Biographies - Abdullah ibn Masood

Abdullah Ibn Masoodرضى الله تعالى عنه was of the tribe of Banu Huzail
and was also the sworn ally of Banu Zahra.WhenAbdullah Ibn Masoodرضى
الله تعالىعنه was still a youth, not yet past the age of puberty, he
used to roamthe mountain trails of Makkahfar away from people, tending
the flocks of a Quraish chieftain, Uqbah Ibn Muayt. People called him
'Ibn Umm Abd', the son ofthe mother of a slave. His real name was
Abdullah and his fathers name wasMasood.
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنهmeets the Prophet
The youth had heard the news of the Prophet whom had appeared among
his people but he did not attach any importance to it both because of
his age and because he was usually far away from Makkan society. It
was his habit to leave with the flock of Uqbah early in the morning
and not return until nightfall.
One day while tending the flocks,Abdullah Ibn Masoodرضى الله تعالىعنه
saw two men, middle-aged and of dignified bearing, coming towards him
from a distance. They were obviously very thirsty and tired. They came
up to him, greeted him and said, 'Young man, milk one of these sheep
for us that we may quench our thirst and recover our strength.'
'I cannot,' replied the young man. 'The sheep are not mine. I am only
responsible for looking after them.'
The two men did not argue with him. In fact, despite their thirst,
they were extremely pleased at his honest reply. The two men were the
blessed Prophet himself and his companion, Abu Bakr Siddiq. They had
gone out on that day to the mountains of Makkahto escape the violent
persecution of the Quraish.
The young man in turn was impressed with the Prophet and his companion
and soon became quite attached tothem.
It was not long before Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه became a
Muslimand offered to be in the service of the Prophet . The Prophet
agreed and from that day, the fortunate Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله
تعالى عنه gave up tending sheep in exchange for looking after the
needs of the blessed Prophet . He was the sixth man to accept Islam.
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه remained closely attached to
the Prophet . He would attend to his needs both inside and outside the
house. He would accompany him on journeys and expeditions. He would
wake him when he slept. He would shield him when he washed. He would
carry his staff and his Siwak (toothbrush) and attend to his other
personal needs. It was forthese reasons that the Sahabah took to
calling him Saheb-e-Siwak (bearer of the siwak), Saheb-e-Nalaen
(bearer of the slippers), Saheb-e-Mutahara (bearer of the water) and
also Saheb-e-Wisadah (bearerof the bedroll).
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه received a unique training in
the householdof the Prophet . He was under the guidance of the Prophet
, he adopted his manner and followed his every trait until it wassaid
of him, 'He was the closest to the Prophet in character.' Abdullah was
often mistaken as one of the Blessed Household. Abu Musa Ashari رضى
الله تعالى عنه says, 'When we came from Yemen, we thought for some
time that Abdullah رضى الله تعالى عنه was a member of the Blessed
Household, because Abdullah رضى الله تعالى عنه and his mother were
constantly coming and going in the Prophet presence. Furthermore, the
Prophetonce said to Abdullah, "O Abdullah, you do not need permission
to enter my house. You are alwayswelcome."
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه was the best at reciting the
Qur'aan among the companions and he understood it better thanthem all.
He was therefore the most knowledgeable on the Shari'ah. Nothing can
illustrate this better than the story of the man whocame to Umar Ibn
al-Khattab رضى الله تعالى عنه as he was standing on the plain of
Arafat and said: 'I have come, O Amir al-Mumineen, from Kufa where I
left a man filling copies of the Qur'aan from memory.' Umar رضى الله
تعالى عنه became very angry and paced up and down beside his camel,
fuming.'Who is he?' he asked. 'Abdullah Ibn Masood,' replied the man.
Umar's anger subsided and he regained his composure. 'Woe to you,' he
said to the man. 'By Allah, I don'tknow of any person left who is more
qualified in this matter than he is. Letme tell you about this.' Umar
رضى الله تعالى عنه continued: 'One night the Messenger of Allah was
having a conversation with Abu Bakr رضى الله تعالى عنه about the
situation of Muslims. I was with them. When the Prophet left, we left
with him alsoand as we passed through the mosque, there was a man
standing in Prayer whomwe did not recognise. The Prophet stood and
listened to him, then turned to us and said, "Whoever wants to read
the Qur'aan as fresh as when it was revealed, then let him read
according to the recitation of Ibn Umm Abd."
After the Prayer, as Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه satmaking
supplications, theProphet said, "Ask and it will be given to you. Ask
and it will be given to you." I said to myself, I should go to
Abdullah IbnMasood رضى الله تعالى عنه straight awayand tell him the
good news of the Prophet's ensuring acceptance of his supplications. I
went and did so but found thatAbu Bakr رضى الله تعالى عنه had gone
before me and conveyed the good news to him. ByAllah, I have never yet
beaten Abu Bakr رضى الله تعالى عنه in the doing of any good.' In
another Hadith, the Prophet said, 'Learn the Qur'aan from four people,
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه , Salim Maula Abi Huzaifah رضى
الله تعالى عنه , Ubayy Ibn Kaab رضى الله تعالى عنه and Muaz Ibn Jabal
رضى الله تعالى عنه .' The Prophet has also said, 'Read the Qur'aan
inthe same manner as Abdullah Ibn Masood teaches.'
Note: The most popular and widely read Qiraat is that of Imaam Hafs.
He relates from Imaam Aasim Kufi and he in turn relates from Abu Abdur
Rahman Abdullah Ibn Habib As-Sulmiyi, who relates from Uthman Ibn
Affan, Ali Ibn Talib, Abdullah Ibn Masood, Ubayy Ibn Kaab and Zaid Ibn
Thaabit. They all, in turn, relate directly from the Prophet .
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه attained such a knowledge of
the Qur'aan that he would say, 'By Him besides Whom there is no Allah,
no verse of the book of Allah has been revealed without my knowing
where it was revealed and the circumstances of its revelation. By
Allah, if Iknow there was anyone who knew more of the Book of Allah, I
will do whatever is in my power to be with him.'
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه was not exaggerating in what he
said about himself. Once Umar Ibn al-Khattab رضى الله تعالى عنه met a
caravanon one of his journeys as caliph. It was pitch dark and the
caravan could not be seen properly. Umar رضى الله تعالى عنه ordered
someone to hail the caravan. It happened that Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى
الله تعالى عنه was in it.
'From where do you come?' asked Umar رضى الله تعالى عنه . 'From a deep
valley,' came the reply, using the Qur'aanicexpression – fajj
amiq.'And where are you going?' asked Umar.' To the ancient house,'
came the reply, using the Qur'aanic expression – al-bayt al-atiq.
'There is a learned person (alim) among them,' said Umar and he
commanded someone to ask the person, 'Which part of the Qur'aan is the
greatest?' 'Allah. There is no Deity except Him, the Living, the
Self-subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep,' replied the
person answering, quoting the Ayat al-Kursi (the verse of the
Throne).'Which part of the Qur'aan is the most clear on justice?'
'Allah commands what it just and fair, the feeding of relatives,'
'What it the most comprehensive statement of the Qur'aan?' 'Whoever
does an atoms weight of goodshall see it, and whoever does an atom's
weight ofevil shall see it.' 'Which part of the Qur'aan gives risk to
the greatest hope?'
'Say, O my servants who have wasted their resources, do not despairof
the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. He is the
Forgiving, the Compassionate.' Thereupon Umar asked, 'Is Abdullah Ibn
Masood among you? 'Yes, by Allah,' the men in the caravan replied.
The Prophet had always desired to make Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه a
leader of men, as it is clear from the following words of the Prophet
, 'If I was to make anyone a leader over someone without consulting
anyone, I would make Ibn Masood a leader.'
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنه would refrain from narrating
Hadith in fear of mistakes. However when he did narrate a Hadith, he
was very particular and precociousin what he attributed to the Prophet
. He would turn pale and quake in fear whenever he accidentally
attributed something to the Prophet, even though the Prophet has said,
'Whatever Ibn Masood narrates to you, believe him.' Whenever he gave a
verdict, he would attribute it to himself, saying that it was his own
opinion and that it was from Allah if it was correct and that it was
from himself and Satan, ifit was incorrect. For this reason, many
Fatwahs have been attributed to Abdullah instead of the Prophet .
Imaam Nisai writes in his Sunan: 'A man married a woman, then he
passed away before he could consummate his weddingor set a dowry for
his wife. When the issue wasplaced before the Sahabah, they advised
them to go to Abdullah. When they came to Abdullah, he tried to avoid
them and told them to ask someone else. Finally he relented and said,
"The woman will receive Mehr-e-Mithl.If the verdict is correct, it is
of Allah. If it is incorrect, then it is of Satan and I. Neither Allah
and the Prophet are responsible for it." A Sahabi by the name of
Maakal Ibn Al-Ashjai was also present and he said, "I swear by Allah,
you have given the same verdict that the Prophet gave in the favour of
Broan Bint Washile Al-Ashjai. Your verdict is in accordance with the
Prophet." On hearing this, Abdullah rejoiced as he had never rejoiced
before. The majority of Fatwahs of Iraq and the Hanafi Fiqh are based
upon the Fatwahs of Abdullah Ibn Masood His authority in Fiqh was such
that the other Sahabahwould refuse to give a Fatwah during while he
was still alive. They would always refer any seeker to him. Students
who wanted to enter his service and gainknowledge from him were always
constantly petitioning him.
Khatima Ibn Abu Subrah once went to Madinahand prayed for a pious
companion. Hurraira wasAllah's reply. Abu Hurrairaasked Khatima where
he had come from. He replied that he had travelled for two days from
Kufa. Abu Hurraira said to him, 'Is not Saad Ibn Malik, who is
Mustajab-ul-Dawat amongst you? Is not Ibn Masood, who was the bearer
of the Prophet slippers and ablution water amongst you? Is not
Huzaifah, who was privy to the Prophet thoughts amongst you? Isnot
Amar amongst you, who Allah granted refugefrom Shaytaan through the
Prophets tongue amongst you? Is not he who knows the two Divine Books
(the Qur'aan and the New Testament), Salman Farsi amongst you?'
Coincidentally, all the Sahabah . who Hazrat Abu Hurraira mentioned
were in Kufa at that time.
Hazrat Saad narrates, 'Once there were six of usin the service of the
Prophet . Besides me were Abdullah Ibn Masood and Bilal Habshee. Some
pagans ofMakkah came before the Prophet and began to say, "Remove
these people first, then we shall talk." The Prophet was still
considering whether sending us out would win over their hearts and
make them more receptive to Islam, when the following versewas
revealed: 'Send not away those who call on their Lord, morning and
evening, seeking His Face.' (Q6:52)
Saad proudly states, 'This verse was revealed for us.' Who can match
the status of those who are praised by Allah? The whole point of the
worship of Allah is the pleasure of Allah. These six attained the glad
tidings of Allah in their lifetime that Allah was pleased with them.
As anyone who has takenan in depth, study on the knowledge of the
Sahabah will tell you, the knowledge of the Sahabah climaxed in two
people, Ali and Abdullah.
On one hand, we have Allah, the Prophet and hisSahabah who sing the
praises of Abdullah Ibn Masood's excellence in knowledge and
character. On the other hand, we have a sect of narrow-minded and
totally unqualified people who, ironically, call themselves
Ahl-e-Hadith (the people of the Hadith), better known as the
Ghair-Muqalids (the leaderless), saying that Abdullah Ibn Masood
wasuninformed regarding the Prophet Salaah. Wasn't Abdullah Ibn Masood
the one who the Sahabah would mistake as one of the Blessed Household?
Wasn't he theconstant companion of the Prophet for thirty years? But
then, according to the Ghair-Muqalids, Ali and Saad were also
uninformed of the Prophet Salaah, and that all three of these great
Sahabah were in reality, non-entities.
Abdullah Ibn Masood wasthe first man to recite aloud the words of the
Qur'aan before a gathering of the Quraish. The companions of the
Prophet were together one day in Makkah. They were still few in
number, weak and oppressed. They said, 'The Quraish have not yet heard
the Qur'aan being recited openly and loudly. Who isthe man who could
reciteit for them?' 'I shall reciteit for them,' volunteered Abdullah
Ibn Masood. 'Weare afraid for you,' they said. 'We only want someone
who has a clan who would protect him from their evil.' 'Let me,'
Abdullah Ibn Masood insisted, 'Allah shall protect me and keep me away
from their evil.' He then went out to the mosque until he reached
Maqam Ibrahim (a landmark situated a few meters from the Kabah). It
was dawn and the Quraish were sitting around the Kabah. Abdullah began
to recite Surah Rahman. The Quraish looked at him intently and some of
them asked, 'What is Ibn Umm Abd saying? Damn him! He is reciting some
of what Muhammad brought!'
They began to slap his face but he continued reciting. When he
concluded his recital, his face was covered with welts and blood. 'By
Allah,' said Abdullah, 'the enemies of Allah are more uncomfortable
than I am at this moment.If you wish, I shall return tomorrow and do
the same.' 'You have done enough,' they said. 'You have made them hear
what they dislike.'
Abdullah Ibn Masood did Hijrat three times, twice to Ethiopia and once
to Madinah. He participated in every Gazwah. It was he who beheaded
Abu Jahl in Badr. It was to himthat the Prophet presented Abu Jahl's
sword as a share in the booty. The Caliph Umar sent Abdullah Ibn
Masoodto Kufa to educate the people and to take charge of the
Bait-ul-Maal. When Umar fixed salaries for the Sahabah, he offered
Abdullah a salary too. Abdullah refused and said, 'Why do you try to
turn me to the world.'
Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى عنهdeath
Abdullah Ibn Masood lived to the time of CaliphUthman. It was during
this era that he retired from his post and returned to Madinah. When
he was sick and onhis death-bed, Uthman came to visit him and said,
'What is your ailment?' 'My sins.' 'And what do you desire?' 'Themercy
of my Lord.' 'Shall Inot give you your stipendwhich you have refused
to take for years now?' 'I have no need of it.' 'Let itbe for your
daughters after you.' 'Do you fear poverty for my children? Ihave
commanded them to read Surah al-Waqiah every night for I have heard
the Prophet saying, "Whoever reads Al-Waqiah every night shall not be
afflicted by poverty ever."
That night, in either 33 or34 A.H, Abdullah Ibn Masood رضى الله تعالى
عنه passed away to the company of his Lord, his tongue moist with the
remembrance ofAllah and with the recitation of the verses ofHis Book.