This is part two of the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh), if you haven’t read it, please do as it has the introduction to this three-part series.

Here are five more great men around the Messenger of Allah (saw).

Bilal Ibn Ribah (ra)

Did you know he was an Abyssinian sahabi who was also the first mu’adhdhin of Islam? At a young age he was sold as a slave and when he responded positively to the da’wah of our prophet (saw), he was tortured severely by his master, Ummaya Ibn Khalaf.

Bilal (ra) was freed by Abu Bakr (ra). He later made hijrah to Madeenah. He also fought many battles for Islam and slayed his former tormentor, Ummaya.

After the conquest of Makkah, Bilal (ra) climbed the top of the Ka’aba and called out the adhan with his beautiful voice.

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (ra)

Did you know he was a young shepherd boy who was also the sixth man to embrace Islam? He was also considered the best reciter of the Qur’an and the prophet (saw) is said to have told: ‘Whoever wants to read the Qur’an as fresh as when it was revealed, then let him read according to the recitation of Ibn Umm Abd (i.e. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud).’

Khabbab Ibn Al Aratt (ra)

Did you know he was one of the first ten people to embrace Islam? He belonged to the Banu Tamim tribe of Najd but was sold as a slave at a very young age. He was one of those who did not hide hia faith once he accepted Islam despite facing hardships. Even before Islam, Khabbab (ra) doubted the practices of the Quraish.

He was persecuted very badly in Makkah and the hijrah to Madeenah came as a relief to him. He was now happy to be in the company of the prophet (saw) without facing any persecution. He had participated in the battles of Badr, Uhud and other important battles.

Towards the end of his life, Khabbab (ra) had seen so much wealth that he had never done before in his life. However, this made him only stronger in his imaan and generosity. He kept all his dinars and dirhams in a part of the house which was accessible to the poor and needy.

He lived through the Khilafah of all the four Rashidoon – Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali (ra). Soon after he passed away, Khalifah Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) stood at his grave and said: “May Allah have mercy on Khabbab. He accepted Islam wholeheartedly; he performed hijrah willingly; he lived as a mujahid and Allah shall not withhold the reward of one who has done good.”

Salman Al Farsi (ra)

Did you know he was a Persian companion of the Prophet (saw) who gave the idea of digging up a trench around Madeenah in order to keep the kuffar army at bay during the battle of Khandaq?

He had set out from Persia as a young boy in search of the truth, coming in contact with the Christians and was eventually sold as a slave to a Jew from Madeenah. Salman (ra) had heard about the arrival of a Prophet from Makkah and after verifying the signs of the promised messenger from the older scriptures, he accepted Islam at the hands of the holy Prophet (saw).

He later went on to become one of the greatest Muslims on earth; a great warrior who fought many battles under the banner of Islam. He is also remembered for his administration skills as a governor; a scholar of highest eminence, and for his overwhelming generosity. Ali (ra) said of him that he was like Luqman the Wise, and Ka’b Al Ahbar said: “Salman is stuffed with knowledge and wisdom; an ocean that does not dry up.”

Hassan bin Ali (ra)

Did you know he was the grandson of the prophet (saw) and was the fifth Khalifah of the Muslims? His rule lasted only for 6 months because he later abdicated in favor of Mu’awiyah (ra to keep the unity among the Muslims. Compare this with our current rulers who would spill the blood of thousands of innocents just to remain in power!

Part three to follow…