Zayd ibn Thabit

Lineage and Family of Zayd ibn Thabit

Zayd ibn Thabit was a distinguished companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His full lineage is Zayd ibn Thabit ibn Al-Dhahhak ibn Zayd ibn Lu'dhan ibn Amr ibn Abd Awf ibn Ghanm ibn Malik ibn Al-Najjar ibn Tha‘labah.

He belonged to the tribe of Banu Al-Najjar, a respected clan from the Ansar in Madinah. It is reported that he had two kunyas (honorific titles): Abu Sa‘id and Abu Kharijah.

Zayd ibn Thabit had a family of his own and was blessed with children. His known sons were: Ibrahim, Abdul Rahman, and Muhammad. He also had a daughter named Umm Al-Hasan.

Zayd ibn Thabit's Expertise in Inheritance Law and His Legal Opinions

The esteemed companion Zayd was particularly renowned for his profound understanding of inheritance law (Islamic jurisprudence about inheritance), and his legal opinions (fatwas) on this matter were highly regarded. Zayd excelled in comprehending this aspect of knowledge, which is considered half of all knowledge.

This is because knowledge can be categorized into that which applies to the living and that which applies to the deceased. Inheritance law falls under the latter category, while legal opinions on inheritance relate to some aspects of the former. Some have even said that inheritance law is the first knowledge to be lost from a community, leading to widespread ignorance in this regard. The esteemed companion Zayd ibn Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, was dedicated to learning the knowledge of inheritance law (Islamic jurisprudence of inheritance) and legal opinions (fatwas) until he mastered it. He was keen on recording it, for it was said that had he not written it down, it would have been lost to documentation.

Zayd ibn Thabit's Role in Transcribing Revelations during the Prophet's Era

Zayd ibn Thabit, the revered companion, was among the Sahaba who learned writing from the Quraysh captives during the Battle of Badr as a means for those unable to ransom themselves with money. At that time, he was no more than twelve years old. His proficiency in writing earned him the responsibility of transcribing divine revelations, despite his youth, owing to his trustworthiness in the eyes of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.

Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, was the most prolific companion in transcribing revelations and composing letters. It is said that Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib were also among those who transcribed revelations. If they were absent, then Zayd ibn Thabit and Ubayy ibn Ka'b, may Allah be pleased with them, would take over.

Zaid ibn Thabit's Compilation of the Quran during Abu Bakr's Era

The Caliph Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq wrote to Zaid ibn Thabit, informing him of the martyrdom of prominent Quranic memorizers in the Battle of Yamama. He also mentioned Omar ibn Al-Khattab's suggestion to compile the Quran, fearing its loss, and to demonstrate how receptive he was to Omar's opinion. He assured Zaid of his trustworthiness in safeguarding the Quran, commanding him to gather all Quranic texts from the companions into one place.

Zaid ibn Thabit hesitated initially due to the weight of responsibility and the fact that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, had not undertaken such an endeavor before. Abu Bakr repeatedly consulted Zaid until acceptance settled in his heart.

Zaid ibn Thabit's Appointment as Deputy to Sham

Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab used to appoint Zaid ibn Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, as his deputy during his pilgrimage journeys. He appointed him three times: twice during his pilgrimage journeys and once when he traveled to Sham (Greater Syria). Similarly, Caliph Uthman ibn Affan would appoint Zaid as his deputy during his pilgrimage journeys.

Death of Zaid ibn Thabit

Zaid ibn Thabit passed away before sunset. The opinion of the Ansar (residents of Medina who supported Prophet Muhammad) was to bury him in the morning, contrary to the opinion of Zaid ibn Kharijah, who suggested burying him before dawn. He was washed with water, then with sidr (a type of plant), and finally with camphor. He was shrouded in three garments. Some say he passed away in the year forty-five after Hijra (migration to Medina), while others claim it was in the year fifty-five after Hijra.