The Noble Companion Dhu al-Bijadayn
(Translated)
https://www.al-waie.org/archives/article/20317
Al Waie Magazine Issue No. 478
Fortieth Year, Dhul Qi’dah 1447 AH corresponding to May 2026 CE
Rayan Issa - Iraq

The Messenger of Allah (saw) prayed for him after he was laid to rest in his grave,

«اللهم أني أصبحت راضيا عنه فارضَ عنه» “O Allah, I am pleased with him this morning, so be pleased with him.”

Dhu al-Bijadayn was the noble Companion Abdullah ibn Abd Nahm ibn Afif ibn Suhaim ibn Adi ibn Tha’labah ibn Sa'd ibn Adi ibn Uthman ibn Amr al-Muzani (may Allah be pleased with him). He was a close Companion of the Prophet (saw) and one of the People of the Suffah (the poor among the Muhajireen).

Dhu al-Bijadayn (ra) frequently recited the Quran and would recite it aloud in the mosque. The Prophet (saw) said of him, «إنه أوَّاه» “He is one who is deeply devoted (to Allah).” He went out with the Prophet (saw) on the expedition to Tabuk, and he prayed to Allah for martyrdom. He died in that expedition (may Allah be pleased with him).

Dhu al-Bijadayn (ra) is famous for his moving story of embracing Islam, his detachment from worldly life for the sake of Allah, and the Prophet’s (saw) great gesture at his burial. His name was Abdul-Uzza, but the Messenger of Allah (ra) changed it to the name “Abdullah”.

Abdullah, known as Dhu al-Bijadayn, was an orphan from the tribe of Muzaynah, raised by his uncle. His uncle used to give him gifts and treat him kindly. When his uncle learned that Abdullah had embraced Islam, he said to him, “If you do this and follow the Deen of Muhammad, I will take everything I have given you.” Abdullah replied, “I am a Muslim.” So his uncle took everything he had given him, even stripping him of his clothes. Abdullah went to his mother, who cut her cloak in two. He used one half as a loincloth and the other as a cloak. The next morning, Dhu al-Bijadayn prayed the Salah of Fajr with the Messenger of Allah (saw). After the Salah, the Messenger of Allah (saw) looked around to see who had come to him, as was his custom. The Messenger of Allah (saw) saw Abdullah and asked, «من أنت؟» “Who are you?” Abdullah replied, "I am Abd al-Uzza." The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, «أَنتَ عَبْد اللَّهِ ذو البِجادين، فالزم بابي» "You are Abdullah Dhu al-Bijadayn. Stay at my door." So Abdullah stayed at the door. The Messenger of Allah (saw) frequently glorified Allah, magnified Him, and declared His oneness. Umar asked, “O Messenger of Allah, is he a prince?” The Prophet replied, «دعه عنك، فإنه أحد الأواهين» “Leave him be, for he is one of the most devout.”

Dhu al-Bijadayn accompanied the Messenger of Allah (saw) and lived with him. He was a devout and virtuous man, frequently reciting the Noble Quran. He passed away during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (saw).

Al-A’mash narrated, on the authority of Abu Wa’il, on the authority of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (ra), that he said, “It is as if I see the Messenger of Allah (saw) during the Battle of Tabuk, at the grave of Abdullah Dhu al-Bijadayn, with Abu Bakr (ra) and Umar (ra) lowering him into it. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

«أَدنِيا مني أخاكما» ‘Bring your brother closer to me.’ So he took him from the direction of the qibla until he placed him in his grave. Then the Messenger of Allah (saw) left, and they (Abu Bakr and Umar) took over the task. When he finished burying him, he faced the qibla, raising his hands and saying,

«اللهم إني أمسيت عنه راضيًا فارض عنه» ‘O Allah, I was pleased with him this evening, so be pleased with him.’ Ibn Mas’ud said, ‘By Allah, I wished I were in his place, and I had embraced Islam fifteen years before him.’"

It was also narrated through another chain of transmission that Abu Bakr (ra) said, “By Allah, I wished I were the one in that grave.” Muhammad ibn Ishaq reported that he died during the Battle of Tabuk. He narrated from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Harith, on the authority of Ibn Mas’ud, regarding his death. The Prophet (saw) prayed for him, as previously mentioned, and said, Abdullah bin Mas’ud said, “I wish I had been the one in the grave.” This was narrated by the three compilers of hadith.

O Allah, by Your mercy, be pleased with us and gather us with the master of the first and the last of the Ummah, the Prophet (saw), and his noble and blessed Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.