Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf

The Conversion of Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf to Islam

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, also known as Abu Muhammad, was the son of Awf ibn Abd al-Harith. He had several names during the pre-Islamic era, including Abd Umar, Abd al-Kaaba, and Abd al-Harith. However, after his conversion to Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) called him Abd al-Rahman.

He embraced Islam at the hands of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) and was among the companions who accepted Islam before the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered the house of Al-Arqam. He also played a significant role in the conversion of many other companions, including Uthman ibn Affan, Az-Zubair ibn Al-Awam, and Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with them all).

After accepting Islam, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf migrated twice. Upon reaching Medina, he became close to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and formed a brotherhood with Sa'ad ibn Ar-Rabi (may Allah be pleased with both of them). He participated in all the events and battles led by the Prophet, notably standing firm alongside the Prophet during the Battle of Uhud, not fleeing as some others did during that battle.

Migration of Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf migrated to Medina. The first migration that took place in Islam was the migration to Medina, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf was among those who hurried to respond to the call from the people of Banu Zuhra. He was one of the emigrants who participated in both migrations to Abyssinia and to Medina.

He also migrated to Abyssinia a second time along with Amir ibn Abi Waqqas. The Prophet (peace be upon him) established a brotherhood between Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf and Uthman ibn Affan in Mecca and between him and Sa'ad ibn Ar-Rabi in Medina.

The Brotherhood between Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf and Saad ibn Ar-Rabi

Brotherhood (Mu'akhah) is one of the actions undertaken by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Mecca before the migration to Medina and continued after the migration. There is no conflict between the brotherhood established in Mecca and that in Medina. One of the notable incidents in the context of brotherhood is the interaction between Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf and Saad ibn Ar-Rabi. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) established a brotherhood between them, Saad offered to share half of his wealth with Abd al-Rahman and to divorce his two wives so that Abd al-Rahman could marry them. However, Abd al-Rahman declined this offer and instead invoked blessings upon Saad. He asked Saad to guide him to the market, and when he returned, he had some milk and ghee with him. Afterward, he got married and provided a feast of roasted meat to implement what the Prophet had advised.

This incident demonstrates Abd al-Rahman's selflessness and his preference for earning through his own efforts and hard work, along with his trust in Allah's provision. Allah rewarded him and blessed him from His bounty. This also illustrates how Islam encourages giving and extending a helping hand to fellow Muslim brothers. Brotherhood among Muslims serves as an example of their unity, based on shared faith, belief, purpose, and leadership, making them as if they were one heart.

Stories of Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf in Jihad

1. Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf in the Great Battle of Badr

During the Battle of Badr, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf stood in the ranks alongside two young Ansar boys of tender age. He wished he had been placed between two stronger and more experienced men. When he overheard these young boys expressing their desire to kill Abu Jahl due to his insults towards the Prophet (peace be upon him), Abd al-Rahman marveled at their courage and strength. He gestured to them, affirming that the man they were talking about was Abu Jahl. The two young boys hurriedly made their way to him and killed him. Afterward, they returned to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to inform him of their deed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked them, "Did you both strike your swords?" He examined their swords to determine which one had been more deeply soaked in blood and learned that both of them had participated equally in the killing.

In the pre-Islamic period, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf had a friendship with Umayyah ibn Khalaf. When Abd al-Rahman embraced Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him) changed his name, Umayyah criticized the change, saying, "You preferred a name that your two fathers did not choose for you; Abd al-Rahman agreed, and they decided to call him "Abd al-Ilah" instead. But when Abd al-Rahman shouted for him using his original name during the Battle of Badr, he did not respond. When the Battle of Badr began, Abd al-Rahman took Umayyah and his son away to prevent other Muslims from killing them. However, Bilal ibn Rabah recognized Umayyah and shouted for him to be killed. Umayyah replied, "I am not saved even if I escape; Abd al-Rahman tried to protect them, but Bilal and his companions surrounded them until they cut off their flesh with swords. Abd al-Rahman exclaimed, "May Allah have mercy on Bilal".

2. Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf in the Battle of Uhud

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf played a significant role in the Battle of Uhud. He was among those who stood firm with the Prophet (peace be upon him) on the day of Uhud when many people fled. He displayed tremendous courage and resilience in the battle. He sustained a total of twenty-one wounds on his body as he fought valiantly. Additionally, he was wounded in the leg, causing some of its tendons to be severed. During the battle, he killed Asid ibn Abi Talha and Klab ibn Abi Talha. Despite his injuries, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf continued to fight, limping due to his leg injury, until he eventually succumbed to his wounds and passed away.

3. Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf's Participation in the Campaigns with the Prophet

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf actively participated in all of the campaigns alongside the Prophet (peace be upon him). He was present in various campaigns, including the Campaign against Bani Nadir, the Battle of the Trench (Al-Khandaq), the Campaign against Bani al-Mustaliq (also known as the Campaign of Al-Muraysi), and the Campaign against Bani Qurayzah. During the Campaign against Bani Qurayzah, he gave the Prophet two horses, and he gave one horse to his companion.

Abd al-Rahman also took part in the Campaign of Dhil Qa'dah, the Conquest of Mecca (Fath Mecca), and the Campaign of Hunayn. On the day of the Conquest of Mecca, he was among the affluent individuals, and he contributed camels from Madinah for the sacrificial offerings. He returned to Madinah with the Prophet (peace be upon him) after the campaign.

Additionally, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf witnessed the peace treaty negotiations between the Muslims and the Quraysh at Hudaybiyyah. He also participated in the Khaybar campaign and held a leadership role.

Furthermore, he was part of the Battle of Hunayn and the siege of Ta'if. During the conquest of Ta'if, he acquired a woman from the captives who belonged to the Hawazin tribe. When the Prophet ordered the return of the captives, Abd al-Rahman returned the woman to her people. He also joined the battle of Tabuk, during which the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed behind Abd al-Rahman for the Fajr prayer.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf's unwavering commitment to the Prophet Muhammad and his active participation in these campaigns exemplify his dedication to the cause of Islam and the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

4. Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf in the Expedition to Dumat al-Jandal

The Prophet (peace be upon him) appointed Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf as the leader of an expedition to Dumat al-Jandal, with the mission to fight against the tribe of Bani Kalb. He was instructed that if Allah granted them victory, he should marry the daughter of their king. Abd al-Rahman spent three days inviting them to Islam and succeeded in converting many of them to Islam. Among those who embraced Islam under his leadership was Al-Asbagh ibn Amr al-Kalbi, who was originally a Christian.

Abd al-Rahman then married Tamadur, the daughter of Al-Asbagh, and brought her to Medina. She later gave birth to Abu Salama, the son of Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf. Abd al-Rahman successfully fulfilled the Prophet's instructions during this expedition, achieving significant success in spreading the message of Islam and building alliances through marriage.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf during the Caliphates

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf played significant roles during the caliphates of both Umar ibn al-Khattab and Uthman ibn Affan.

Under the Caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab

During the caliphate of Umar, he was given the responsibility to lead an expedition to Dumat al-Jandal to fight against the Bani Kalb tribe. He was also instructed by the Prophet to marry the daughter of their king if victory was achieved. Abd al-Rahman successfully spread the message of Islam in the region, and many people embraced Islam under his leadership.

Umar valued Abd al-Rahman's wisdom and trustworthiness. When Umar faced a situation during his leadership that required consultation, he sought advice from Abd al-Rahman, recognizing him as "the truthful, the trustworthy;

Under the Caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan

When Umar's caliphate came to an end, he had sustained injuries from an assassination attempt, and his health began to deteriorate. The companions requested that he appoint a successor, but he initially declined. Instead, he chose a council of six prominent companions for consultation, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf was one of them. They were all known to be promised Paradise by the Prophet. After their consultation, Umar eventually accepted their recommendation to appoint a caliph.

Following Umar's death, the caliphate was handed over to Uthman ibn Affan. Abd al-Rahman continued to play an active role during Uthman's rule. He was entrusted with leading the pilgrimage (Hajj) in the year 24 AH.

Abd al-Rahman's prominent role in these caliphates highlights his stature among the early Muslims and the trust they placed in him for his wisdom, integrity, and commitment to Islam.

The Death of Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, may Allah be pleased with him, passed away in Medina in the 31st year of the Hijra. He was approximately seventy-five years old at the time, as Ibn al-Athir mentioned in his book. Al-Waqidi reported that he passed away in the 32nd year of the Hijra at the age of seventy-five. Abu al-Yaqzan stated that he died during the caliphate of Uthman.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf was the last of the ten companions who promised paradise to pass away. Various opinions exist regarding his age at the time of his death, with estimates ranging from seventy-two to eighty-eight.

He was buried in the Baqi' Cemetery. Upon his death, four wives survived him, and each received a share of his inheritance, which amounted to eighty thousand or more. When he fell seriously ill, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, sent a message to him requesting that he be buried in her chamber, alongside the Prophet, Abu Bakr, and Umar, to which he declined in order to avoid constricting her living space. Instead, he made arrangements with Ibn Maz'un to be buried beside one another.