ABD-UR-RAHMAAN IBN 'AWF (MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM)Abd-ur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf in addition to being one of the ten companions(al-asharatu-l mubashshirin)who were given the glad tidings of Paradise during their lifetimes by Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and was also one of the first eight companions to embrace Islam and one of the five companions who entered into Islam on the hands of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq. He also immigrated to Ethiopia (in order to escape the persecution of the disbelievers in Makkah) and afterwards to Madina. And Abd-ur-Rahman ibn 'Awf fought alongside the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him in all of the battles including the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud. [1]
Brief biographyHe was one of the six persons chosen by Umar to form the council of shura to choose the Khalifah after his death. His name in Jahiliyyah days was Abu Amr. But when he accepted Islam the noble Prophet called him Abdur-Rahman - the servant of the Beneficent God. Abdur-Rahman distinguished himself in both the battles of Badr and Uhud, suffering more than twenty wounds at the latter.
Starting with nothing, he went on to enjoy tremendous success as a merchant, becoming the richest of the Companions. From his great wealth, Abdur-Rahman financed the Muslim armies, contributed to the upkeep of the family of Mohammed after the prophet's death and was universally renowned for his fabulous generosity.
‘Abdul-Rahman bin ‘Awf was one of the elite and chosen Companions as regards to truthfulness of belief, sincerity of the creed, fighting in the way of Allah and spending for the sake of Him. He was a religious scholar, and the Companions (R) used to believe what he narrated from Allah’s Messenger (SAW). He had a profound religious knowledge and was a gifted teacher. He feared Allah much, even though he was one of the ten who was given the glad tidings of Paradise. He was present in all the battles. On the day of Uhud, when the Muslims fled except a few warriors, he was among those who remained to defend Allah’s Messenger (SAW). He was generous and openhanded without worrying about poverty. Even an ayath was revealed for him(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:262). He earned his wealth as a trader. He supported the Mothers of the believers a lot. Once Aisha (R) said: “May Allah the Almighty give ‘Abdul-Rahman bin ‘Awf from the sweet waters of Salsabil in Paradise.” His wealth increased due to the fact that: “Giving charity purifies, and augments the wealth of the giver.” He used to rely on Allah first, and then his own efforts. Muhammad (SAW) said that he was one of the most excellent Muslims. [2]
The Virtues Of Abd-Ur-Rahmaan Ibn 'AwfFrom the virtues of Abd-ur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf is that the Prophet peace be upon him prayed behind him during one of his travels. Additionally, Abd-ur-Rahmaan used to spend generously in the cause of Allah so much so that he once freed thirty-one slaves in one day.
In a hadith narrated upon the authority of Anas ibn Maalik (May Allah be pleased with him) who said:
"Abd-ur-Rahmaan ibn Awf came (from Makkah to Medina) and the Prophet peace be upon him made a bond of brotherhood between him and Sa'd ibn Ar-Rabi' Al-Ansaari. Al-Ansaari had two wives, so he suggested that Abd-ur-Rahmaan take half of his wives and property. Abd-ur-Rahmaan replied: 'May Allah bless you with your wives and property. Kindly show me the market.' So Abd-ur-Rahmaan went to the market and gained (through bargaining) some dried yogurt and some butter. After a few days the Prophet peace be upon him saw Abd-ur-Rahmaan with some yellow stains on his clothes and asked him: 'What is that, O Abd-ur-Rahmaan?' He replied: 'I have married an Ansaari woman.' The Prophet asked: 'How much Mahr (dowry) did you give her?' He replied: 'The weight of one (date) stone of gold.' The Prophet said: 'Offer a banquet, even with one sheep.'"
In another hadith, narrated upon the authority of Abd-ur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf (May Allah be pleased with him) who said:
"Abu Bakr is in Paradise, and 'Umar is in Paradise, and 'Uthmaan is in Paradise, and 'Ali is in Paradise, and Talha is in Paradise, and Az-Zubair is in Paradise, and Abd-ur-Rahmaan ibn 'Auf is in Paradise, and Sa'eed ibn Abee Waqqaas is in Paradise, and Sa'eed ibn Zaid is in Paradise, and Abu 'Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarraah is in Paradise."
And in another hadith, narrated upon the authority of Abu Salama ibn Abd-ur-Rahmaan (May Allah be pleased with him) who said:
Abd-ur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf bequeathed a garden to the (wives of the Prophet) Mothers of the Believers that was sold for four hundred thousand. [3]
Full Name'Abd ar-Rahman bin 'Awf b. 'Abd 'Awf b. 'Abd b. al-Harith b. Zuhrah b. Kilab b. Murrah b. Ka'b
Parents'Awf b. 'Abd 'Awf b. 'Abd b. al-Harith / al-Shifa' bint 'Awf
SiblingsAtika bint 'Awf, al-Shifa' bint 'Awf, 'Abdullah Ibn 'Awf, Halah bint 'Awf
Birth Date/Place~43 BH/580 CE (est.) (Makkah)
Death Date/Place32 AH/654 CE (Medianh)[ Natural ], at the age of 72
Places of StayMakkah/Abyssinia/Medinah
Area of InterestRecitation/Quran, Narrator [ ع - صحابة ], Commander
Spouse(s)Umm Kulthum bint 'Utba b. Rabi'a, Umm Kulthum bint 'Uqba etc.
ChildrenSalim, Muhammad bin 'Abdur-Rahman, Ibrahim bin 'Abdur Rahman, Humaid bin 'Abdur Rahman, Isma'il, Hamida, Ammatur Rahman, Ma'n, 'Umar bin 'Abdur Rahman bin Awf, Zayd bin 'Abdur Rahman, Ammatur Rahman, 'Urwa (Akbar) bin 'Abdur Rahman, Salim(Asghar) bin 'Abdur Rahman, Abu Bakr bin 'Abdur Rahman, 'Abdullah bin 'Abdur Rahman, Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman, 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Abdur Rahman, Mus'ub bin 'Abdur Rahman, Suhayl, Jawayriya
Teachers/Narrated FromMuhammad (saw), 'Umar ibn al-Khattab
Students/Narrated ByIbrahim bin 'Abdur Rahman, Humaid bin 'Abdur Rahman, 'Umar bin 'Abdur Rahman bin Awf, Mus'ub bin 'Abdur Rahman, Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman, al-Maswar bin Ibrahim, al-Miswar bin Makhrama bin Nawfal, ibn Abbas, ibn Umar, Jabir ibn 'Abdullah, Jubayr bin Mut'im, Anas bin Malik, Bjalh bin Abd'h al-Tmymy al-Nbry, Malik bin Aws bin al-Hadathan, Nawful bin Iyas al-Hdhly, Rdad al-Lythy Wqal B'd'hm Abu, 'Abdullah bin 'Amir bin Rabi'a, Muhammad bin Jubayr bin Mut'im
Ahadith NarrationsSahih Bukhari: 4 Sahih Muslim: 1 [4]
References[1] [3] http://www.pbuh.us/prophetMuhammad.php?f=Re_10_AbdUrRahmaan [2] [4] http://www.muslimscholars.info/
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