'Abdur Rahman Ibn 'Awf

The eighth person to embrace Islam, he migrated twice to Abyssinia. He was one of the ten persons (al-asharatu-l mubashshirin) who were assured of entering Paradise. He 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.\r\n 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 the upkeep of the family of Mohammed after the prophet's death and was universally renowned for his fabulous generosity.\r\n \r\nHis name was ’Abdul-Rahman bin ’Awf bin Abdul-Harith bin Zuhrah. His nickname was Abu \r\n\r\nMuhammad. The Companion ‘Abdul-Rahman bin ‘Awf (R) is one of those whom Allah’s Messenger\r\n\r\n(SAW) bestowed the glad tidings of Paradise. He was an early convert. He did not conceal\r\n\r\nreversion and didn’t hesitate due to fear of persecution. ‘Abdul-Rahman bin ‘Awf was one of the\r\n\r\nelite and chosen Companions as regards to truthfulness of belief, sincerity of the creed, fighting in\r\n\r\nthe way of Allah and spending for the sake of Him. He was a religious scholar, and the\r\n\r\nCompanions (R) used to believe what he narrated from Allah’s Messenger (SAW). He had a\r\n\r\nprofound religious knowledge and was a gifted teacher. He feared Allah much, even though he\r\n\r\nwas one of the ten who was given the glad tidings of Paradise. He was present in all the battles. \r\n\r\nOn the day of Uhud, when the Muslims fled except a few warriors, he was among those who \r\n\r\nremained to defend Allah’s Messenger (SAW). He was generous and openhanded without \r\n\r\nworrying about poverty. Even a verse was revealed for him(Al-Baqarah 2:262). He earned his \r\n\r\nwealth as a trader. He supported the Mothers of the believers a lot. Once Aisha (R) said: “May \r\n\r\nAllah the Almighty give ‘Abdul-Rahman bin ‘Awf from the sweet waters of Salsabil in Paradise.” His \r\n\r\nwealth increased due to the fact that: “Giving charity purifies, and augments the wealth of the \r\n\r\ngiver.” He used to rely on Allah first, and then his own efforts. Muhammad (SAW) said that he was \r\n\r\none of the most excellent Muslims. ‘Abdul-Rahman bin ‘Awf was one of the most dutiful to the \r\n\r\nMothers of the believers after the death of Allah’s Messenger (SAW). Allah’s Messenger (SAW) \r\n\r\nperformed the prayer behind him. None acquired such a glorious deed except he and Abu Bakr. \r\n\r\nCompanions of Muhammad (SAW) confessed he was virtuous and excellent in behavior. ‘Abdul-\r\n\r\nRahman bin ‘Awf (R) died in the 31st year A.H. at the age of 72. He was buried in Al-Baqi’. \r\n \r\nThe Brotherhood was made b/w him and Sa'd bin al-Rabi'.