The Companion Anas ibn Malik
Anas ibn Malik's Lineage and Nickname
Anas ibn Malik ibn al-Nadr ibn Damdam ibn Zaid ibn Haram ibn Jundab ibn 'Amir ibn Ghanim ibn Malik ibn al-Najjār al-Ansari al-Nadri, and his mother was Umm Sulaim bint Mulhan ibn Khalid ibn Zaid from the Banu al-Najjār. He was commonly known as Abu Hamza. His grandfather, al-Najjār, whose name was Taymullah ibn Tha'labah ibn 'Amr ibn al-Khazraj, and his lineage traced back to Qaḥṭān.
His mother was the sister of his brother al-Bara'a ibn Malik. Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, was reported to have said: "If we are not from the Azd, then we are not from the Arabs," indicating his Azd lineage.
Anas ibn Malik Family Tree
Anas ibn Malik was a prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, known for his close service to the Prophet for ten continuous years starting from a young age. He was born in Yathrib (now Medina) around 612 CE and belonged to the Khazraj tribe, one of the two major Arab tribes in Medina. His father was Malik ibn Nadr, but not much is detailed about him in the historical records, and he is believed to have passed away early in Anas’s life.
Anas’s mother, Umm Sulaym (whose real name was Rumaysah bint Milhan), was a deeply pious woman and among the first in Medina to embrace Islam. After the death of her husband Malik, she devoted herself to raising Anas with strong Islamic values. When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Medina during the Hijrah, Umm Sulaym brought her young son Anas to him and offered his service, which the Prophet graciously accepted. Anas remained in the Prophet’s close company for a decade and became one of the most prolific narrators of hadith.
Later on, Umm Sulaym married Abu Talha al-Ansari, another well-respected companion of the Prophet. Through this marriage, Anas gained step-siblings, including Abdullah ibn Abi Talha. This blended family became known for its deep faith and contributions to the early Muslim community.
Anas ibn Malik eventually had children of his own. Among his known sons were Malik ibn Anas (not to be confused with the later Imam Malik, the founder of the Maliki school), Abu Hamza, and Muhammad ibn Anas. While Anas lived a long life—reportedly dying at the age of 103 in Basra, there is less detailed information about his descendants, though it is known that his lineage continued for some time.
Islamization of Anas ibn Malik
Anas ibn Malik was born during the pre-Islamic era, before the spread of Islam. He was living in Mecca before the migration of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. His father passed away shortly after the migration, angered by his wife's conversion to Islam.
Anas's mother, after his father's death, took responsibility for his upbringing. She taught him the two testimonies of faith from a young age, and he believed in the Prophet Muhammad without seeing him. His Islamization occurred in his youth, before the Prophet's migration to Medina.
Anas's Service and Dedication to the Prophet
After the migration of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina, Anas's mother presented him to the Prophet to serve him. Anas had the honor of serving the Prophet Muhammad, learning from him, and being brought up under his guidance for ten years.
Throughout this time, Anas served the Prophet diligently, and the Prophet treated him with kindness and affection, resembling a father-son relationship. The Prophet entrusted Anas with some of his secrets, and Anas, in turn, remained faithful to him, even after the Prophet's passing.
Characteristics and Jihad of Anas ibn Malik
Anas participated in various battles and expeditions during and after the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, despite not being able to participate in the battle of Badr and the battle of Uhud due to his young age.
He witnessed pivotal events in Islamic history, including the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and the Pledge of the Tree. Anas's dedication to both armed and intellectual jihad led him to become one of the prominent narrators of hadith, passing on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad to future generations.
Anas ibn Malik's Scholarly Life
Anas - may Allah be pleased with him - transitioned from armed jihad to intellectual and ideological jihad, becoming one of the major narrators of hadith. He undertook this task because he received it directly from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, memorized it, learned it from him, and was one of the pivotal preservers of the Sunnah due to his extensive companionship with the Messenger of Allah and his long lifespan. This enabled him to teach people and establish a group of scholars in Basra, such as al-Hasan al-Basri and Muhammad ibn Sirin, who had a significant impact on Islamic history.
Anas also learned the Sunnah of the noble companions, embarked on journeys in pursuit of knowledge, and remained both a learner and a teacher. He stood against those with corrupt beliefs in Iraq, and due to his devoutness in knowledge, he refrained from issuing new verdicts in the latter part of his life. Because of his close association with the Prophet - peace be upon him - he became one of the most prolific narrators of hadith among the noble companions, transmitting two thousand two hundred and eighty-six hadiths.
Anas's Academic Contributions and Death
Anas transitioned from physical jihad to intellectual and scholarly pursuits, becoming one of the foremost narrators of hadith. He played a significant role in preserving and disseminating the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Anas passed away in Basra at the age of over a hundred, leaving behind a legacy of knowledge and devotion to Islam.
The exact year of his death is debated among scholars, but it is widely agreed that he lived a long and impactful life dedicated to the service of Allah and His Messenger.
