birth of our beloved Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam (42 BH)
Demise: 22 years after the demise of our beloved Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam (33 AH)

● Abdur Rahman radhiyallahu anhu the son of Awf and Shifa, was a successful businessman who was an extremely generous and courageous companion of our beloved Nabi ﷺ.

● He was from the Banu Zuhrah tribe, a prominent tribe from the clan of Quraysh

● His name during the before Islam was Abd Amr (slave of Amr) and Abd al-Ka’bah. When he accepted Islam, our beloved Nabi ﷺ changed it to Abdur Rahman.

● He accepted Islam in the very early days of Islam, through the invitation of Abu bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه. He was among the first 8 people to accept Islam.

● He was among those Sahabah who were fortunate to complete two Hijrah; first to Habashah and then to Madeenah al-Munawwarah

● Abdur Rahman رضي الله عنه is among the Asharah Mubasharah (the 10 sahaba who were promised Jannah) and also had the honour to participate in all the battles during his lifetime.

● His position can be understood from the battle of tabuk, during which he led our beloved nabi ﷺ in salah.

● He was among the wealthiest companions but despite this, he was extremely generous and was very selfless. He spent much of his wealth in the path of Allah to acquire His pleasure

● During the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه, he was among the six people chosen to choose the next khalifah after his death.

●After our beloved Nabi ﷺ passed away, Abdur Rahman ibn Awf رضي الله عنه took the responsibility of looking after the family of our beloved Nabi ﷺ

●He passed away at the age of 75 and is buried in Jannat ul Baqi in Madeenah al-Munawwarah.

Qualities:

1) Intelligence – Abdur Rahman ibn Awf radhiyallahu anhu was a very intelligent and wise companion but remained humble and devoted to our beloved Nabi ﷺ.

2) Generous – He put his wealth to great use by freely spending on the Muslims and helping Islam. He looked and searched for opportunities to spend.

Did you know? He was so generous that just in one day he freed 30 slaves and it is mentioned that the total number of slaves he freed was 30 000!

3) Reliance on Allah Ta’ala – After migrating to Madeenah al-Munawwarah he had no wealth, however, he put his reliance on Allah Ta’ala and refused to take help. This reliance quickly paid off as he became very wealthy through business ventures.

4) Humble and Allah-fearing – He did not let wealth make him proud. Rather he would remain fearful of Allah Ta’ala and worried if all Allah Ta’ala was giving him in this world was resulting in him getting less in the Hereafter.

5) Piety and integrity – He was known for his obedience and Sahabah would speak highly of the pure and halal nature of his earnings. He was well-trusted which is why he was chosen to be a part of a small committee to decide on the successor to Umar radhiyallahu anhu.

Merits:

1) Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf radhiyallahu anhu was leading a congregation in which our beloved Nabi ﷺ joined in. He wished to move back but our beloved Nabi ﷺ instructed him to carry on.

2) Nabi ﷺ said to one of his wives. He who generously helps you after my demise is a sincere believer and a kind man. (Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf radhiyallahu anhu was this man)

3) Our beloved Nabi ﷺ also said: ‘O Allah! Let Abdur Rahman drink from the Salsabeel of Jannah (Salsabeel – a pure and clean spring in Jannah).

4) Our beloved Nabi ﷺ while mentioning the companions of Jannah said, ‘Abdur Rahman is from Jannah.’

Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf ‘s رضي الله عنه independence and the Sunnah of walimah

Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf radhiyallahu anhu narrates the following, “When we came to Madeenah as migrants, Allah’s Nabi ﷺ established a bond of brotherhood between me and Sad bin Ar-Rabi radhiyallahu anhu. Sad bin Ar-Rabi radhiyallahu anhu said (to me), ‘I am the richest among the Ansar, so I will give you half of my wealth and you may look at my two wives and whichever of the two you may choose I will divorce her, and when she has completed the prescribed period (iddat before marriage) you may marry her.’ Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf radhiyallahu anhu replied, “I am not in need of this. Is there any market-place where trade is practiced?’ He replied, “The market of Qainuqa.” Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf radhiyallahu anhu went to that market the following day and brought some dried butter-milk (yoghurt) and butter, and then he continued going there regularly. A few days later, ‘Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf radhiyallahu anhu came having traces of yellow (scent) on his body. Allah’s Nabi ﷺ asked him whether he had got married. He replied in the saying yes. our beloved Nabiﷺ said to him, ‘Whom have you married?’ He replied, ‘A woman from the Ansar.’ Then our beloved Nabiﷺ asked, ‘How much did you pay her?’ He replied, ‘(I gave her) a gold piece equal in weighing to a date stone. Nabi ﷺ said, ‘Give a Walima (wedding banquet) even if with one sheep.’