The First Muslim Man

Zayd is the only companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned by name in the Quran which concerned his divorce from Zainab (رضي الله عنها): “When Zayd no longer wanted her, We gave her to you in marriage.” [33:37] Zayd Ibn Haritha’s (ra) nickname was “the beloved of the beloved ﷺ”. The character of the Prophet ﷺ is exhibited in relationships he had with people before Islam was revealed, and his relationship with Zayd is one of them.

Zayd was short and dark skinned, a shy kind of a boy who remained in the service of the Prophet (pbuh) till the end of his life. The Prophet (pbuh) treated him like his own son. When the Divine revelation came to the Prophet (pbuh), he was among the first ones to accept it. Zayd (ra) was the first freed slave to become a Muslim. His life and the choices he made exemplify what it means to love the Prophet ﷺ. He was the first amir appointed by the Prophet (ﷺ) to lead the Muslim army in the battle of Mu’ta. He was the first man to embrace Islam after Khadijah (رضي الله عنه). When still a small child (8 years old) he was travelling in a caravan when it was attacked by the tribe of Banu Qais. He was taken as a slave and sold in Makkah to Hakim-bin-Hizam who purchased him for his aunt Khadijah (رضي الله عنه), who offered him as a present to the Prophet (ﷺ) at the time of her marriage to him.

Zayd’s father was in immense grief at the loss of his son and roamed about in search of him. Zayd met some people of his clan during their pilgrimage to Makkah and sent a letter to his father assuring him that he was quite well and happy with his noble master. Zayd’s father and uncle came to Makkah with sufficient money to ransom zayd and approached the Prophet (ﷺ) to free him so they could take him back. The Prophet (ﷺ) gave him the free choice to go back with his father but he refused saying, “How can I prefer anybody else to you? You are everybody for me, including my father and uncle.”

On this the Prophet (ﷺ) took Zayd in his lap and said, “From today, I adopt Zayd as my son.” His father and uncle were quite satisfied with the situation and gladly left him with the Prophet (ﷺ). After this, everyone began to refer to Zaid as, “Zaid-the Son of Muhammad”. The Prophet (pbuh) married him to his cousin Zainab bint Jash. This marriage however did not last. And even after repeated attempts of reconciliation, it ended up in divorce. After their divorce, the Prophet (pbuh) was instructed by Allah (swt) to marry Zainab. “When Zayd no longer wanted her, We gave her to you in marriage.” [33:37]

This was one of the breakthroughs in the Arabic culture where adopted sons were treated like their own sons and in this matter, a revelation came down, which abrogated the previous customs of adoption in pagan Arab.

“…Nor has He made your adopted sons your real sons. That is but your saying with your mouths. But Allah says the truth, and He guides to the (Right) Way. Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers, that is more just with Allah.” (Al-Ahzab 33:4-5)

Hazrat Umar’s son, Abdullah, said:

“We never used to call Zaid ibn Haritha anything except Zaid ibn Muhammad until the revelation was issued.” 

Furthermore, the revelation of this verse abolished inheritance by virtue of adoption.

Zayd was from then on known by his real name as Zayd ibn Haritha. This beloved of the Prophet (pbuh) stood by the Prophet’s side through all thick and thin. He was the one to accompany him (pbuh) to Taief. He was the one who fought many battles and in each battle was chosen by the Prophet (pbuh) as the commander of his army.

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said the following words:

یَا زَیْدُ اَنْتَ مَوْلَایَ وَمِنِّیْ وَاِلَیَّ وَاَحَبُّ النَّاسِ اِلَیَّ

“O Zayd! My friend, you and I are like one of the same persons. You are dearer to me than all other people.” (Al-Isaba Fi Tamyeez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 497, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1995)

Hazrat Ibn-e-Umar (ra) narrates:

“Hazrat Umar (ra) set an allowance for Hazrat Usama bin Zaid (ra) which was more than what I received.”  Hazrat Umar’s son is narrating this incident that Usama, who was the son of Zayd, was given an allowance which was more than his own. “I asked the reason for why his allowance was more. Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, ‘Usama, the son of Zaid, was dearer to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) than you and your father.’” In other words, Hazrat Umar (ra) is referring to himself that Hazrat Zaid (ra) was dearer to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) than himself. (Al-Isaba Fi Tamyeez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p. 497, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1995)

Aisha (ra) said, ”The Prophet never sent Zayd on an expedition but as a commander.”

It was in the battle of Mutah that this brave heart, with a kind soul, the beloved of RasulAllah (pbuh) was martyred in 8 A.H with a smile on his lips. He is believed to be buried in present day Jordan.