Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The most widely accepted definition of a companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is someone who saw the Prophet and believed in him as well as died a Muslim. The Arabic translation of the word companion is Sahabi, thus companions (plural) become Sahaba

Ali Bin Abu Talib was the fourth rightly-guided Caliph. He followed in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Bakr, Omar, and Uthman, and ruled the Muslim Empire, according to the divinely revealed law of Allah, from approximately 656 to 661 CE.

It is reported in the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that during the battle of Khaybar, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) bestowed a great honour on Ali. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) informed his companions “tomorrow I shall give the standard (flag) to a man who loves God and His Messenger and is also loved by Allah and His Messenger, he does not flee the battlefield, and Allah will bring about victory through him”. The companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spent the night wondering who the flag would be handed too. Omar Ibn Al Khattab is believed to have said that it was the only time he longed for leadership, but this particular honour belonged to Ali

Muslim woman Sumayyah - may Allah be pleased with her. She was a slave and because they had accepted that no created thing deserved worship, only the Creator, she, her husband and her son were subjected to physical beatings.

Her torturer Abu Jahal became infuriated one day with her soft voice repeating, “There is no (true) deity except God!” He became so infuriated that he took a spear through her mid-section and made Sumayyah the first Muslim to die saying “There is no (true) deity but Allah!” May Allah be pleased with her!

Hamzah lbn Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet’s paternal uncle, was of a similar age to Muhammad and they played together as children. Hamzah enjoyed his life; he was strong and well respected. He seemed to be on a path of leadership but soon all his acquaintances were talking about Muhammad and how he was destroying the lifestyle they had come to enjoy. Hamzah found himself having to make a decision when one day he learned that Muhammad had been beaten and insulted by the men Hamzah had been friends with in his quest for the good life. He chose Muhammad and converted to Islam and in doing so, turned his back on a life of luxury and indolence. Hamzah knew Muhammad well, loved him like a brother and found that his decision was not a hard one to make

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “if there was to be a Prophet after me it would have been Omar ibn al Khattab”

Uthman Bin Affan was a man so loved by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that he was called the possessor of two lights. Uthman was married to Prophet Muhammad’s daughter Ruqiayah and when she died, he married Muhammad’s other daughter, Umm Kulthum, thus possessing the two lights

The Messenger (PBUH), clearly stated that ten of his companions would be in paradise. Ahmad reports from Sa`id ibn Zayd, and Tirmidhi reports from `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Awf, that the Prophet, (PBUH) said: "Abu Bakr will be in paradise, `Umar will be in paradise, `Uthman will be in paradise, `Ali will be in paradise, Talhah will be in paradise, Al-Zubayr will be in paradise, `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Awf will be in paradise, Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas will be in paradise, Sa`id ibn Zayd will be in paradise and Abu `Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah will be in paradise." Its isnad is sahih. [Sahih al-Jami` as-Saghir, 1/70, no. 50]

Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reciprocated the companions' love and devotion. “… Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow (paradise), to dwell therein forever.” (Quran 9:100)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “Abu Bakr is the one who accepted Islam without even the slightest hesitation

Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq and OmarBin Al-Khattab were the two companions closest to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ali Ibn Abu Talib is reported to have said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went out in the morning with Abu Bakr and Omar and he would return at night with Abu Bakr and Omar. The Prophet himself called Abu Bakr and Omar his eyes and ears, and said they were his advisers from the inhabitants of earth. (At Tirmidhi) Omar stood beside Prophet Muhammad in all the trials and tribulations that faced the Muslim Ummah

Bilal Ibn Rabah’s acceptance of Islam is a powerful story, involving slavery, acceptance of Islam, torture and rescue.

After the Muslims were victorious in Makkah, Bilal ascended to the top of the Kaabah, the house of God, to call the believers to prayer. This was the first time the call to prayer was heard within Islam’s holiest city