The Companion Abdullah Ibn Masud

Islam Ibn Masud

He is Abu Abd al-Rahman Abdullah ibn Masud ibn Ghafil al-Hudhali, an ally of Banu Zahra, and was among the first Muslims; he was the sixth Muslim, and he migrated to Abyssinia twice and witnessed the Battle of Badr and the battles and raids with the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - and never missed a raid with him nor faltered in any scene or event.

He was known for his honesty before Islam, while he was herding sheep for Ibn Abi Mu'ayt, and Abdullah ibn Masud embraced Islam when he saw a miracle from the miracles of the Prophet Muhammad when he stroked the udder of a barren small sheep; the udder filled with milk, and the Prophet - peace be upon him - milked it; the Prophet, Abu Bakr, and Ibn Masud drank from it.

He was the most knowledgeable of the companions, the most reciter of the Quran, and the most memorizing, the Prophet stroked his head and said to him, "You are a taught boy," and he sought knowledge and proximity to the Prophet - peace be upon him - as he sought the knowledge of the Quran, and worked for that, so he got what he wanted and became a scholar, a jurist, and a reciter.

Characteristics of Ibn Masud

Abdullah ibn Masud was delicate in build, slender in legs, short in stature, not covered with much flesh, fragrant in smell, clean in dress, but with strong faith and firm certainty; piety was completed in him, so he was the closest to Allah - the Almighty - and some companions jokingly laughed once at the thinness of his legs; the Prophet - peace be upon him - gave him glad tidings that they are heavier in the balance with Allah than Mount Uhud.

Abdullah Ibn Masud Proximity to the Prophet

He reached virtue and status by being close to the Messenger of Allah - peace be upon him - carrying his sandals, Siwak (tooth-stick), and pillow, and accompanied him in residence and travel, so he was one of the Prophet's household - peace be upon him - by the testimony of the honorable companions, and was nicknamed the companion of the blackness; for what he concealed of the secret of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

And Allah raised his status and exalted his rank, and he was the closest of the companions in guidance and manners to the Prophet - peace be upon him - as the noble companion Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman - may Allah be pleased with him - said: "I do not know anyone closer in manners, guidance, and indication to the Prophet - peace be upon him - than Ibn Umm Abd".

The Knowledge of Ibn Mas'ud

He received the Quran directly from the mouth of the Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - until he had memorized seventy surahs, as he narrated about himself. He reached a high status in recitation and teaching and was among the most knowledgeable and skilled companions in hadith and Quran. The Prophet - peace be upon him - appointed him as one of the four reciters among the companions, along with Ubayy ibn Ka'b, Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifa, and Mu'adh ibn Jabal. He used to recite the Quran softly and gently as it was revealed.

He was the most knowledgeable among the companions about the Quran after the Prophet, peace be upon him. He knew where each surah was revealed, and he knew the context of each verse. Despite his knowledge, he was humble, and he had a beautiful voice that resonated like the buzzing of bees in his prayers and his night prayers. He was a man who wept out of fear of Allah, with two black lines on his cheeks from frequent weeping and fear.

The Bravery of Ibn Mas'ud

His frail body and thin legs were not weak enough to prevent him from proclaiming the Quran in the open areas of Mecca, challenging paganism and idolatry before the migration. He was the first to publicly recite the Quran after the Prophet with the opening of Surah Ar-Rahman. They gathered around him and beat him severely, but he endured it for the sake of Allah and promised to do the same the next morning.

He was the first to strike down the leader of disbelief and idolatry, Abu Jahl, in the Battle of Badr. Abu Jahl died under the feet of Ibn Mas'ud - may Allah be pleased with him. He was a brave man who stood firm in the truth and fought against falsehood.

Ibn Mas'ud as an Ambassador

The Caliph Umar sent him to Kufa as a teacher, educator, and jurist to narrate hadith and teach the Quran. He taught and influenced others, following the guidance of the noble Prophet in prayer, worship, knowledge, and the Quran.

Abu Abdur-Rahman al-Sulami learned the Quranic recitation from him, followed by 'Asim and then Hafs, which is the recitation most famous in the Muslim world. He gave beneficial advice that remained timeless, guiding Muslims throughout history.

The Wisdom of Ibn Mas'ud

He was a great preacher with wisdom and sound judgment. He did not see knowledge in those who narrated the most hadith but in those who were most God-fearing. He saw life as a temporary abode, wealth as a trust, and that the night and day were passing. He believed that deeds are what lead to Allah and that the righteous are the leaders, the jurists are the guides, and faith grows in their company.

He disliked trivial and idle people who had no purpose in this world or for the Hereafter. He saw prayer as knocking on the door of the King, and those who knock more frequently are likely to have it opened for them.

Abdullah Ibn Masud Wish in Tabuk

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud did not covet worldly gains, positions, or honors. One of his wishes during the Battle of Tabuk, when the Prophet buried Dhul-Bijadayn and was pleased with him, was to be in his place to receive the Prophet's prayers and approval. The greatest wish of Ibn Mas'ud was to accompany the noble Prophet in Paradise.

Ibn Mas'ud was not a man of wealth or prestige. Islam gave him piety when faith entered his heart, and he was content with Allah when the treasures of the Persian and Byzantine emperors were gathered. His strong will and determination contributed to changing the course of history. When he left what was perishable in the Hereafter and drew closer to the noble Prophet, he deserved to be remembered in history and became a symbol among the symbols of the world, unreachable by any of the notables.

The Death of Ibn Mas'ud

Ibn Mas'ud fell ill during the era of the third Rightly Guided Caliph, Uthman and was visited by their companions and followers, with Uthman at their forefront. While on his deathbed, he complained not of his illness but of his sins, and his only desire at that moment was for the mercy of his Lord. Thus, Ibn Mas'ud - may Allah be pleased with him - passed away and was buried in Al-Baqi'.

This occurred in the year thirty-two or thirty-three after the Hijra, after he had spent a blessed life contributing abundant knowledge, clear jurisprudence, and a tender recitation. Generations sing of his biography until the Day of Judgment, following his example in the Quran, as he built a strong edifice for the religion.